Denard Span was out tonight, and is still day-to-day after experiencing symptoms. That put Carlos Gomez in the lead-off spot. Not the a winning strategy. Of course he then decides to draw a lead-off walk, and then score on Swing's home run. Delmon "Everything" Young's sac fly made it 3-0 and the rout was on.
Jeff Man(he's sinking the)ship thought otherwise, and after bumbling along for two innings, he gave lost the lead and his composure before giving way to Francisco Liriano, who seems perfectly comfortable cleaning up other pitchers' messes. Just not his own. He was pulled after giving up his billionth lead of the year. Franchise doesn't really fit in the bullpen right now. He doesn't fit in the rotation either, and neither does Manship. There's a reason Gardy's lined up the Detroit series to specifically avoid throwing Jeff out there in the most important series of the season.
The offense resembled the early-season, where everything came from long balls, doubles and home runs. Not the Twins' usual way, but effective nonetheless. And good thing too. This was probably the hardest win to come by against the Sox, and the Twins won. Here's hoping they can sweep this one tomorrow.
Something to consider: The Twins have six games against the Royals outside of the Detroit series, and Detroit has six against the White Sox. Two of those games will be against Zack Greinke. Advantage Detroit. It's still an uphill battle, especially with the level of crapitude to which the Sox have dumped. Maybe they'll snap out of it in time to pound Detroit. I can't believe I just rooted for the pale hoes.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sleeping on it...
... and having done so, am still worried about the Span beaning. When he's hot, the Twins' offense clicks. When he's not (like on Sunday), they don't score runs. Unless O-Cab steps it up like he did last night. Denard's day-to-day, but I doubt he plays tonight. I just hope Gardy doesn't move Orlando "Swing" Cabrera into Span's spot.
There was a game played last night, but it was pretty unremarkable. Blackburn ran into little trouble, and the Twins took advantage of their opportunities. Hard to call any win at this point "ho-hum," especially against a despicable team with the most despicable announcer in all of baseball, but the Sox are out of it, and it's just the Twins taking care of business against an inferior club.
Tonight's matchup of Manship and Danks could provide some more drama. Especially if Jeff decides revenge is in order. Hopefully on Gordon Beckham.
There was a game played last night, but it was pretty unremarkable. Blackburn ran into little trouble, and the Twins took advantage of their opportunities. Hard to call any win at this point "ho-hum," especially against a despicable team with the most despicable announcer in all of baseball, but the Sox are out of it, and it's just the Twins taking care of business against an inferior club.
Tonight's matchup of Manship and Danks could provide some more drama. Especially if Jeff decides revenge is in order. Hopefully on Gordon Beckham.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Minnesota wins 3 of 4
Jim Leyland's wisdom on the non-existence of pitching momentum held true, as Scott Baker couldn't build on Duensing and Pavano's success nor on his own personal run of effective pitching. He cruised through four innings, with an rbi double that Jason Kubel played into a triple marking Baker's only mistake. Until the fifth that is. The lead-off walk to Gerald Laird is what really hurt Scott. All the hits didn't help either. There was no doubt about any of those hits. Whatever the Tigers did to adjust, Baker was unable to respond.
I tried as hard as I could to avoid any Vikings updates, but wearing my AD jersey to the Twins game undid me, as everyone who saw it thought it best to spoil whatever surprise awaited in the DVR. You can imagine how I felt overhearing "10-7 Lions" and "Adrian Peterson fumble" from the loudmouths behind me.
The Twins batters responded as long as they could, but Nate Robertson (NATE ROBERTSON) stumped them with his 86 mph fastball. It was all they could do to scratch out a single run in separate innings. I had a feeling that Washburn being scratched would be a bad thing, and I think I was right. I can't imagine such a Cuddfire, Kubel noodle, and Spaneurysm all on the same day. I hope it doesn't happen in Chicago.
The tide turned after halftime, eerily similar to last week, as HalfDay found some daylight for the go ahead touchdown. The question still remains though: will the defense come up with those key turnovers against a quality offense? The 49ers aren't a powerhouse, but their running game exploded against the Seahawks. Maybe the Lions and Browns have underrated O-lines/RBs. I doubt it. For whatever reason, the Vikes' vaunted run defense just surrendered 129 yards rushing to THE LIONS. The Niners will be a real test for the entire team. We'll see if they're up for it.
