Twins 34-34 on 6/18

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:07 pm

PS. I know it wont do any good to whine about all day games but come on.

Is it really true that no one would watch the As vs Twins but everybody is gonna tune into the Yanks vs Tigers. Why not do it the opposite? Boost your afternoon ratings and put the 'lesser' series on at night.

If everbody is so Boofin interested in watching the Yankees, put them on in the morning. The Oakland people have to tune in at 10AM. Ridiculous.

Id love it if we beat the As and then Boffed the Yankees in 6. Then those big market , fat cat, commie , east coast liberals could stick it in their ESPN.

Start spreadin the news, Im leavin today.....

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:39 am

Key to the series:
What makes the A's go? Big Frank. Frank may be big but he can have a fragile psyche at the plate if he doesn't produce. The A's don't have a lot of punch already and if the Twins can make Frank a no show like he was for the Sox in the 2000 playoffs, it will cut the heart out of their lineup. The Big Hurt has an evil alter ego, his name is Willie B. Twitchie. If Santana can baffle him early with men on, Willie will return for the entire series. If Willie returns you'll notice because he's the one that looks confused and will check swing a lot.

Frank can change uniforms and cities but he can't run from the past.

Go Twins.

larsey · Post by **larsey** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:23 am

Packerboy, you really have a way with words...Keep up the good work!

Now, let's go kick some A's

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:58 am

The Big Hurt will be an important out...especially with men on. I like Frank Thomas and I dont think he gets the respect he deserves. But he can go 0 for the series and it will be fine with me.

Speaking of liking guys like Thomas, allow me to digress a bit.

I turn on KFAN at about 7:30 this AM on the way in and of course they are talking about the NFL moron who stepped on his opponents head. They segue into how Greg Blue is really coming on and that Fred Smoot is inconsistent.

This is on the morning of the Twins opening the playoffs at home. No call in from former Twins players or people associated with the Twins. No.Lets analize whether criminal charges should be brought on the head stomp incident.

I watched a little bit of MNF last night and there was the usual chest thumping going on after making the most routine of plays.

Compared to baseball, the NFL is starting to make me sick. Its more like All Star Wrestling used to be. I keep looking for Vern Gagne and Marty Oneill to show up.

But its still the number one deal in town. Whats wrong with us?

Anyway, I am pretty pumped about going to the baseball game today with my son.

Let go Twins.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:43 am

I'm excruciatingly envious of you packerboy, taking jr to the game is something he'll never forget. Well Done!

Now if we can wait on the fastball and lay off the curve(not gonna hit it anyway), we should score on Zito.

I'm a little nervous about Santana throwing the change-up for strikes. The last couple of games it hasn't been close.

Go Twins!

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:05 am

Zito shut them out in June.

Harens shut them out a couple of weeks ago.

My mom used to always say: "Be careful what you wish for cuz you just might get it."

We wanted the As.

This will be a long series and a very good one. Much better than anything the ESPN knotheads will put on prime time.

If you thought the season was nail biting, this will put us in a Boofin straight jacket.

Are you ready for some baseball?

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:13 am

Like I said packerboy, the early morning KFAN show with Mike Morris is very football-centric. Frankly, I generally avoid listening to him. The ten minutes I listened to with PA and Dubay on the drive to work this morning at 9:00 was all Twins. They were liking the Twins chances with Santana potentially getting two starts at home.

Shanty's right, Thomas is a key to the Oakland lineup as their batting is the team's Achilles heel. Their leading hitter finished with a .296 average, they had a team BA of .260 vs. the Twins' .287, though they did hit more home runs than the Twins. If the Twins get early leads, it will be tough for the A's lineup to get back in the games.

Most of the experts are picking the Yankees to win the whole enchilada. I know the Tigers are reeling after their finish but I think they might give the Yankees a good fight.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:55 am

Other keys with be if Ellis and Chavez continue to do what they've not done all year, and that's hit. Both are sub .250, well below where they belong. Hopefully they don't decide to do a season's worth of work in one week.

Great point Neutron, lay off the Zito deuce and wait for the heater. Zito can't throw 106 breakers today, look for the heat, hit the heat, see the heat fly.

