Two things regarding KFAN, first they are the station that broadcasts the Viking games so of course they're going to have a lot of Viking coverage and second, the guy on at 7:30 am is Mike Morris a former Viking player, so of course he's going to talk a lot of football. During the rest of the day the topics are a lot more diverse, particularly during Chad Hartman and Dan Barreiro's shows. In his blog on KFAN's website, Barreiro says regarding the Twins: "For regular-season entertainment and brilliance, this is the best Minnesota has seen in a long, long time."
You have a point on attendance. They were getting respectable crowds when school wasn't in session but other cities have the same issue and only two games had lower crowds than the Twins-KC on Monday, White Sox at Cleveland and Cubs at Cincinnati.
Unfortunately, I won't be at the dome on Thursday as I have to work, but I'll be at the Friday and Saturday games. Wish I could see Radke pitch, it's possible it'll be the last time out for him.
Twins 34-34 on 6/18
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
A lot of Viking coverage? Its an absurd amount.
Turn them on in the middle of June when the Twins are starting to heat up and they are playing good baseball and they are still talkin about the draft and how they can hardly wait for Mankato to open up.
I realize that KFAN is the home of the Vikings but all year round in drive time?
I dont listen to it during the day so I wouldnt know. They seem to be TWolves, Vikings heavy whenever I listen. Wild are only mentioned when Lou Nanne comes on.
Turn them on in the middle of June when the Twins are starting to heat up and they are playing good baseball and they are still talkin about the draft and how they can hardly wait for Mankato to open up.
I realize that KFAN is the home of the Vikings but all year round in drive time?
I dont listen to it during the day so I wouldnt know. They seem to be TWolves, Vikings heavy whenever I listen. Wild are only mentioned when Lou Nanne comes on.
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EREmpireStrikesBack
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Irishmans Shanty
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Well Packerboy about a week ago I heard my guy Steve Stone talking about MVP candidates. At the time he was building a case for Jermaine Dye. Stone's rationale was based on the idea that many of Dye's hits decided games. He said Dye was the one constant on a borderline great, contending team. In addition, he had the season long stats to back up the award. Stone's opinion doesn't have a Chicago bias as he has become a national spokesman, therefore, if he is leaning towards Dye, there's no doubt where the Chicago media is going. Right now the talk is all about the collapse. However, once the dust settles and the individual awards become their only thing to cling to, Dye will be trumpeted as the MVP in these here parts.
Morneau has the numbers but he doesn't have the body of work yet. I believe voters take themselves a little too seriously and see their award as more than it should be. The voters don't want to give the MVP to a guy who could end up being the hitting coach for the Winnipeg Goldeyes down the road. I'm not saying Morneau will fade into obscurity, but if Jeter and to a lesser extent, Dye, did not play another game, they would have a place in baseball history. Morneau is not there yet. Morneau could walk with the greats by the time he is done or he could become another Steve Balboni, Glenn Davis, or Cory Snyder.
Though Stone didn't put it quite this way that was the tone he had when discussing a worthy MVP winner.
Morneau has the numbers but he doesn't have the body of work yet. I believe voters take themselves a little too seriously and see their award as more than it should be. The voters don't want to give the MVP to a guy who could end up being the hitting coach for the Winnipeg Goldeyes down the road. I'm not saying Morneau will fade into obscurity, but if Jeter and to a lesser extent, Dye, did not play another game, they would have a place in baseball history. Morneau is not there yet. Morneau could walk with the greats by the time he is done or he could become another Steve Balboni, Glenn Davis, or Cory Snyder.
Though Stone didn't put it quite this way that was the tone he had when discussing a worthy MVP winner.
Thanks IS.
I am not one of the many who demand that the MVP be from a playoff team. Making the playoffs is a team accomplishment and team accomplishments shouldnt be a factor in individual awards. BUT it seems like I am in a very big minority in that opinion (not a completely unheard of occurrence)
So if it shakes out that making the playoffs doesnt matter much this year than Ortiz has to be a huge favorite.