Francisco Liriano plays the voodoo doll of the Twins season. As his (never good) fastball was crushed and the walks piled up, the Twins struggled in mediocrity. Then in August he really hit the wall, before falling off the map to the disabled list. Well he's back, just like the Twins' season. And just like their early season struggles, he gave the Tigers the breathing room to avoid the late inning heroics of the prior nights. The winning streak is over, but just as the Twins lost "momentum," they can gain it right back just as quickly.
I tried as hard as I could to avoid any Vikings updates, but wearing my AD jersey to the Twins game undid me, as everyone who saw it thought it best to spoil whatever surprise awaited in the DVR. You can imagine how I felt overhearing "10-7 Lions" and "Adrian Peterson fumble" from the loudmouths behind me.
The Twins batters responded as long as they could, but Nate Robertson (NATE ROBERTSON) stumped them with his 86 mph fastball. It was all they could do to scratch out a single run in separate innings. I had a feeling that Washburn being scratched would be a bad thing, and I think I was right. I can't imagine such a Cuddfire, Kubel noodle, and Spaneurysm all on the same day. I hope it doesn't happen in Chicago.
The tide turned after halftime, eerily similar to last week, as HalfDay found some daylight for the go ahead touchdown. The question still remains though: will the defense come up with those key turnovers against a quality offense? The 49ers aren't a powerhouse, but their running game exploded against the Seahawks. Maybe the Lions and Browns have underrated O-lines/RBs. I doubt it. For whatever reason, the Vikes' vaunted run defense just surrendered 129 yards rushing to THE LIONS. The Niners will be a real test for the entire team. We'll see if they're up for it.
Francisco Liriano plays the voodoo doll of the Twins season. As his (never good) fastball was crushed and the walks piled up, the Twins struggled in mediocrity. Then in August he really hit the wall, before falling off the map to the disabled list. Well he's back, just like the Twins' season. And just like their early season struggles, he gave the Tigers the breathing room to avoid the late inning heroics of the prior nights. The winning streak is over, but just as the Twins lost "momentum," they can gain it right back just as quickly.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Getting warmer
The XCel was kind enough to have the Twins game on a few monitors in the concourse, but that's not why you go to a hockey game. So I missed most of the exciting parts. And there were plenty after the fifth as well.
Like Jose Mijares cleaning up yet another mess. It seems to come too easy for that guy. He's been nigh-unhittable for a few weeks now. It's good that he's heating up, because let's be honest: Joe Nathan needs a break. He hasn't blown a save since the Disaster-that-shall-not-be-named, but he's allowed baserunners, a homerun, and lots of high blood pressure in saving seven straight chances. Most of the trouble has come with two outs as well. You know what that suggests? Fatigue. He lost his command after getting two quick outs, and then he hit a wall, falling behind and walking Alex Avila, before leaving a fat one for Curtis Granderson to smack into the baggie. He recovered to jam Aubrey Huff into the game-winning soft liner, but the concerns remain. His velocity is down, he's walking more batters, and it's driving us up the wall. I'm going to start balding if he goes in for a consecutive day tomorrow.
I'm just being a mizer though. Tonight was a great win, a necessary win. The Twins are stepping up and seizing the Tigers by the tail.
Like Jose Mijares cleaning up yet another mess. It seems to come too easy for that guy. He's been nigh-unhittable for a few weeks now. It's good that he's heating up, because let's be honest: Joe Nathan needs a break. He hasn't blown a save since the Disaster-that-shall-not-be-named, but he's allowed baserunners, a homerun, and lots of high blood pressure in saving seven straight chances. Most of the trouble has come with two outs as well. You know what that suggests? Fatigue. He lost his command after getting two quick outs, and then he hit a wall, falling behind and walking Alex Avila, before leaving a fat one for Curtis Granderson to smack into the baggie. He recovered to jam Aubrey Huff into the game-winning soft liner, but the concerns remain. His velocity is down, he's walking more batters, and it's driving us up the wall. I'm going to start balding if he goes in for a consecutive day tomorrow.
