We discuss how the hell the Twins beat the Yankees in New York…twice, preview the Wild’s playoff draw, and determine that Timberwolves coach Chris Finch should be fired. 

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The Twins Whoop the Yankees? In New York?! Twice?!?!

• Twins beat Yankees 11-2?! 
  • Back-to-back-to-back dingers in the first inning by Michael A. Taylor (Tony’s guy), rookie Edouard Julien (in his second ever MLB plate appearance), and Carlos Correa (first day back from back spasms)
  • The nine runs Minnesota scored in the first inning is the most against the Yankees in franchise history, per Do-Hyoung Park
  • Yankees’ starter Jhony Brito lasted just two-thirds of an inning
  • Former Twin and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa pitched a scoreless ninth inning for New York
    • 19-year-old pitching prospect Alejandro Hidalgo is who the Twins still have from that trade involving Josh Donaldson, Gio Urshella, and Gary Sanchez
      • 13.4 K/9 last season in A-ball despite being almost three years younger than his competition
• Twins beat Yankees, AGAIN, 4-3?!
  • Carlos Correa was a monster, AGAIN, going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored
    • He also defended well
  • Starting pitcher Louie Varland got called up to start for Kenta Maeda today, and the Twins beat the Yankees, AGAIN, 4-3
    • He pitched well, going six innings allowing six hits and three runs, striking out eight and walking just one
  • Jose Miranda also went 2-for-4
  • Bullpen pitched three scoreless innings
    • Even Emilio Pagan!
    • Then Jorge Lopez!
    • Then Jhoan Duran!
• Twins are now 10-4 and have a 2.5-game lead over Cleveland and a 4.5-game lead over the White Sox

Wild Finish Third in the Central, Limp into the Playoffs

• Second-line center Joel Eriksson Ek remains listed as week-to-week with a lower body injury
  • Dates back to April 6 game at Pittsburgh
  • Wild will play Monday if the Avalanche beat Nashville tonight
    • Both teams played yesterday, with Nashville beating Minnesota in overtime
  • Dating back to March 15 (10 games, excluding the eight-plus minutes he skated in Pittsburgh) Ek has 12 points and averaged almost 19 minutes of ice time
    • If he’s not 100 percent, Frederick Gaudreau and Connor Dewar will have to step up big
    • Marco Rossi, Ek’s replacement on the first power play unit, was sent down to the Iowa Wild, which indicates Ek will play
• Filip Gustavsson earned the start in Game 1
  • 2-0-1 over last five games with a 2.95 goals-against average and 0.92 save percentage
  • Marc-Andre Fleury was 0-2-0 with a 3.56 goals-against average and 0.863 save percentage
    • If Gustavsson falters, expect a quick hook, but he’s cooler than the ice he plays on
• If the Wild get Dallas…
  • They’ll have to play more disciplined hockey
    • Minnesota had the seventh-most penalty minutes this season (925)
    • Dallas had the fifth-best power play scoring percentage in the NHL (25 percent)
  • They’ll have to block shots, which they do pretty well
    • Dallas had the seventh-highest shooting percentage (10.7 percent)
  • They’ll have to win five-on-five
    • Dallas has the third-best penalty kill in the NHL (83.5 percent)
  • They must take advantage of their best opportunities
    • Dallas allowed the third-fewest goals per game (2.62)
  • They must be the more physical team
• If the Wild get Colorado…
  • They again must play with more discipline
    • Colorado had the sixth-best power play in the NHL (24.9 percent)
    • Avs’ penalty kill ranked just 16th, however (79.3 percent)
  • The Wild must force the Avs’ top line to defend
    • Possession, possession, possession
  • The Wild must be volume shooters and rebounders
  • They, again, must be the more physical team

Timberwolves Collapse in the Fourth Quarter…Again! #FireFinch

• Entered the fourth quarter leading by seven; lost by six in overtime
  • Chris Finch’s offense was absent AGAIN in the fourth quarter in overtime
  • The Wolves scored just 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, allowing 29 to the Lakers
  • Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic wrote, “It’s been a problem under Finch this season and last, stagnant offense, iso-heavy possessions and little ball movement and cutting.”
• Is it time to fire head coach Chris Finch?
  • Anthony’s favorite cousin and NBA2K expert, Joel Varriano, said so on this show months ago
  • Anthony now agrees, regardless of what happens in the game against Oklahoma City

Brad’s Vikings Draft Thoughts

• The Vikings might be targeting Kentucky quarterback Will Levis
  • They’ll have to get into the top-15 to do so
  • Might have the highest ceiling and definitely has the strongest arm
  • Justin Jefferson should like that
• Brad thinks next year’s draft has a better QB class
  • Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Michael Pratt, Jordan Travis, and Bo Nix
• Dalvin Cooke may or may NOT be traded?