Sunday lineups: Twins/Indians
Posted on August 3rd, 2008 – 11:00 AMBy Joe Christensen
Francisco Liriano returns to a big league mound today for the first time since April 24, when he lasted just 2/3 of an inning at Oakland, giving up six runs on five hits and three walks.
The best of his three April starts with the Twins actually came six days earlier at the Metrodome, against Cleveland. He held the Indians to three runs in five innings, despite allowing five walks and four hits.
Still, it was another loss, as Liriano went 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA before getting sent to Class AAA Rochester for more than three months.
After posting a 7-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio with the Twins, Liriano righted himself in Rochester, gaining better command of his fastball, and sharpening his slider. One of the most telling stats is Liriano’s 51-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last six starts with the Red Wings.
Today, he’ll face a Cleveland lineup with a lot of soft spots with Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner injured and Casey Blake traded to the Dodgers.
The Twins are giving Joe Mauer and Delmon Young a rest, and Justin Morneau is getting a day as the DH, with Mike Lamb playing first base. Cleveland righthander Matt Ginter has nine strikeouts and one walk in three big league starts this year.
Updates to come…
Indians (48-61)
1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 3B
3. Ben Francisco, RF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Kelly Shoppach, C
6. Ryan Garko, DH
7. Franklin Gutierrez, LF
8. Andy Gonzalez, 1B
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
Twins (61-49)
1. Denard Span, RF
2. Nick Punto, 2B
3. Mike Redmond, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Jason Kubel, LF
6. Mike Lamb, 1B
7. Brian Buscher, 3B
8. Brendan Harris, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano
Metrodome. First pitch: 1:10 p.m.
485 Responses to "Sunday lineups: Twins/Indians"
I dont normally complian about Mauer out of the line up but he really should be in there today with Liriano going today. They need to get on the same page and they really need to work together. Not saying Redman cant get him through it i just think it brings more confidence to a guy that seems to need a boost from time to time.
We also have 4 lefties in a row cant remember the last time i saw that as a batting order.
I don’t care who is pitching, Sandy Koufax or some A ball pitcher, how the hell are you suppose to win with a lineup like that ?!?!?!?
Punto, Redmond, Lamb, Buscher, and Gomez all in the same lineup…..you’ve got to be f’n kidding me.
I knew there’d be bitching about this line-up. But it’s a day game after a night game in the middle of the dog days of the season, right before a long road-trip to the west coast. And Gardy only has 4 bench moves. Guys do need a day off now and then. Mauer’s caught 6 games in a row. And Young hasn’t had a game off in ages.
Ruiz or Mauer instead of Lamb at 1st
Young in left instead of Kubel
Kubel in right instead of Span
Span in center instead of Gomez
Young doesn’t need a game off and the Twins can’t afford to have hit bat have a day off.
edit**his, not hit
I don’t normally complian about the line up i understand the need for days off i just don’t think that they should have picked yadot for the Mauer day off with Liriano going today. I unlike most here and around the city think Gardy does a pretty fair job managing the ball club we win a lot more than we lose thats forsure. Maybe Mauer should have sat lastnight but its all hindsight now. I do think it is an interesting line up with 4 straigh lefties and who knows it may work out I don’t know too much about this Ginter and how he does against them. I would bet the the Twins did a little research though.
“We also have 4 lefties in a row cant remember the last time i saw that as a batting order.”
Yesterday if you count Punto batting left handed vs a RHP (Byrd)
1. Denard Span
2. Nick Punto
3. Joe Mauer
4. Justin Morneau
5. Jason Kubel
nico,
“Ruiz or Mauer instead of Lamb at 1st”
Buscher throws one of his “fades” into the batter-runner and Mauer, who has played zero games at 1B, gets blasted onto the DL in a season-ending collision.
Great idea!