It cant go to Jeter over Morneau. So if Morneau doesnt get it because of his lack of tenure, then Big Pappi should win.
BTW, remember Jeff Burroughs. He won it in 1974 with about the same experience Morneau has. But he is the only one that I can remeber and your point is well taken.
I think Morneau should win it if making the playoffs is a big criteria. If it isnt this year than Ortiz should win it.
If either Jeter or Dye win, Ill be Boofed.
I am not one of the many who demand that the MVP be from a playoff team. Making the playoffs is a team accomplishment and team accomplishments shouldnt be a factor in individual awards. BUT it seems like I am in a very big minority in that opinion (not a completely unheard of occurrence)
So if it shakes out that making the playoffs doesnt matter much this year than Ortiz has to be a huge favorite.
It cant go to Jeter over Morneau. So if Morneau doesnt get it because of his lack of tenure, then Big Pappi should win.
BTW, remember Jeff Burroughs. He won it in 1974 with about the same experience Morneau has. But he is the only one that I can remeber and your point is well taken.
I think Morneau should win it if making the playoffs is a big criteria. If it isnt this year than Ortiz should win it.
If either Jeter or Dye win, Ill be Boofed.
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Blue Breeze
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I would have no problem with Dye winning it. He has been the only bright spot for that team and has carried the team within contention until the final week of the season.
Nor would I have a problem with Ortiz, he is the game's best power hitter and an ambassador for the game as well.
Jeter would bother me. If he is an MVP candidate, why not Mauer? Mauer has a higher average, handles the pitching staff, and is a Gold Glove caliber catcher. Jeter is a good player, but is not a Gold Glove defender, not is he the best hitter in his lineup. I would rather face Jeter than A-Rod, Sheffield, or Matsui. If Jeter is a candidate, why not Cano? What he has done is similar to Jeter. They are a different team with Cano in the lineup. Hopefully he doesn't get the lifetime achievement MVP.
Nor would I have a problem with Ortiz, he is the game's best power hitter and an ambassador for the game as well.
Jeter would bother me. If he is an MVP candidate, why not Mauer? Mauer has a higher average, handles the pitching staff, and is a Gold Glove caliber catcher. Jeter is a good player, but is not a Gold Glove defender, not is he the best hitter in his lineup. I would rather face Jeter than A-Rod, Sheffield, or Matsui. If Jeter is a candidate, why not Cano? What he has done is similar to Jeter. They are a different team with Cano in the lineup. Hopefully he doesn't get the lifetime achievement MVP.
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Stitch Lips
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Larry I know ...
Liriano will be pitching in the play-offs.
Mock mah werdz!
Mock mah werdz!
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Irishmans Shanty
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The positive of last night is that Carlos has given us some more clarity to the playoff rotation.
Can the division be won? Not likely. As explained during the broadcast last night the Tigers will get the division in case of a tie because they won the season series with the Twins. With four to go the Twins are basically two back. My math says the Twins need to win out and the Tigers must drop two of four to leap past them. This scenario is not likely with KC moving on to Detroit.
Foil up boys, it looks like its going to be the Yanks in the Bronx next Tues.
Can the division be won? Not likely. As explained during the broadcast last night the Tigers will get the division in case of a tie because they won the season series with the Twins. With four to go the Twins are basically two back. My math says the Twins need to win out and the Tigers must drop two of four to leap past them. This scenario is not likely with KC moving on to Detroit.
Foil up boys, it looks like its going to be the Yanks in the Bronx next Tues.
I've got a bunch of old ballgames on tape that I recorded from Classic Sports back in the days when I had cable and I was watching game 5 of the 1972 World Series with my son yesterday. Late in the game Rollie Fingers comes out to face the Big Red Machine and Classic Sports puts up some info that says Fingers won the Cy Young AND the MVP in 1982.
