Twins season starts

Cheat sheet: The Minnesota Twins are kicking off their season in Baltimore this afternoon. Here are some baseball talking points:

• Don't say kicking off. That's a football term.

• Yes, it's still hockey season. Sports seasons have nothing to do with the actual seasons.

• It's hard to discuss baseball without mentioning food. "Cheese" refers to a fastball. "Rhubarb" is a fight. "Tater" means a home run. "Pepper" is a warm-up drill. A "table setter" is someone who gets into scoring position, putting the pitcher in a "jam." And let's not forget home "plate."

• Join us for a Season Preview with Twins President Dave St. Peter, former Twin Jack Morris and Star Tribune reporters, noon Monday, Star Tribune Atrium, 650 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.

Pick of the week: Dennis Curley's "Country Roads, the Music of John Denver" isn't so much a concert as it is a singalong — and, at times, a yodel-along. During the show at the Plymouth Playhouse, Curley encourages members of the audience to share their personal stories about where they were in their lives when the songs were popular and what memories are raised by hearing them again. And he urges them to sing with him — although he does request that they sing the same song he is. (plymouthplayhouse.com) And as for that yodeling, Denver fans know it's part of the refrain in "Calypso."

Day by day: Monday is national Tell a Lie Day. You can take our word for that.

recommended reading: Its audience dwindling, "American Idol" is singing its swan song this week. TV critic Neal Justin reflects on the onetime ratings juggernaut in Tuesday's Variety.

Jeff Strickler • Star Tribune2016