Mauer, Tolbert, Punto and Everett in the lineup for Game 3
Posted on May 8th, 2008 – 11:46 AMBy Joe Christensen
CHICAGO — So, what next?
In Game 1, Gavin Floyd came two outs from a no-hitter.
In Game 2, Carlos Gomez hit for the cycle.
And, today…
Ron Gardenhire is back. Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert are back in the lineup. Game 3 is about 90 minutes away, and there is not a drop of rain in sight.
Note: Howard Sinker is hosting a live blog during today’s game, so click here to join the action.
Twins (17-15)
1. Carlos Gomez, CF
2. Matt Tolbert, 3B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Craig Monroe, DH
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. Nick Punto, 2B
9. Adam Everett, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Kevin Slowey
White Sox (15-17)
1. Alexei Ramirez, SS
2. Carlos Quentin, LF
3. Jim Thome, DH
4. Paul Konerko, 1B
5. Jermaine Dye, RF
6. Nick Swisher, CF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Juan Uribe, 2B
9. Toby Hall, C
Starting pitcher: LH John Danks
U.S. Cellular Field. First pitch: 1:05 p.m.
45 Responses to "Mauer, Tolbert, Punto and Everett in the lineup for Game 3"
No Lamb…..Thank God!!! Go Tolbert.
Nothing against Gardy, and especially not in this situation, but he comes back and puts out a lack-luster looking line-up. Keep Everett out, keep Harris in.
The Twins need to get rid of their dead-weight. If Punto can hit like he did 2 years ago, he is the better option than Everett.
Rincon is worthless, Crain needs more time. We can see that the Twins are close to contending. Get rid of Rincon, shift Crain into Rincon’s “Mop-up Roll”, Shift Guerrier into Crain’s role (until he is ready), and call up Humber to be a long man. Release Rincon.
Harris 0-3 last night with a few walks, I guess that would explain why he’s sitting.
Would have preferred not to see Punto AND Everett (why not just go with the same lineup adjusted to include Mauer). Or at least sit one if you’re going to play the other.
I’ll decline the live chat. Not a good idea during work…at all.
Hopefully they can give Slowey some run support. He may be a bit rusty after all this time away from the bigs.
Is this the first time Tolbert, Everett and Punto have started in the same game? To me, it’s interesting that Tolbert gets third and Punto second even though Tolbert was starting at third earlier this year and Punto was the everyday third baseman for parts of two seasons. Actually, I guess it’s more interesting that Tolbert has started at third against lefties three of the past four days instead of Baaaaaaaaaaaaaa Lamb.
Just took further note of the Sox lineup. They didn’t exactly stack things either.
I like the lineup. I like Harris too maybe it will do him good to get a day off. His bat has been pretty cold. If we lose today it should not be because of our defense.
Is this super-mega-ultra-defense lineup, or what?
You morons need to learn to quit questioning Gardy and the Twins when it comes to putting out a lineup. They know 500% more than you do about how players are performing and how they do against certain pitchers. So just check it out and learn a thing or two…
Why is Gomez batting leadoff?? He should be our 9 hitter. Or better yet they need to send him down now to send him a message.
Harris is only 3 for his last 25, so it make sense to sit him, I guess. But maybe I’m just a moron. Wow — took just eight comments for the first namecalling to begin!
We should turn a few dp’s with that infield!
Obviously Adam S is Gardys girlfriend or boyfriend. I think everyone is ok with the lineup. Adam, Wait until people dont like the lineup before you start defending your boyfriend.
Whats next? I’m hoping it’s Slowey pitches 7 shutout innings and Craig Monroe goes Ya Ya four times.
Why is Gomez batting leadoff?? He should be our 9 hitter. Or better yet they need to send him down now to send him a message.
Joke right? The kid hits for the cycle, scores four, knocks in three and you want to send him down?
Sorry about calling you guys morons. I’m a Lamb chop lover and was upset he wasnt playing today.
I hope the folks that are in love with AJ over Mauer have taken notice that AJ has sat out a game in each of our last two series with them… not quite the iron man that those people seem to think he is.
It’s a tough position to play everyday. The knees and body need the rest.
That Darn Manny,
I really hope you’re joking about Gomez. If you’re not, then all I can say is I feel sorry for you for your lack of mental capacity. Anyone who doesn’t think Gomez should be batting leadoff needs to choose a new sport to follow because they will never understand baseball. Last night just confirmed that he is even more of a stud then we thought and that he is our leadoff hitter for years to come. I also like the fact that he’s a little cocky…it gives our team some much needed edge and swagger.
I’m kind of surprised Tolbert is in the line up after that nasty foul to the shin he took late last night. I thought he’d be the IF on the bench today. Glad it wasn’t serious.
GBG, if Harris is struggling…sitting him for a game wouldn’t hurt. It helped Gomez a bit.
And I can’t believe people are still giving JoeC grab about the Gomez thing. He said the guy at least needs to sit a game if not go down.
So he sat a game, came back, and has played well.
These are some of the same people who if they had their way wouldn’t even be able to root for the guy cause he’d still be in the Mets farm club.