While that gives an idea of how good Fingers was, it leads me to wonder why Santana hasn't been brought up as an MVP candidate. I know we've done it but it doesn't seem like there's been much national discussion. There is an understandable bias against pitchers winning the award, but considering the state of the Twins' rotation this year Santana has been as valuable as Morneau to the Twins. In fact, I'd say that taking Santana out of the rotation would have hurt the team slightly more than taking Morneau out of the lineup.
Let's hope Radke pitches well tonight. After last night's performance Silva is on shaky ground and I'm not looking forward to seeing him start any playoff games. Sid Hartman points out that the Twins only had 2 decent starters in 1987, but the additional series makes it tougher to get by with a thin rotation now.
The Yankees have set their rotation for the first three playoff games, Wang, Mussina and Johnson. Wang has become the ace of the staff but I like the Twins chances with Santana on the hill. Mussina has been tough against the Twins but Bonser (or Radke if he's well enough to go) should give them a chance. While Johnson has not had a good year, he's still an imposing presence. The Twins will likely counter with Garza and might do well if he pitches as he's capable of doing but that's a big if.
At the KC game on Tuesday my brother in law pointed out that he thought the Twins seem to have more trouble with soft tossing junkballers like Mark Redman. Thinking about it now, it seems like they've had trouble with a variety of pitchers, what do you guys think?
While that gives an idea of how good Fingers was, it leads me to wonder why Santana hasn't been brought up as an MVP candidate. I know we've done it but it doesn't seem like there's been much national discussion. There is an understandable bias against pitchers winning the award, but considering the state of the Twins' rotation this year Santana has been as valuable as Morneau to the Twins. In fact, I'd say that taking Santana out of the rotation would have hurt the team slightly more than taking Morneau out of the lineup.
Let's hope Radke pitches well tonight. After last night's performance Silva is on shaky ground and I'm not looking forward to seeing him start any playoff games. Sid Hartman points out that the Twins only had 2 decent starters in 1987, but the additional series makes it tougher to get by with a thin rotation now.
The Yankees have set their rotation for the first three playoff games, Wang, Mussina and Johnson. Wang has become the ace of the staff but I like the Twins chances with Santana on the hill. Mussina has been tough against the Twins but Bonser (or Radke if he's well enough to go) should give them a chance. While Johnson has not had a good year, he's still an imposing presence. The Twins will likely counter with Garza and might do well if he pitches as he's capable of doing but that's a big if.
At the KC game on Tuesday my brother in law pointed out that he thought the Twins seem to have more trouble with soft tossing junkballers like Mark Redman. Thinking about it now, it seems like they've had trouble with a variety of pitchers, what do you guys think?
No everyday Eddie
How can a guy who is a part of 25 of his teams wins be the MVP?
Thats why pitchers dont get the MVP.
A playoff team has to win 90+ ball games. It has to have guys who take part in 150+ ballgames . Justin Morneau is out there 'everyday'. He is a part of almost all of the wins. If Morneau played every 5th day, they wouldnt be .500.
I know how important Santana is, but I dont know how you can compare the 2. Its almost like they play different sports.
Which, once again, is why we have the Cy Young.
There have been exceptions. Pedro won it a few years back. Usually when a pitcher has won, there was no monster year from a regular player who was in the playoffs.
Santana will win the Cy Young.
The Twins offense is susecptible to any kind of quality pitching.
Thats why pitchers dont get the MVP.
A playoff team has to win 90+ ball games. It has to have guys who take part in 150+ ballgames . Justin Morneau is out there 'everyday'. He is a part of almost all of the wins. If Morneau played every 5th day, they wouldnt be .500.
I know how important Santana is, but I dont know how you can compare the 2. Its almost like they play different sports.
Which, once again, is why we have the Cy Young.
There have been exceptions. Pedro won it a few years back. Usually when a pitcher has won, there was no monster year from a regular player who was in the playoffs.
