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Twins have won 3 straight series

Twins (24-25, 4th in AL Central) vs. White Sox (24-21, 3rd in AL Central)

Game One, Monday, 1:10 PM
Johan Santana, LHP, (5-4) 3.05 ERA vs. Jose Contreras, RHP, (4-4) 3.71 ERA

Game Two, Tuesday, 7:10 PM
Boof Bonser, RHP, (3-1) 3.88 ERA vs. John Danks, LHP, (3-4) 3.78 ERA

Game Three, Wednesday, 12:10 PM
Scott Baker, RHP, (1-0) 3.29 ERA vs. John Garland, RHP, (3-3) 3.43 ERA

Every starter in this series has an ERA in the 3's.

Tyner 3-4
Kubel 2-5
Punto 3-4

Somebody pinch me...

Ortiz heads to the bullpen, Slow-Like-Radke or Garza?

I won't pinch you but I will kick Ortiz's backside into the Bullpen for you. Amen, the cavalry has finally been signaled in by TR. Ortiz's demotion could be an incredible opportunity for him if he can get his stuff together. With Craine and Reyes down, Ortiz could earn a pretty important role on a playoff contender.

Jason Kubel has safely grounded out to second base in three straight games.

Whether the Twins are 10 under, .500, or 20 over beating the Sox never gets old.

Geez it's fun to listen to griping Sox fans!

Some interesting strategy yesterday in the 6th inning.

Twins down 4-3 but the first 2 guys reach on singles. Castillo up. Castillo is hitting .325. He bunts over the 2 runners for.............Nick boofin Punto and his lofty .230 average.

I dont get it. You give up an out with your .325 hitter so you can hope and pray your .230 hitter hits a ground ball to the right side and get one run and tie the game?

You have 2 guys on and a good average hitter up who rarely hits into a DP and you bunt.....with Punto on deck. Nonsense.

Well, it worked out because Punto hit a ground ball to the first baseman and the pitcher forgot to cover.

But hey Ozzie... anybody home? If they give you the out, bring in the infield.

Doesnet anybody know how to play baseball? Geez.

Punto turning it on... what is this world coming to?

I like Luis but he is a .325 hitter with nearly 40% of his hits being of the infield variety. I don't mind the bunt there with two on and none out. On the road you can't mortgage an out to tie the game in the 6th but at home you can.

Any strategy works when a journeyman backup catcher can clear the bases with a two-out double. The hit Redmond got yesterday is something this team has gone most of the season without.

Is there any reason Mauer can't bat 2nd when or if he returns? If Mauer can, I think Luis will be doing a lot more bunting.

EREmpireStrikesBack wrote:Punto turning it on... what is this world coming to?

And the Yankee's suck. Isn't life great! Pass the beer nuts...

Irishmans Shanty wrote:I like Luis but he is a .325 hitter with nearly 40% of his hits being of the infield variety. I don't mind the bunt there with two on

Why does that change your strategy? Something wrong with infield hits?

Plus, you want to avoid the issue of Punto being the next hitter. How many times has he popped up or struck out in that situation this year? I have zero faith in the him getting the run in.

I was listenng to the game so I dont know...if Ozzie brings in the infield , what happens on Punto's grounder?

packerboy wrote:

Irishmans Shanty wrote:I like Luis but he is a .325 hitter with nearly 40% of his hits being of the infield variety. I don't mind the bunt there with two on

1. Why does that change your strategy? Something wrong with infield hits?

2. Plus, you want to avoid the issue of Punto being the next hitter. How many times has he popped up or struck out in that situation this year? I have zero faith in the him getting the run in.

3. I was listenng to the game so I dont know...if Ozzie brings in the infield , what happens on Punto's grounder?

1. Infield hits don't score a guy from second base. Furthermore, my math tells me there is about an 85% chance Luis can't hit the ball safely to the OF to drive in that run. Lastly, some of Luis' infield hits would be force outs with men on first and second. At that point in the game I need productive AB from 1 and the bunt almost, almost guarantees it.

2. I have no faith in Punto either, that's why I have Luis bunt. When I'm behind late in the game I really like a guy at third with less than two outs because there are ton of ways to tie that game without a hit. As the home team you can go for the kill shot later.