It’s not as if this is Liriano first game in the majors. He’s worked with Redmond in the past. They’ll do fine together. Mauer should get the day off. And with Kubel in left field, you’re really not losing anything in defense, but you’re gaining offense. At least Everett’s not in the lineup.
You don’t win championships with just your starters, you win them with the whole team. He’s putting this line up out there because Gardy has confidence that they will win.
No i mean Lefties not switch hitters lefties. We have done it a few times this year with a switch hitter.
mauer’s caught in 6 straight games. anyone not thinking he was getting a day off is out of their minds. i don’t think liriano’s going to need much run support today, anyways. he’s going to be juiced, i’m thinking 6 or 7 shutout innings.
sid says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
nico,
“Ruiz or Mauer instead of Lamb at 1st”
Buscher throws one of his “fades” into the batter-runner and Mauer, who has played zero games at 1B, gets blasted onto the DL in a season-ending collision.
Great idea!
get real. there is no chance of that, and if it did happen, so what. Redmond is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively. he may not hit for the same average, but his production is every bit as good.
Uhhh if Mauer has a season ending energy, “so what?” You’ve got to be kidding. Either you’re trying to get people riled up, or you know absolutely nothing about baseball.
I’ve forgotten more about baseball then you’ll ever know kid.
whoops, “injury,” not “energy.”
Hahaa, OK, Nico.
ALL TWINS LEFT-HANDED BATTERS ON DECK!
Rafael Perez is the only LH pitcher in the Tribe bullpen and he threw two innings yesterday. The rest of their bullpen needs the work.
This is the perfect day for Gardy to put all the LH batters in the starting lineup.
If Wedge brings in Perez to face Kubel-Lamb-Buscher, then Gardy can counter with Young-Ruiz-(or Morneau/Mauer who tag LHP’s).
Mauer bats around .200 against Byrd, he should have had LAST night off. But Gardy was suspended last night so no one probably thought of it. 
If Franchise is 80% of the pitcher he was in 2006, he is better than anyone we could have gotten in a trade, certainly better than Livan. If Cuddy comes back in a week & is FINALLY healthy, he is better than almost any RH bat we could have gotten in a trade. Only 2nd base continues to scare me. The funny / great thing about baseball, is you just never know. This lineup may get shut out today But they also may score 10 runs. Let’s wait & see.
nico,
“I’ve forgotten more about baseball then you’ll ever know kid.”
Then you must have forgotten everything this morning before you wrote that ignorant post!
Nico
Oh so must have forgot the Redmond is the back up catcher has never been to a all star game. and has never been a first choice for a starting catcher. If his production was every bit as good teams would be all over trying to get him at the deadline. He is a solid back up no doutb but no where as good as Mauer fo maybe its time to go check with your Doctor about your memory loss because you must have lost it all.
Clearly you’ve forgotten more than you can remember. “so what?” if Mauer is out? Get a clue!!!!
NICO,
“if it did happen, so what. Redmond is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively.”
WOW!
Your credibility has circled the toilet bowl and is gone forever! Unless you can dive in and save it.
all about talent evaluation, and while you all kiss Mauer’s ass, not because he’s good, but because he’s from Minnesota, a real baseball fan with extensive knowledge can tell you how it really is.
if Mauer got hurt, the Twins wouldn’t be worse off for it.you all look at the small picture. expand your horizons and look at the big picture:
1. it’s only 2 months
2. Redmond is an upgrade defensively
3. they are about equal in their offensive output
4. Redmond calls the better game
all star games mean nothing. popularity contest. hell, there was no reason for varitek to be there, but he was.
Not only lose Mauer, but he ACTUALLY gets replaced by Jose Morales on the acive roster.
BUT, WHAT THE HELL!
Jose Morales, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively.”
jon says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
NICO,
Your credibility has circled the toilet bowl and is gone forever! Unless you can dive in and save it.
that’s cool. i don’t care what you think anyway. everything i just said can be backed up statistically.
Excuse my son…I thought he was still sleeping in the basement, but he must have snuck into my bedroom. It won’t happen again.