Santana will win the Cy Young.
The Twins offense is susecptible to any kind of quality pitching.
Packerboy wrote:
"The Twins offense is susecptible to any kind of quality pitching."
But packerboy, Redman pitched another good game last night, after getting absolutely lit up by the Tigers last time out. I would call Redman a fair to middling pitcher. It seems like they've been baffled on occasion by a wide array of pitchers, does anyone see a pattern or a particular type of pitcher they have trouble with?
"The Twins offense is susecptible to any kind of quality pitching."
But packerboy, Redman pitched another good game last night, after getting absolutely lit up by the Tigers last time out. I would call Redman a fair to middling pitcher. It seems like they've been baffled on occasion by a wide array of pitchers, does anyone see a pattern or a particular type of pitcher they have trouble with?
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Blue Breeze
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Pedro didn't win it, he finished 2nd. But point taken. That year he went 23-4 with an ERA in the low 2's, so it's hard to imagine Santana even sniffing the race.Pedro won it a few years back
The only thing that bothers me is the argument. Good pitching pervades most of the good teams, yet they often seem to ignore pitches in the MVP race.
If you argue that Santana only has a hand in 35 of the team's games, couldn't you argue that Ortiz only has a hand in half of his team's game since he doesn't play in the field? Maybe I am reaching, but it seems that someone like Jeter or Morneau who is handling the ball in the infield a lot has an impact in all phases of the game, whereas Ortiz only has an impact on 4 plays per game.
I had it in my head that he won it.
Anyway, your point about the DH is one shared by many and there definately exist a bias against the DH as MVP.
BUT
1. The DH does indeed play everyday, even if not in the field. He doesnt just do his thing every 5 days.
2. Defensive ability does play a role in the MVP vote but its not that high on the list. Killlebrew won it. Does Dye make a difference with his glove?
Should Dye win the MVP because he trots out to LF every inning?
If Dye wins a Gold Glove it might over come the fact that his offensive numbers are well below Pappis but otherwise....
No matter what we say, it is difficult to compare a Dye who doesnt make the playoffs to a Morneau who does and to a Ortiz that doesnt but look at his numbers and on and on.
ARod won it in 03 (I think or maybe I imagined that too) when he was with Texas and they didnt make the playoffs. I think his numbers that year where about Ortiz like.
Chris, Redman is not a good pitcher. But he shuts down the Twins for 7 plus innings. Everbody is all concerned about the rotation for thr playoffs. I think the pitchers will be fine.
I am more concerned about the offense shutting down.
Anyway, your point about the DH is one shared by many and there definately exist a bias against the DH as MVP.
BUT
1. The DH does indeed play everyday, even if not in the field. He doesnt just do his thing every 5 days.
2. Defensive ability does play a role in the MVP vote but its not that high on the list. Killlebrew won it. Does Dye make a difference with his glove?
Should Dye win the MVP because he trots out to LF every inning?
If Dye wins a Gold Glove it might over come the fact that his offensive numbers are well below Pappis but otherwise....
No matter what we say, it is difficult to compare a Dye who doesnt make the playoffs to a Morneau who does and to a Ortiz that doesnt but look at his numbers and on and on.
ARod won it in 03 (I think or maybe I imagined that too) when he was with Texas and they didnt make the playoffs. I think his numbers that year where about Ortiz like.
Chris, Redman is not a good pitcher. But he shuts down the Twins for 7 plus innings. Everbody is all concerned about the rotation for thr playoffs. I think the pitchers will be fine.
I am more concerned about the offense shutting down.
Salaries or no salaries, Leyland should win Manager of the year. The Tigers Over/Under for wins going into the year was 68 while the Twins was 87. I did a ittle checking and the only team I could find in the past 20 years with a plus 25 on the opening line was the '91 Braves. The Tigers will go 30 over their projected win total and with all due respect to the Baseball Tonight "experts" the Vegas oddsmakers numbers are usually closer to reality. For example the Twins, Oakland, Yankees, Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox, and Padres will all be with in 10 games of their preseason win totals, that's a minimum of 94% accuracy.