A few years back when Loaiza had his big year the Twins finally solved him by Sept, they did so by laying off his excellent cutter and abused his average fastball. This approach works today and tommorow.

Blue Breeze · Post by **Blue Breeze** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:38 am

Did anybody see that quote by Chavez?

Apparetly last week he said he would rather play the Twins, since after Johan they have nobody. Odd coming from a someone who hit .241.

Game 1 is pivotal, we can't afford to lose game's at the Dome when Johan is pitching. Hopefully we can jump out early and play with the lead.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:46 pm

Pivotal, but not imperative. It's now in the books and Boof must deal tomorrow. Championship teams face adversity and respond. I guess we'll see what unfolds tomorrow. Are they a championship team or a playoff participant?

Those on the ledge, come on in. This result isn't surprising, Zito did what I thought he could. What I didn't count on was the mistakes. Botched DP, Castillo not advancing Bartlett in the 8th, Frank leaving the perimeter twice.

The Twins managed to go 0-6 in games 2,3,4 in '03-'04. I can't see any reason why these A's can't start their own run this year.

As long as there continues to be a next game, that will be the most important one.

The meat of the order must produce tomorrow. The easiest way to break a funk is to not get into one.

Hit 'em up!

ChrisK · Post by **ChrisK** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 3:02 pm

Had to follow the game on the web, it looked like Johan was dominant except for one bad inning. And Crain giving up that run in the 9th didn't help either.

As we worried might happen, Thomas did the most damage, going 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs. Shanty's right, we don't need to find any ledges yet but I think the key is not going into game 4 facing elimination and forced to start either Santana on 3 days rest or <shudder> Silva with the season on the line. Of course, with the way this team has operated this season it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility for them to face that situation and end up winning the series.

goldy313 · Post by **goldy313** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:00 pm

Santana pitched well except Frank Thomas hit him well going 2-3 and the lone out was preceded by a towering shot that was just foul. The difference in the game was twofold, Frank Thomas and the Twins 3-6 hitters going 1-15 and had Milton Bradley not lost that ball in the 9th it would have been 0-15. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that the Twins can't hit good breaking balls worth a lick, note Mark Redmans last two outings, and Zito is just that a breaking ball pitcher.

Coming into the series I thought the difference between Oakland and Minnesota was small and it would come down to Zito vs. Santana. As much as we Twins fans like the odds of Santana pitching twice I think A's fans think the same of Zito, figuring Zito will get his and they only need 1 more. I like the pitching matchups the Twins have in games 2 and 3, but after that it's a crap shoot; Harden at home vs Silva is scary and Zito against Santana is a toss up.

The way the Twins hit slop I'm suprised Gardy didn't let Redman DH, Castillo and White (two veterens) gave the Twins their only good at bats of the day. Hunter is a free swinger and the rest of the Twins looked scared to take a first pitch strike against the guy who was second in the AL in walks.

EREmpireStrikesBack · Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:28 am

Why did we swing? Did noone in the dugout notice what I did at the dome, he was throwing 50% strikes, 50% balls. Odds are you are going to get into some nice 3-0 or 3-1 counts and either let him walk you or hit the easy stuff he is gonna have to throw. This is basic stuff!

My last gripe is why didn't we bring in Neshak to pitch to Frankie T? You have Neshak against him, then Reyes against Chavez and Crain to finish it off or even have Reyes finish it off against Payton. That run made a huge difference as did not getting Bartlett in because of some more basic fundamental breakdowns.

Here's to hoping tomorrow's game goes a lot better.

Btw, Jeter 5-5... damn he's good. And so are those Yanks!

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:14 am

I was watching ESPNews last night and the playoff update turned into an impromptu Twins eulogy delivered by the Reverand Jeff Brantley. Boy, it only took him 2 hrs and 19 minutes to jump off the Titantic that is the Twins playoff run. Rev. Brantley is of the persuation that the Central Division Champs can not overcome Santana's devastating game 1 home loss. What Brantley and the other Bristol Geniuses don't know is that the Cowboy that is poised and set to draw at high noon today has become a verb within the land of 10,000.