GO Twins! And let’s all pray that this is the year little Nico moves out of my basement!
jon says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Not only lose Mauer, but he ACTUALLY gets replaced by Jose Morales on the acive roster.
BUT, WHAT THE HELL!
Jose Morales, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively.”
talk about lack of credibility.
Morales is out for the rest of the season genius. try again.
“a real baseball fan with extensive knowledge can tell you how it really is.”
Where the hell are YOU going to find that guy?
Nico, I’d be interested in hearing some stats or evidence to back up your claim.
“Jeff Christy, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively.”
Thanks for helping MY argument, genius!
the pathetic nature of Twins fans is astounding. if Mauer wasn’t from Minnesota nobody would care. your total lack of baseball knowledge is appalling. you all should quit posting here and making yourselves look like fools.
Take a nap, Nico.
jon says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
“Jeff Christy, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively.”
Thanks for helping MY argument, genius!
now you’re just sounding like a spiteful imbecile. keep going.
Now I understand why no Minnesota team is ever held accountable by the so called “fans.” The fans of this state are clueless and are perfectly happy to except mediocrity.
You’re all so sad.
Drew Butera, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively to Joe Mauer.
Jair Fernadez, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively to Joe Mauer.
Wilson Ramos, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively to Joe Mauer.
Danny Rams, also, “is a better fielder, a better caller of games, and almost equal at the plate offensively to Joe Mauer.
Pick one out, genius, and tell me again why Mauer is expendable!
OK, so since Nico can’t back up his ridiculous claim with any stats and has just resorted to calling people names, moving on…
Nico, I’m pretty sure that there isn’t one of us, including you who’s forgotten everything you ever knew about baseball anyway, that has any idea who truly calls a better game, Mauer or Redmond. We sit on our couches at home and watch the game through a TV screen. How in the heck would we (ie, you) know who calls a better game. Your other three arguments don’t hold much water either. Hopefully you’re not ignorant enough to really believe any of them and your just being an agitator here.
It’s Gardy’s getaway day lineup. I wonder why he always waits until the last game of a series to throw out the replacements.
Oh well, I’m excited to see how Frankie does. Cleveland’s lineup isn’t exactly frightening so this will be a good test for his first game back. Win Twins!
“Redmond is an upgrade defensively”
One of the dumbest comments ever on this site.
I don’t know what the Twins have against Liriano…They wait far too long to bring him back up…Baseball analysts across the country were calling for him to come back over a month ago…and when they finally bring him back they pull 2 of their best bats out of the lineup (Mauer and Young)…and put second stringers in 3 key defensive positions (catcher, LF, and 1B). Why don’t they support this kid (Liriano) in his much celebrated and anticipated return to the bigs?! This is the first time, in about forever the Twins have gotten any national press…heck, as I flipped channels this morning ESPN and TBS were both raving about the significance of his return. Twins management should be embarassed by how they’ve treated this incredibly talented young star. I wouldn’t blame him for a second if he whenever he’s able he wants to get out of here and play for a team that wants him. Shame on Gardenhire, shame on Smith…Go Liriano!!
nico,
OK!
I take back the part where I called you a genius.
I was just being sarcastic.
Sorry about the name-calling.
Redmond’s fine stats would not hold up over the course of a season if he were a full time cathcer, in my opinion.
I think Nico is somewhat correct about MN fans and hometown players but I think a lot of MLB GM’s would disagree about your assessment of Mauer.
“if Mauer got hurt, the Twins wouldn’t be worse off for it”
Yeah, because Mauer and Redmond are basically interchangeable. I’d like to see Redmond hit .316 with 11 HR, 80 RBI and a .410 OBP. Oh, by the way, that’s Mauer’s projected line for the season right now. You almost have to try to say something that incredibly stupid. Go watch a soccer match.