I wonder how I can listen to the game without getting fired. My boss just appears sometimes out of nowhere like a ninja.
I do think there is a subtle change here in today’s lineup that we could discuss. As Ken said above, Nicky has started at 3rd quite a bit and Tolbert played a lot of 2nd earlier this year. I like the change in the lineup, but is there a deeper meaning here? Is Tolbert being prepared for a permanent 3b job? I think we know Nicky’s role is a utility player to give spot starts and play defense (and once in a while drive in 5 runs in a game after failing to run out a sac bunt).
Is it better range with Nicky at 2b? Is it Tolbert getting comfortable with 3b and wanting to see if he can hold down the job?
Just seems kind of interesting to me.
i dont get it. i too, was one who called for gomez to be sent out to AAA for some time, so what the hell?? so i was wrong, big deal and same for others (joe c)who said the same–is it so bad to say something that turns out to be wrong…get a life..noone in/on this blogosphere has all the answers to all things…its just baseball and alot of speculation…thats what keeps it fun and interesting to talk about- we will all be wrong again at sometine in our thoughts and written words, so get used to it….by the way, im glad i was wrong about gomez—-but i still think he needs a new nickname…gogo sucks…
I believe so Carlos.
I don’t think that Tolbert is preparing for the permanent 3B job. But I do think that we are seeing that the Twins will go with a straight platoon with Lamb and Tolbert at 3B. That’s pretty clear.
Joe C.:
“Gomez should be sent down to AAA”
“Tigers are about to take control of the division”
(Can I get a paper towel, I have a bunch of egg on my face)
As well they should, Seth…Lamb has been horrendous.
Hey MJ1, we all do it…
Mine - I thought the Real Deal was the Real Deal. I thought Danny Matienzo and Luis Maza would be Twins to this day. I’m sure we all have those.
lets hope slowey has what it takes…
they are just sticking with a right handed lineup against the left hander-giving harris a rest is ok, because punto is swinging a good bad right now..lamb will be back in the next time a rh pitcher is on and harris will be back at 2nd..i believe tolbert and punto will play alot but will not be regular starters….
the difference between Lamb and Everett though is that Lamb has a track record of being able to hit. He has always had a nice Isolated Discipline and hit a lot of doubles and had some pop. You don’t just give up on that because he’s hitting .200 in early May.
to many band wagon people here, 13 runs and everything is good in reality we still have serious hitting problems long term, punto has one good game (not getting the bunt down or running to first doesn’t seem to bother anyone) so now he should play everyday. gomez has a career 5 star day and in a week he may stink again and should be sent down. a little balance, a little time will tell.
overall the pitching has been better than expected, the hitting near the worst in the al. any individual day could be the exact opposite. it’s a long season.
how much will punto 2yr extension be? 6M?
c’mon! let Kubel play!! LET LAMB PLAY! Release Everett and have tolbert for everyday SS
“not getting the bunt down or running to first doesn’t seem to bother anyone”
What would Gardy have said in the media if Lew Ford had made that exact same play? he would have been on the bench and not played for how many games!
Punto not playing. Is lamb or Harris in?
Fair enough answers… but, if Tolbert and Nicky remain utility players, why not keep it as it was for most of the year and have Nicky at 3b and Tolbert at 2b? It could be as simple as Tolbert played 3b last night and let’s just keep it the same.
But, Tolbert doesn’t need to be platooned as a switch hitter. As much as the Twins love defense, I just don’t know how much longer Lamb has a role on the team. Time will tell, but I am predicting that Tolbert becomes our regular 3b with an undertermined role for Lamb (pinch hitter and spot starter?) Nicky becomes the backup SS and 2b. IMO
Lamb has an .071/.071/.143 line against lefties this year. He has nowhere near the range of Tolbert. Ergo, Tolbert should be at third against lefties.
Harris in for Punto at 2B
Seth
The same argument was made for Punto last year. Lamb shouldnt play everyday if he is not hitting he has a average glove at best.
I just don’t think 100 at bats is enough. Even last year, I was willing to stick with Punto for a couple of months.
I have no problem with Lamb sitting against lefties.
I agree this better not be the start of ‘find a way to get Punto in’ the way we saw the entire 2007 season turn out to be…Harris better be in NEED of a day off…
But I will say Lamb and Everett do appear to absolutely suck, so what that presents, if you ask me, is a hole for Bill Smith to patch.
OK, if we just had an incorrect lineup card posted in the blog above, and Punto is not at 2b, then I retract my predictions for now. But, I do like Tolbert’s glove at 3b and his hitting has held up pretty well. It probably will be Lamb for May.
if the twins decide lamb is not cuttin it, then buscher will be called up …tolbert is going to be utility at least this year-i wont say whats ahead next year or two..thats my guess
Carlos,
I wouldn’t say it was an incorrect lineup card posted, it looks like Harris was a late substitution @ 2B.
thats the biggest difference between torris experience and young gomez…hunter would have made that play routine…
JoeC. posted an update. Punto is out for precautionary reasons.
mj1,
I agree with you assessment that if Lamb is out @ 3B permanently that Buscher would become the regular 3B.