Big game tonight for the Twins, I hope Radke can give them 4 solid innings and then feel good tommorrow. Having him in the playoffs gives them 2 legit starters with playoff experiance and good rookie in Bonser.
Big game tonight for the Twins, I hope Radke can give them 4 solid innings and then feel good tommorrow. Having him in the playoffs gives them 2 legit starters with playoff experiance and good rookie in Bonser.
You make a good argument packerboy that the MVP has to play in most of the team's games but my opinion is that the most valuable player should be the one that made the most difference to his team.
If you look at the numbers alone, both Santana and Morneau have strong cases. Santana leads the major leagues in ERA, K's, WHIP and is tied for the lead in wins and IP. On the surface his numbers are not as good as other pitchers who have won the MVP, but in context he has had a dominant season. And pitchers have won the MVP so it's not unprecedented, since 1956 when the Cy Young was introduced here are the names: Don Newcombe (1956), Sandy Koufax (1963), Bob Gibson and Denny McLain (1968), Vida Blue (1971), Rollie Fingers (1981), Willie Hernandez (1984), Roger Clemens (1986), and Dennis Eckersley (1992). Since the start of the Golden Age of the Steroid-Laced Home Run the hitters have dominated except for Pedro's 2nd place finish in 1999.
Meanwhile, here are the current numbers for Morneau, Jeter, Dye and Papi:
Name-HR-RBI-AVG-OBP-SLG
Morneau-34-129-.323-.378-.566
Jeter-14-96-.340-.414-.483
Dye-43-119-.316-.386-.619
Ortiz-54-137-.286-.406-.636
Another player that's put up really good numbers but probably won't get consideration is Travis Hafner. If Jeter didn't play for the Yankees his name wouldn't even come up as an MVP candidate. He has no power and doesn't lead the league in hitting. According to the statheads, he's an overrated fielder. He plays on a team loaded with good hitters, so what does he add to it? Sorry, my anti-Jeter bias is showing, but the numbers back me up. I wouldn't have a problem with Dye or Ortiz winning it as they've got better numbers than Morneau, but both guys played on non-playoff teams. At this point I'd be inclined to vote for Santana because he's been the duct tape that's held the Twins staff together this year and he's put up dominant numbers.
It'll be interesting to see how the NL MVP ends up, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols are both putting up monster numbers. If either guy was in the AL they'd be the frontrunner.
Packerboy, I may be the doom and gloom guy regarding the Twins' staff but I also agree that the hitters have to avoid the occasional lapses that they've had this season. What I'm wondering is if there's a pattern to the lapses or if they just pop up randomly. Redman has pitched two good games against the Twins just slopping the ball up there, is he the kind of pitcher that'll give the Twins fits in the playoffs?
If you look at the numbers alone, both Santana and Morneau have strong cases. Santana leads the major leagues in ERA, K's, WHIP and is tied for the lead in wins and IP. On the surface his numbers are not as good as other pitchers who have won the MVP, but in context he has had a dominant season. And pitchers have won the MVP so it's not unprecedented, since 1956 when the Cy Young was introduced here are the names: Don Newcombe (1956), Sandy Koufax (1963), Bob Gibson and Denny McLain (1968), Vida Blue (1971), Rollie Fingers (1981), Willie Hernandez (1984), Roger Clemens (1986), and Dennis Eckersley (1992). Since the start of the Golden Age of the Steroid-Laced Home Run the hitters have dominated except for Pedro's 2nd place finish in 1999.
