In the most important series of the season, the Minnesota Twins rise to the occasion, taking two of three from the Guardians in Cleveland. David and Dan discuss the bizarre but thrilling first game of the series and the big moments in Game 2, which had both of them feeling better about the Twins' chances of winning the division than at any previous point this season. They discuss the big hits from Royce Lewis and Donovan Solano as well as the less important home runs from Joey Gallo and Kyle Farmer. David wonders which remaining home series he should attend, while Dan asks whether the Twins would actually consider a piggyback in the playoffs. They also look around the league at achievements by an Astros all-star and a Phillies slugger. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

Andrew "Hoges" Hoganson fills in for a traveling David to discuss the first-place Minnesota Twins' disappointing split of a home series with the Cleveland Guardians, two games apiece. The series featured a marvelous comeback and shutout followed by two offensive duds, leaving both Hoges and Dan to ponder just how opposite this series felt from the games between these teams last year. They discuss how Rocco Baldelli's hands were tied due to injuries to Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, and they also look at how the reliability of bullpen arms has shifted just over the last couple of weeks. Dan asks again when the Twins will simply move on from right fielder Max Kepler, while Hoges wonders who exactly could be counted among the team's "A" lineup right now. They both heap praise on the heroics of Royce Lewis, who seems to be OK after a scary Game 4 injury, and they look ahead to the next series -- a key three-game set at Tampa Bay. Thanks for listening, and go Twins!

Music: "Minnesota Twins Theme" (1961) written by Ray Charles and Dick Wilson. Arrangement and performance by Jason Cain.

Twitter:
@MNfortheWin
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MNfortheWin
Website:
https://mnforthewin.buzzsprout.com/

Puckett's Picks Scoring

1pt per Base (H/BB/HBP) | 1pt per SB | 1pt per RBI
-1pt per K | -1pt per Error | -1pt per GIDP

Tie Breaker
1. Most HRs
2. Least Ks
3. Least LOB

Listeners always pick first, lowest score between Dan/David/Hoges picks second for next series

For decades, some of America’s most beloved sports teams played with imagery trading on outdated, offensive racial stereotypes. It wasn’t until very recently — with the public calling foul and sponsors pulling their support —  that some sports brands relented and rebranded. In this episode of A Change of Brand, we dive into the murky waters of controversial sports branding with designer and creative director Jon Contino.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.