Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 8-30-23.
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Yankees release Josh Donaldson. Maybe it wasn’t us, it was him.
Twins Split First Two with Guardians
It’s still a six-game lead for the Twins after splitting the first two at home against Cleveland. The series finale is this afternoon.
A night before Byron Buxton is set to make a rehab start in centerfield, Michael A. Taylor hit his 20th home run. What can we expect out of Buxton once he comes off the injured list? Taylor is only hitting .228 but Buxton isn’t exactly setting the world on fire. This team is on a pretty good run right now, would Rocco risk the team’s chemistry by putting Buxton in the outfield for the first time in more than a year?
Alex Kirilloff plays for St. Paul tonight, too.
One more thought - Royce Lewis is your best player, at least right now. He hit his ninth home run last night. He’s batting .315 which is like batting .450 in this lineup. Rocco slotted him sixth last night. He should be hitting third or fourth every game. Every game. Veterans like Carlos Correa (0-for-4, .224) be damned.
Sonny Gray and Tanner Bibee in a pitchers’ duel today. Both starters’ ERA’s are around 3.00.
Women’s Pro Hockey is Back in Minnesota, but Not the Whitecaps
The good news is women’s professional hockey is back in Minnesota. At first, Minnesota wasn’t expected to be included in the new (and only) six-team Women’s Professional Hockey League, which is backed in part by tennis legend Billie Jean King.
But “Minnesota” was announced as an original six team yesterday, along with New York, Toronto, Ottawa, Boston and Montreal.
No word yet as to where the Minnesota franchise - which will have a new name - will call home. The Whitecaps were a long fixture on the east side of the Cities, before relocating to Richfield this past season. The league has alluded to some neutral site games, perhaps in NHL arenas.
A 24-game regular season will start in January. In future years, a 32-game regular season will start earlier.
Free agency starts soon, with a Sept. 18 draft in Toronto to follow. Average annual salary of $55,000, which means women’s pro hockey has come a long way (but still has a long way to go).
Vikings Set Final Roster
Three of the Vikings’ 53-man roster are undrafted free agents, including special teams catalyst NaJee Thompson. It was originally reported he was being cut, but that turned out to be wrong. The brash Georgia Southern product said earlier this summer that he’s the best special teams player in the country.
Only three offensive tackles - two of which were hurt a lot last year - and six safeties, among some surprises.
Still 11 days till the season opener against Tampa Bay on Sept. 10.
Loons Host Last-Place Colorado Tonight
Seven of the Loons’ home games this season have ended in a tie. They’ll need better than that to climb out of (or stay in) the wild card spot they currently hold.
So tonight at home against a three win in 24 games Colorado squad seems to be a must win.
Lynx Lose Second Straight
Just when two straight wins made it seem like the Lynx was on a roll, they’ve lost two straight including 83-72 last night in Washington. Only four regular season games remain, starting Friday at home against Atlanta.
A week ago, a top four seed in the playoffs seemed possible. Now they’re in seventh, which would mean a date with New York in the best-of-three first round. The Liberty has spanked Minnesota a couple times this year.
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