Meanwhile, here are the current numbers for Morneau, Jeter, Dye and Papi:
Name-HR-RBI-AVG-OBP-SLG
Morneau-34-129-.323-.378-.566
Jeter-14-96-.340-.414-.483
Dye-43-119-.316-.386-.619
Ortiz-54-137-.286-.406-.636
Another player that's put up really good numbers but probably won't get consideration is Travis Hafner. If Jeter didn't play for the Yankees his name wouldn't even come up as an MVP candidate. He has no power and doesn't lead the league in hitting. According to the statheads, he's an overrated fielder. He plays on a team loaded with good hitters, so what does he add to it? Sorry, my anti-Jeter bias is showing, but the numbers back me up. I wouldn't have a problem with Dye or Ortiz winning it as they've got better numbers than Morneau, but both guys played on non-playoff teams. At this point I'd be inclined to vote for Santana because he's been the duct tape that's held the Twins staff together this year and he's put up dominant numbers.
It'll be interesting to see how the NL MVP ends up, Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols are both putting up monster numbers. If either guy was in the AL they'd be the frontrunner.
Packerboy, I may be the doom and gloom guy regarding the Twins' staff but I also agree that the hitters have to avoid the occasional lapses that they've had this season. What I'm wondering is if there's a pattern to the lapses or if they just pop up randomly. Redman has pitched two good games against the Twins just slopping the ball up there, is he the kind of pitcher that'll give the Twins fits in the playoffs?
Blue Jays beat Tigers again this aft so a win tonight and its a tie. If we win tonight and sweep the Whiteys who knows.
,
So in this situation we start Radke? Thats right ,good ole guts and guile and 3 HRs by the 4th inning.
Well, tonight he is pitching against time, against age, against ending.
Tonight he will make the fateful walk to the lonliest spot in the world, the pitching mound at the Dome.
Maybe he can push the sun back up into the sky and give us one more day of summer.
The toilet seat with the lid on it that is the Metrodome tonight belongs to a Radke.
,
So in this situation we start Radke? Thats right ,good ole guts and guile and 3 HRs by the 4th inning.
Well, tonight he is pitching against time, against age, against ending.
Tonight he will make the fateful walk to the lonliest spot in the world, the pitching mound at the Dome.
Maybe he can push the sun back up into the sky and give us one more day of summer.
The toilet seat with the lid on it that is the Metrodome tonight belongs to a Radke.
The Toilet Dome
Geez packerboy, I wouldn't flush the division title away just yet. With the adrenaline surging and the chance to pitch again in the playoffs I'd put money (or a beverage at the Liffey in March?) on 'Ol' Guts and Guile' Radke plugging away for 5 innings and giving up 2 runs or less. It's not like he's facing the Yankees or anything.
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Irishmans Shanty
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Most - constituting or forming a large number, large considerable number of persons/things (dictionary.com)
Valuable - having considerable monetary worth, having qualities worthy of respect, admiration, and/or esteem (dictionary.com)
Player - a person or thing that plays, a person who takes part or is skilled in some game or sport (dictionary.com)
MVP - player that a team can least afford to be successful without, individual who makes teammates better simply by being present and accounted for(Irishmans Shanty)
According to how I see the world, the League MVP goes to the player that makes their league better by simply competing, it goes to the player who puts the most butts in the bleachers, it goes to the player who drives up advertising costs, it goes to the player who makes all teams play at a higher level because they raise the bar, it goes to the player who makes his league superior to the only other one in existence.
I've always been confused by what this award is identifying because the title can rarely be applied to anyone who meets my criteria. Now if the League wanted to identify a Most Outstanding Player, I can understand that, or maybe MVP is code for Most Outstanding.
In anycase, the definition of the award is up to the voters and I guess that's what makes it great. If there weren't gray areas in sports what we would we have to discuss.