I'm just being a mizer though. Tonight was a great win, a necessary win. The Twins are stepping up and seizing the Tigers by the tail.
Wait... Minnesota has an NHL team?
It's an exciting time to be a Minnesota sports fan. The Twins are hot, the Vikings have a cake schedule, and both the Wolves and the Wild have new regimes who have already mixed things up. I've hesitated to write about the Wild because hockey is a unique sport, and I haven't followed it for very long. Whatever though, if people who know things about hockey have problems with what I write, tell me. I'm still learning.
Most of the mass media don't like the Wild's chances this year. It is their thinking that Jacques Lemaire was the only reason they contended for a playoff spot at all. Jacques is a good coach, no doubt, but to say a system is more important than the players is foolish. The organization is thin on young prospects sure, and the big league talent can't measure up to, say the Blackhawks or Red Wings, but they will not be a pushover. They weren't pushovers last year, and they've added several good players (Havlat, Sykora, Brodziak) and Brent Burns returning is a huge boon.
I went to their preseason game tonight, and they dominated play throughout. It was rare when the Blue Jackets had possession of the puck in the Wild's zone, and even rarer when they had real scoring chances. The Wild were aggressive in bringing the puck into the offensive zone, and though they did dump-and-chase, they actually made it to the puck. Last year, they rarely dumped to do anything besides change.
Their defense and penalty kill didn't suffer much by the Wild's new aggression. Both Columbus power plays were incoherent, with very little possession in the defensive zone. Perhaps the Blue Jackets have a poor power play, which very well could be the case. During both power play kills, the Wild created some short-handed chances. Clutterbuck's second goal came on a sweet feed from Brodziak as the power play expired. That's how you win in any sport: turning defense into offense (except baseball, because that's impossible).
And Backstrom is still really good. The Wild are going to be the same: good. And exciting to watch for more reasons than fandom.
Most of the mass media don't like the Wild's chances this year. It is their thinking that Jacques Lemaire was the only reason they contended for a playoff spot at all. Jacques is a good coach, no doubt, but to say a system is more important than the players is foolish. The organization is thin on young prospects sure, and the big league talent can't measure up to, say the Blackhawks or Red Wings, but they will not be a pushover. They weren't pushovers last year, and they've added several good players (Havlat, Sykora, Brodziak) and Brent Burns returning is a huge boon.
I went to their preseason game tonight, and they dominated play throughout. It was rare when the Blue Jackets had possession of the puck in the Wild's zone, and even rarer when they had real scoring chances. The Wild were aggressive in bringing the puck into the offensive zone, and though they did dump-and-chase, they actually made it to the puck. Last year, they rarely dumped to do anything besides change.
Their defense and penalty kill didn't suffer much by the Wild's new aggression. Both Columbus power plays were incoherent, with very little possession in the defensive zone. Perhaps the Blue Jackets have a poor power play, which very well could be the case. During both power play kills, the Wild created some short-handed chances. Clutterbuck's second goal came on a sweet feed from Brodziak as the power play expired. That's how you win in any sport: turning defense into offense (except baseball, because that's impossible).
And Backstrom is still really good. The Wild are going to be the same: good. And exciting to watch for more reasons than fandom.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Leyland right and wrong
There is momentum in baseball, and it comes in the batter's box. The Twins' finished their very important sweep of the Indians having scored eighteen runs. All of this after losing Morneau for the season. Everyone but Swing (Cabrera) and Everything (Young) got a hit or scored a run, showing some balance to the line up that's been lacking. Especially encouraging excludes the off-base duo, but includes Matt Tolbert (2-4 while working the count), Michael Cuddyer (3-4 with power while not working the count), and Jose Morales hopefully showing Gardy that he should always be in the lineup (2-3 with power while working the count). The bottom of the order has been a problem for the Twins all season, but now they're starting to turn it around (getting Casilla out of the line up is helping immensely). Not that the Twins needed a huge offensive day.