“Shame on Gardenhire, shame on Smith”
For what? OK, you can argue that Livan was given too many starts. But there is no way you can make the argument that he should replace any other starter. And, Livan helped this team in my opinion - which I realize is not always agreed upon.
The Twins don’t want him? What? They started the season with him? Why didn’t he do something when he had the chance the first time - the Twins gave him the opportunity to get back to where he’s at.
eaa,
It would be hard to find a Minnesota fan who doesn’t love Red Dog and he’s from the state of Washington.
But I would bet that NO Washington baseball fan would say that losing Mauer wouldn’t hurt the Twins.
That’s because most Washington baseball fans don’t have their heads as far up their -ss as Nico.
“…but he really should be in there today with Liriano going today…”
Burning Bush is correct.
Not to mention we’re in a pennant race and the lineup is the weakest in weeks.
Burning Bush and I were talking about Mauer.
this is what you get when you DH Redmond and C Mauer for two games in the Chicago series. It’s the STUPIDEST bit of managing imaginable. DH MAUER MORE if you want Redmond in the lineup. It is so stupid.
spiteful,
I’m on your side. I’m just saying that I do tend to agree that we are a little blind to hometown guys sometimes in comparison to fans in other markets. But, its a different case with Mauer and the comparison with Red Dog is silly. I’m sure Redmond would agree …
What does this have to do with the Chicago series? This is a very very consistant Gardy plan - rest Mauer the day after a night game. Why is there such shock about this?
eaa, Mauer caught for two games while Redmond was DHing. If you want Redmond in the game, DH Mauer so you don’t have to sit him so much.
This is not difficult to understand.
Joe Sheehan at Baseball Prospectus has made the same point many times and at the beginning of this season if he saw such nonsense again from Gardenhire he was going to throw his laptop out the window. Well, this week he must have.
My point is simply that this is how Gardy does it - like it or not - and it was no shock to see Mauer off today, imo.
Should be —
Span
Punto
Mauer (DH)
Beltre
MVP (1B)
Kubel (LF)
Red (C)
Harris
Gomez
Need MVP’s D at 1B as Liriano regains his footing. MVP can have the day off vs. Seattle and/or KC.
My only complaint with the lineup is I don’t think Lamb should be at first unless hes batting like .350 against their starter. Give Ruiz a shot at first, to see if he can spell Morneau at first in the future.
“he was going to throw his laptop out the window”
When Joe Sheehan finishes sifting through his many offers, and decides which MLB manager’s job to accept,
he will have to learn to kick his hat instead of throwing his laptop like a geek.
Yeah, given the fact that he has–for some idiotic reason–caught for the last six games! Anyone disputing this lineup without paying attention to the idiocy of him catching for six straight games, two of which Redmond was in the lineup for, is wrong (as you are pointing out to them).
klomp,
“Give Ruiz a shot at first, to see if he can spell Morneau at first in the future.”
I think that evaluation has already taken place during Ruiz’s 917 minor league games.
It’s sunday and Mauer is out of the lineup when we are half a game behind in the standings… God Gardenhire pisses me off.
The Twins are playing in Seattle tomorrow… so he wouldn’t be playing until 9pm tomorrow night. And if he had to miss a game, why not let him have a day off against a weak team?
Plus I would like to have the best lineup possible for Liriano’s comeback start!
It’s good to see Delmon Young get a day off, but again, why is it that Tard-enhire always has everyone take off on Sundays or on Thursdays? sprinkle it throughout the week for the love of baseball!
Anyone that says give Ruiz a shot at first has never seen him play 1st. He cannot field. He is a professional hitter. I am pulling for him because I love the underdog 30 year old minor leaguer getting his first shot story, and I want the Twins to win, but Ruiz has a glove made out of bricks.
BC,
“why not let him have a day off against a weak team?”
That’s what is happening today.
“why not let him have a day off against a weak team?”
Cleveland has the second worst record in the AL. Is that not a weak team?