3. I was listening as well and can't say how Punto's AB unfolded.

Irishmans Shanty wrote: 3. I was listening as well and can't say how Punto's AB unfolded.

I saw it, it was like packerboy said. Simple grounder to first, pitcher was late covering. I think Gardy was trying to avoid the classic Punto 4-6-3 inning ender. I'm also puzzled why the Sox infield was at double play depth with runners on 2nd and third.

Morneau blasts a 2 run homer to grab a 3-1 lead in the third.

Rubiks Kubel matches it after Cirillo double. 5-1 after 3.

I'm sure the Sox broadcast has turned into a wake!

Ku-bel.......Ku-bel........Ku-bel.........Ku-bel.

Mr. 4-6-3 strikes again. Doesn't hurt tonight though.

I appreciate this brand of baseball.

Were the first two games legal?
exhibit A: 19 Runs
exhibit B: 32 hits
exhibit C: 9 extra base hits
exhibit D: The invisible left side, Punto & Kubel combine for 8 hits
exhibit E: Greenhorn, Carmen Cali is allowed to be entrusted with recording outs 22, 23, & 24 against a divisional rival
exhibit F: Boof's Blylevenesque curve ball
exhibit G: Santana probes deeper into Chicago's psyche
exhibit H: Morneau approaching "just walk him" status


"Let's play two today"!

Another good start form Baker today would be great.

But the hitters have been great and if that keeps up the pitchers dont have to pitch like any and every run they give up is a disaster.

On the bunt issue, I would rather have Castillo putting the ball in play and forcing the Sox to make a play than just giving up an out. I dont understand bunting a high average contact hitter with speed in that situation... with Punto on deck. If Ozzie is awake and he brings the infield in, Punto's grounder is just another nonproductive out.

Lets go. Quit all this bunting nonsense and sweep the Sox with big hits and solid pitching.

Irishmans Shanty wrote:Were the first two games legal?
exhibit A: 19 Runs
exhibit B: 32 hits
exhibit C: 9 extra base hits
exhibit D: The invisible left side, Punto & Kubel combine for 8 hits
exhibit E: Greenhorn, Carmen Cali is allowed to be entrusted with recording outs 22, 23, & 24 against a divisional rival
exhibit F: Boof's Blylevenesque curve ball
exhibit G: Santana probes deeper into Chicago's psyche
exhibit H: Morneau approaching "just walk him" status


"Let's play two today"!

Sure thing Ernie!

All around the mulberry dome,
The Twins drove Danks and Contreras.
The Twins thought 'twas all in fun.
Boof! goes the weasels.

Rubik Kubel coming around will be huge.

"Hey A.J.! Even a caveman can run the bases" sign was hilarious last night.

I'm in the ballyard today. Sorry fellas.

2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Hi fellas, I was at the marathon on Saturday and the pummeling last night. Toronto has some good young hitters, Rios in particular was smoking the ball on Saturday night; however, their bullpen imploded and the Twins came within an inch of pulling it out when Hunter's smash didn't make it through the infield. I had really good seats on Saturday night, right behind home plate and among other things it was fun watching Neshek baffle the Toronto hitters. Most of 'em anyway...

Last night Boof pitched a whale of a game, it looked like he was throwing a lot of breaking pitches and making the Sox hitters look bad. He kind of ran out of gas a bit at the end but I'll take 6.2 good innings from him anyday. And Morneau was just on fire, everything he hit was hard.

Pick up the sweep guys!

Same inning, same situation.

bottom of the 6th
-Morneau walk
-Hunter single
-Kubel sac Bunt
-Cirillo, weak ground ball to second scores a run.

Heintz squares the game at 6 with a two out single, the Twins have come all the way back.

Garland at 106 pitches thru 6, I wonder if Ozzie sends him out for the 7th. If so, Ozzie has zero confidence in something he is going to need.

Kubel for M.V.P.

With bases loaded Hunter Draws a walk and the twins win.

I think when Hunter takes a walk in that situation, the Twins are going good. Sign him. Go Twins.