Nick Blackburn was great. Striking some guys out, getting a key double play, and working efficiently until an 11 pitch at-bat to end the Indians' frame in the sixth. He threw nothing but heat until the eighth pitch of the at-bat, something that's happened with Scott Baker as well. Blackbeard won the at bat on a fastball, but only because he had mixed in some off-speed stuff to throw off the hitter. Nick was on pace to go the distance, but after that battle, he gave up three hits (including a homer) before exiting. He pitched great over all. It's a shame he wore himself out of a shutout.
The bullpen was shaky, but made the necessary outs with men in scoring position. At least we know now that Jesse Crain is not to be used in the eighth inning. And that Matt Guerrier needs tomorrow's day off more than anyone.
Something named Bonine is pitching for Detroit tonight. Feel good.
Nick Blackburn was great. Striking some guys out, getting a key double play, and working efficiently until an 11 pitch at-bat to end the Indians' frame in the sixth. He threw nothing but heat until the eighth pitch of the at-bat, something that's happened with Scott Baker as well. Blackbeard won the at bat on a fastball, but only because he had mixed in some off-speed stuff to throw off the hitter. Nick was on pace to go the distance, but after that battle, he gave up three hits (including a homer) before exiting. He pitched great over all. It's a shame he wore himself out of a shutout.
The bullpen was shaky, but made the necessary outs with men in scoring position. At least we know now that Jesse Crain is not to be used in the eighth inning. And that Matt Guerrier needs tomorrow's day off more than anyone.
Something named Bonine is pitching for Detroit tonight. Feel good.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Is this momentum?
I highly recommend the Twins' annual internship/job fair. $30 at the door mean access to twenty or so local sports-related companies, from the four major pro sports to some minor league teams to different broadcast companies, most offering internships of some kind. Oh yeah, did I mention a $31 ticket to the game, and a free hot dog and soda?
It's hard to really follow the details of the game at the Dome, near the right field foul pole. No view of balls and strikes. So take everything I write with a grain of salt. That said, Scott Baker has changed a bit. He's started to figure out how to strike people out. By missing lots of bats. Ten swinging strikes in just 5.1 innings. That adds up to a little under a strikeout per inning. Which is well above his career average. Of course, the two walks in five is what comes of what seems to be a new approach for Baker. His three starts in September: 16 K, 10 BB, 18 IP. He's striking more guys out, but in the process is giving out more free passes. Surprisingly, neither of tonight's cost him. It was instead a series of hard hits. He had gotten lucky with some liners finding gloves, it was only a matter of time before the luck ran out.
The explosion of the night before was lacking, but the Twins took their traditional approach of doubles and well-timed singles to chip away at the Tribe lead, before O-Cab taxied one just over the left field fence to tie it up. The momentum had shifted, and the Twins took a much needed two-run lead in the next inning. Nathan needed some "let's go Joe" cheers before stranding the tying run on second.
Funny that as writing this, ESPN plays an interview of Jim Leyland saying "there is no momentum in baseball, there's only tomorrow's pitcher." Which sounds like sage wisdom. Blackburn's pitching the day game tomorrow. I hope he keeps the momentum in the park.
It's hard to really follow the details of the game at the Dome, near the right field foul pole. No view of balls and strikes. So take everything I write with a grain of salt. That said, Scott Baker has changed a bit. He's started to figure out how to strike people out. By missing lots of bats. Ten swinging strikes in just 5.1 innings. That adds up to a little under a strikeout per inning. Which is well above his career average. Of course, the two walks in five is what comes of what seems to be a new approach for Baker. His three starts in September: 16 K, 10 BB, 18 IP. He's striking more guys out, but in the process is giving out more free passes. Surprisingly, neither of tonight's cost him. It was instead a series of hard hits. He had gotten lucky with some liners finding gloves, it was only a matter of time before the luck ran out.
The explosion of the night before was lacking, but the Twins took their traditional approach of doubles and well-timed singles to chip away at the Tribe lead, before O-Cab taxied one just over the left field fence to tie it up. The momentum had shifted, and the Twins took a much needed two-run lead in the next inning. Nathan needed some "let's go Joe" cheers before stranding the tying run on second.
Funny that as writing this, ESPN plays an interview of Jim Leyland saying "there is no momentum in baseball, there's only tomorrow's pitcher." Which sounds like sage wisdom. Blackburn's pitching the day game tomorrow. I hope he keeps the momentum in the park.
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