I’m glad to see that people won’t let the return of Liriano ruin a perfectly good whine session.
Hopefully he’ll struggle this afternoon so everybody can claim they knew he wouldn’t be the White Knight that he has been built up to be.
…Even if it was those same people.
Good luck to the Twins this afternoon. Let’s see if they can continue to win despite their FO, manager, and 90% of the team is apparently trying their hardest not to.
NICO…
I have never once kissed Mauer’s ass. I am pretty sure even the people here who don’t like me will back me up on that one. I complain about his 6-4-3 DP issues, and his lazy fly balls to left field, and his inability to pull the ball pretty much once a week. It just gets tiring to repeat myself more than that.
That being said, I also hate the fact that he gets his ass kissed because he’s from Minnesota.
Neshak is the most important MINNESOTA boy on the Twins team. If he were healthy this team would be unbeatable.
Perkins is another that is as important as Mauer, but no one gets the hype that Joey Single does. He gets more hype than Morneau, and Morneau is the MVP, and the most important player on the roster, in the organization, and the most important Twin since Puckett.
Sane,
Any game in the division is too important to have your “2nd best” player out of the lineup”
Liriano threw a strike..OMG
His slider looks good.
K
Holy crap… this could be the worst lineup I’ve seen the Twins put up all year… Come on Liriano!
(I’m sure since I questioned the lineup, they’ll put up 8 runs or something)
The 1-2 pitch was a strike.
It was a strike last night.
No damage though, as Franchise gets the K.
T -
Mauer should have taken Saturday night off, because then he would have had almost two days off in a week because he would have all the time between today’s game and tomorrow’s game in Seattle. That’s all I’m saying… or have him take a day off in Seattle and not during a division game with Liriano on the mound.
So I appologize if I have once again offended your sensibilities…
BC, all of a sudden you know something about sensibilities!?
:)>
KK
Now THAT’S a slider! Welcome back Franchise!
Franchise looked better than I expected in that inning
uhhh ohhh, he’s backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
that slider was nasty
“Good luck to the Twins this afternoon. Let’s see if they can continue to win despite their FO, manager, and 90% of the team is apparently trying their hardest not to.”
Oh my.
Yeah, the first sliders, not impressive. That last pitch was nasty.
Damn it’s good to have him back…
How did he catch that ball, that was a hit all the way
As advertised in the 1st — Franchise with a 92 MPH FB and a deceptive little slider.
Looks like he’s every bit as good as and a little better than Slowey and Baker. His FB is a rope, even if it lacks tremendous velocity.
Romer…
Good point. But you have to realize to be able to beat the hell out of them like I do, I had to know they were there.
I wouldn’t say he is better than Slowey or Baker yet.
Will he be Punterrible, or Puntastic?
Did he just dive into 1st base again?
Punterrible
Goddamn, lnp doing the head-first.
It’s the only reason I hate him.
Artificial hustle.
Just logged on and see a travesty - What the HELL type of lineup is this?!?! We are 1/2 game behind and Liriano on the mound and Gardy pulls off the “Possum Move?!” Come on fans write letters, picket, do something!!!!
That is a real logical reason to hate someone. Good grief.
If I was a big bully, maybe I could come up with sokme mean spirited nicknames for some of you arm chair baseball experts.
sokme = some
It’s gonna take a little more than one inning to say he’s better than Baker. But did anyone else hope Punto caught his thumb on the base when he did his botard slide into first?
Frankie chooses to go with Livan’s favorite and blog “favorite” sleeveless jersey?
Complete game?
Jared, I hate to say this, but you’re an idiot…or at least you’re acting like one.
Nice 8 pitch inning
q: the pitcher choses which jerseys the team wears? style only, or color too (don’t teams where whites at home and colors/grays on road?)? thx
Morneau getting 20% of his day’s work done in 1 swing.
“It’s gonna take a little more than one inning to say he’s better than Baker.”
Actually it’ll take 5-10 games for assuredness.