The Twins seem to play their best when the pressure mounts. How many times did this team put together a great road trip only to look lethargic in the opener of a homestand where it looked like they were ready to drop the hammer. The Twins lost openers on 7/13, 7/28, 8/10, 8/29, and 9/7 by a combined score of 23-8, including shutouts at the hands of the Royals and Jays.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 8:18 am

I Shant be afraid.

Today is our Boofday.

Happy Boofday to us.

Hey Gardy, Nevin? I would only put Nevin at the plate if I was expecting pitcher retaliation.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:01 am

After any loss one can always question the one making the decisions
1) I want Castillo to bunt in the 8th, at home you can play for a tie, get Bartlett to third, Castillo is good enought to even bunt with 2 strikes.
2) Good point Neut, Nevin shouldn't have another meaniful AB from this point forward.
3) Good point Empire, Neshek should have been out there to start the 9th, Frank will not hit Neshek. Someone in the clubhouse should do some research and see what Frank's numbers are against the sidewinding slingers. How has Frank hit MacDougal, Contreras or Jeff Nelson over the years.

Today's agenda
Don't allow Frank to beat you, if someone else steps up that's the way it is, but you can't let the Big Hurt be the difference maker again.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:31 am

Win today, split out there and come home to win game 5.

I didnt think the Twins would sweep so one loss to Zito shouldnt be cause for despair.

I had a great time at the game. It was good baseball. Exciting, tense game.

Why did the Twins lose? Ahhh....hmmm, let me see now,aaah...I know, they didnt sign another pitcher.

A lot is made about a couple of mistakes but they lost because they didnt hit the ball. Period.

From my seat it looked like they were getting pitches to hit but not taking advantage.

When Santana made a mistake...ouch. He pitched great.

Wang gave up 3 runs in 7 innings and is the game 1 winner for the Yanks.

In fairness to the Twins hitters , they hit in tough luck. Mauer's line drive was right at the LF with Barlett on third and 2 out. If that drops, we arent taliking about Castillos failed bunt.

Moreau hit the ball hard but couldnt find a hole.

All of the balls hit in the 9th inning were hit well.

I dont know if I have mentioned this before but here's the deal: Hit the ball and win. If they hit the ball they will beat Oakland.

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:45 am

packerboy wrote: I had a great time at the game. It was good baseball. Exciting, tense game.

.

Amen, that is what playoff baseball should be. Didn't see much of the game but the 8-9th were fantastic.

Easily the best game of the day yesterday.

Every pitch meant something, would've loved to been there when Cuddyer's fly dropped. Nothing like getting the tying run to the dish late.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:25 am

Has anybody mentioned that all you have to do is hit the ball?

Hit the ball and win, is what I've always said.

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:31 am

Interesting concept. I 'll have to think about it for awhile.

I have been kind of on the fence on that issue.

I was thinking that all you had to do was have a good pitcher who throws a shutout and never make a mistake.

This is a whole new way of looking at things.

Hitting as an important part of baseball....hmmmm.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:44 am

Once again I'm relegated to 30 second updates. Two day games is bull. Boofin NY exec's. I ALMOST hope somebody goes postal.

Go Twins!

Hit the Ball!
^^^^^^^
My new mantra...

Irishmans Shanty · Post by **Irishmans Shanty** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:15 pm

Today is already looking better, Gary Thorne and Rick Sutcliffe have replaced Joe Morgan and Johny Miller in the booth. I guess the worldwide leader reads their emails.

Three up three down for Booooooooooooooof.

Let's get some runs.

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:38 pm

Boof-da, well done Bonser.

GIT-ER DONE!!!!!!

packerboy · Post by **packerboy** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:02 pm

They've played 3 and the Twins already have 2 hits, both singles. Wow!

Now Boof can relax. All he has to do is shut them out for 7 innings and theyll have a chance.

HIT THE BALL!

Neutron 14 · Post by **Neutron 14** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:08 pm

Good job stranding Frank on third. Whew...

Now where are are beloved piranhas?