Valuable - having considerable monetary worth, having qualities worthy of respect, admiration, and/or esteem (dictionary.com)
Player - a person or thing that plays, a person who takes part or is skilled in some game or sport (dictionary.com)
MVP - player that a team can least afford to be successful without, individual who makes teammates better simply by being present and accounted for(Irishmans Shanty)
According to how I see the world, the League MVP goes to the player that makes their league better by simply competing, it goes to the player who puts the most butts in the bleachers, it goes to the player who drives up advertising costs, it goes to the player who makes all teams play at a higher level because they raise the bar, it goes to the player who makes his league superior to the only other one in existence.
I've always been confused by what this award is identifying because the title can rarely be applied to anyone who meets my criteria. Now if the League wanted to identify a Most Outstanding Player, I can understand that, or maybe MVP is code for Most Outstanding.
In anycase, the definition of the award is up to the voters and I guess that's what makes it great. If there weren't gray areas in sports what we would we have to discuss.
Sure they're throwing Radke tonight, but they threw ratty Carlos Silva out there last night and the alternative is Baker both have ERA's over 6. Gardy has already said that Santana won't pitch Sunday no matter what so the divison title is secondary to the post season, that's exactly why you start Radke tonight, to see if he can pitch in the post season.
Interesting note on baseball, today is September 29, on September 20 the Houston Astros were 8.5 games out of first, after beating Pittsburgh this afternoon they are 1 game out, 2 in the loss column. St. Louis has a game that they have to make up on Monday if it means anything.
Interesting note on baseball, today is September 29, on September 20 the Houston Astros were 8.5 games out of first, after beating Pittsburgh this afternoon they are 1 game out, 2 in the loss column. St. Louis has a game that they have to make up on Monday if it means anything.
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Blue Breeze
- Posts: 931
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 1:31 pm
Radke went out and pitched great tonight. 5IP, 0 ER. I think he has earned a spot as the # 3 starter.
Mauer with one of the bigger home runs of the season, and if we win the division, we can point to that moment as the reason.
Hopefully we can sweep a White Sox team that has essentially quit on the season and the Royals can sneak 1 or 2 from Detroit.
Mauer with one of the bigger home runs of the season, and if we win the division, we can point to that moment as the reason.
Hopefully we can sweep a White Sox team that has essentially quit on the season and the Royals can sneak 1 or 2 from Detroit.
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Irishmans Shanty
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- Joined: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:38 pm
The backside of the Royals' "Nasty Boyz" combo once again proved to be just that. Don't worry, these games are only relevant to the divisional race. The sudden disappearance of hitting against two starters from a 100 loss team is no predictor of next weeks fate just as hitting the ball all over the yard the last couple of nights wouldn't guarentee greatness either.
Come Tuesday, nothing matters but the next pitch.
Mauer's blast last night is a predictor to what he will do in the future. Barring injury, this will be his lowest HR and RBI output of the prime years of his career. Mauer will not become a 30+ guy like Morneau, but he should punch into the 20's with ease beginning next year.
I didn't see the end of Radke's outing or hear any follow up to it. I assume he departed in as good a condition as he started the game. If so, and he rebounds well today and tommorow, he's your game 2 starter.
Foe becomes friend as the Royals fly east. I don't know if they'll win a game in Detroit, but I do know they will try. Royals have one win against the Tigers this year. Is it possible the Tigers could go 18-1 against them this year? No, the Royals will muscle out at least one this weekend putting destiny in the Twins' hands.
Come Tuesday, nothing matters but the next pitch.
Mauer's blast last night is a predictor to what he will do in the future. Barring injury, this will be his lowest HR and RBI output of the prime years of his career. Mauer will not become a 30+ guy like Morneau, but he should punch into the 20's with ease beginning next year.
I didn't see the end of Radke's outing or hear any follow up to it. I assume he departed in as good a condition as he started the game. If so, and he rebounds well today and tommorow, he's your game 2 starter.
Foe becomes friend as the Royals fly east. I don't know if they'll win a game in Detroit, but I do know they will try. Royals have one win against the Tigers this year. Is it possible the Tigers could go 18-1 against them this year? No, the Royals will muscle out at least one this weekend putting destiny in the Twins' hands.