But don’t worry, be assured I already figured it out.
That little head bow by Lamb might have cost him a hit
this is all the worthless puntos fault. i wish he wouldve hurt his humb on that slide play
Liriano’s ERA is now 9.49
Liriano was wild low there for a while in the 2nd. Good place to be wild.
Looks like his mechanics still aren’t completely natural from time to time.
If he has no mechanics problems, he’s better than Baker and Slowey.
BTW, he IS pitching like a pitcher instead of a thrower now.
vikel says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
q: the pitcher choses which jerseys the team wears? style only, or color too (don’t teams where whites at home and colors/grays on road?)? thx
It varies by team. With the Twins they leave it to the starting pitcher to decide. We have had red and blue tops at home too. Livan loved these sleeveless jerseys at home.
Mauer is NO Favre or What would Favre do - Boy, I was wondering if they (??) would rest him on a day where a psychological lift (with Liriano on the mound and a possible leap to 1st place) is essential and momentum builder for the next 2 months, BUT NO!!! He is “resting.” I do not believe that Brett Favre would be sitting today is he were Mauer.
Good to see Liriano is throwing inside to righties.
“That little head bow by Lamb might have cost him a hit”
Lamb DOES instantly whine when he fails, doesn’t he.
I used to like him.
Then again, I used to like Bill Smith too.
BC,
“Any game in the division is too important to have your “2nd best” player out of the lineup”
I would argue that a division game against a team OUT OF THE RACE is NO MORE IMPORTANT than a non-division game.
I don’t think the tie-breaker (and there is no such thing) with Cleveland will be invoked this year.
And Cleveland won’t beat out the Twins for the Division Title or for the Wild Card on the basis of today’s game.
Wild Card update: Yankees trail 5-1. Pudge 1st NYY HR, bot 5th.
Abreau made the 3rd out at 3rd base last inning tagging on a flyball to left. Cost them a run as Jeter was on third and poised to score on the sacrifice. Hilarious.
Net locked up…
Every time that Punterrible slides head first into 1st base he should be fined 10K.
Every time that Delmon Young swings at the first pitch (no matter the results) he should be fined 10K!
BTW, Lamb almost instantly made Gardy’s lineup prove to be foolish when he looked like he lost that popup and Punto had to catch it.
The lineup seems “experimental” today. Or is it just plain mental…….
WOW
KKK
i used to like morneau. but then he made an out last inning. now i hate him. i used to love liriano. then he let a runner on base and now he sucks too.
Liriano is really over pitching this inning
Like I said, Possum and that spells weak thinking.
“Abreau made the 3rd out at 3rd base last inning tagging…”
Thank God Go-Go didn’t do it.
KC is winning 5-0 and this is no time to be “generous”
Setting him up for the fastball…
In this inning, Liriano is throwing and not pitching in general.
Bad throw…
hoooooray puuunto
a little wild that inning. KC up 5-0, need to win this one today
No Bert it wasn’t a ball that probably Punto should have caught.
Straight error to Harris.
Pleeeeeeze come back, Lexi.
Sane,
If my reasons aren’t good enough how about this.
This is Minnesota, it is a home game. Don’t the fans of Minnesota deserve to see him ground out to SS more than the people in Seattle?
…because if we’re not in 1st place on August 3rd I’ll just die.
2 walks, one and half error(s) and still NO HITS - let’s see what happens - FOCUS, dude(s)!
Atta boy Frankie. Bailed out Harris for that bad throw.
He is back folks
liriano saying thanks a ton defense
KKKK
As he keeps on conquering his mechanics, he’ll be the ace of the staff.
Liriano’s pitch count has now shot up there.
Perkins would have imploded after that error…
Cisco struggled that inning, but worked through it. That was impressive. It was nice to see that when his fastball was all over the place, he could go to that changeup and slider to get strikes. Very impressive.
Great work by Red Dawg to switch up the routine and get him back on track.