Say its so Joe
Thats was a classic last night.
Hopefully the Royals will be as fiesty vs the Tigers.
I hope you are right about the offense IS because these Royals pitchers have not been effective vs anybody else.
Go Twins. Sweep Sox.
ChrisK, if I would have seen your post before the game, I would have taken the bet so I owe you one at the Liffey on Thursday between sessions. Just dont drag in Sparlimb, Stitch Lips or VideoScout and his alter ego Bluesbuddy with you for a freebie too.
Hopefully the Royals will be as fiesty vs the Tigers.
I hope you are right about the offense IS because these Royals pitchers have not been effective vs anybody else.
Go Twins. Sweep Sox.
ChrisK, if I would have seen your post before the game, I would have taken the bet so I owe you one at the Liffey on Thursday between sessions. Just dont drag in Sparlimb, Stitch Lips or VideoScout and his alter ego Bluesbuddy with you for a freebie too.
Jeff Passan on Yahoo gives his thoughts on the end of season awards (you might have to be a Yahoo member to read):
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns
He picks Jeter as the AL MVP, using the traditional numbers, the sabermetric numbers, situational hitting, demand of position, clubhouse leadership and team success as his criteria. Apparently Jeter's sabermetric numbers are better than Ortiz's. He has Santana third and Morneau fourth behind Jeter and Ortiz. He gives Santana the Cy Young and notes that Santana could win a quadruple crown if he ends up leading the AL in innings pitched, strikeouts, victories and earned-run average, the first player since 1945 to do so. And he picks Gardy as the AL manager of the year award.
Of course it wasn't against the Evil Empire, but Ol' Guts and Guile pitched quite well last night. It sounds like they'll wait till the weekend to see how he feels before making a decision but if he can go he'll be out there. It sounds like it was an emotional game last night, can you imagine what the dome will be like next Friday when he walks out to pitch against the Yankees?
Shanty, I know the games right now are relatively meaningless in terms of evaluating the Twins hitters but they have had a number of games this year where they've done nothing. Sometimes it's been against good pitchers, sometimes not, but I thought it might be useful to find out if there was any pattern to it or a type of pitcher that baffled them which might be useful in evaluating their chances in the postseason. It would probably take a sabremetrician to really go through the numbers and find anything.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns
He picks Jeter as the AL MVP, using the traditional numbers, the sabermetric numbers, situational hitting, demand of position, clubhouse leadership and team success as his criteria. Apparently Jeter's sabermetric numbers are better than Ortiz's. He has Santana third and Morneau fourth behind Jeter and Ortiz. He gives Santana the Cy Young and notes that Santana could win a quadruple crown if he ends up leading the AL in innings pitched, strikeouts, victories and earned-run average, the first player since 1945 to do so. And he picks Gardy as the AL manager of the year award.
Of course it wasn't against the Evil Empire, but Ol' Guts and Guile pitched quite well last night. It sounds like they'll wait till the weekend to see how he feels before making a decision but if he can go he'll be out there. It sounds like it was an emotional game last night, can you imagine what the dome will be like next Friday when he walks out to pitch against the Yankees?
Shanty, I know the games right now are relatively meaningless in terms of evaluating the Twins hitters but they have had a number of games this year where they've done nothing. Sometimes it's been against good pitchers, sometimes not, but I thought it might be useful to find out if there was any pattern to it or a type of pitcher that baffled them which might be useful in evaluating their chances in the postseason. It would probably take a sabremetrician to really go through the numbers and find anything.
Twins Playoff Rotation
Twins Playoff Rotation was announced today as follows:
Game 1-Santana
Game 2-Bonser
Game 3-Radke
Game 4-TBA
Game 1-Santana
Game 2-Bonser
Game 3-Radke
Game 4-TBA