Great start by Cisco through 3.
Still a no-no game for F.L.
BC,
“If my reasons aren’t good enough how about this.
This is Minnesota, it is a home game. Don’t the fans of Minnesota deserve to see him ground out to SS more than the people in Seattle?”
I have no answer for that one, so go with it.
KC is playing evry well right no winning 5 out 6 and today they are taking it to the StinkSox!
Bye
And for Ginter.
Harris just apologized with his bat
That makes up for the error.
Atta boy Harris!
harris says sorry with his bat.
Made up for the error!
Who’s that bum and why is he in the line up?
I was going to say that it is a very good sign that the Twins are hitting his sinking fastball in the air before the HR.
third best hitter in the lineup, I don’t care what his BA is that guy hits it hard
Harris!
Cancel that DFA that I asked for 5 minutes ago!
He knew it right away.
This was the hope and synopsis of Harris when he was acquired. Not the best on D, but giving the Twins some sneaky-pop at the plate.
Harris has been solid at the plate for at least the last month.
Harris has been piling up the extra base hits lately…
Still real frickin’ nervous with Harris/Lamb/Buscher in the IF.
Punto must feel like he’s on a rehab stint at AA.
“Punto must feel like he’s on a rehab stint at AA.”
ha
Why isn’t Morne playing first?
harris makes me forget about bartlett
Punto:Harris::A-Rod:Jeter
romer,
“Still real frickin’ nervous with Harris/Lamb/Buscher in the IF.”
Liriano must strike out 27 Indians to win.
Bert covering for Lamb, it hit inside his glove.
It is not unfair to mike lamb, dick, it is unfair to liriano
nice pick lamb….chop
KKKKK
morneuas dhing today.
Like I said - Possum! This infiled today is AA (as romer noted) - no time to F**k around today or any day from here on - every gane counts!
that slider isn’t as hard as it once was, but it has a nice hard late bite to it. So far, Clev batters can’t pick it up.
This Twins infield has a glove contract with Bethlehem Steel Co.
socal the infield is the same infield we get everyday. the only difference is morenaus dh
the kids return and gardy puts out a B lineup….perfect example just happened at 1b…first place on the line and your last home game before heading out on the road, and your hopeful ace on the mound- makes no sense…i certainly hope the stupidity that comes from the front office isnt rubbing off on the manager and coaching staff……….
And the first hit of the game…
liriano breaks up the no htiter for real
Pitch count really jumping up
Dangerous AB.
“So far, Clev batters can’t pick it up.”
Gutierrez wasn’t fooled by it his last AB.
Looks like this will be 5 innings pitched for Liriano today.
6-0 KC over StinkSox in 4th
the infield makes up for the mistake
Punto made that double play, that was a really weak throw by harris.
Punto definitely feeling like showing the AA boys how to field!
YES, PUNTO!!!!
that’s a little better!
big double play. anyone want to piss and moan about Punto some more?
how is this the b lineup? its lamb and redmond. the b lineup at this point is everett ruiz and lamb with morenau and mauer both resting instead of just mauer
Punto’s pivot was MLB in the middle of a Indy League infield.
Is Franchise still on a pitch count?
shane punto has an ab coming up here. give us a chance
No, he has thrown around 100 pitches in the minors I believe.
Man, this start is very encouraging…he is still working on his command, but even without great command the Indians can’t get the ball centered on the bat. Liriano is going to be very dominate again, it is a matter of time.
I believe he threw 102 pitches last time out at Rochester.
75 pitches in 4 innings?
Frickin’ Harris error……
KC is hitting HRs lately and the StinkSox are “Guillenized.”
Not happy with this B team lineup at all… so far they’re lucky, but with Liriano’s pitch count up so far, it’ll be a bullpen kind of day-then, anything goes.
Jesus H!
Sure, I will. PUnto will be hitting under 230 by the end of the year if he plays every day. He is not an everyday player for a team that wants to win the world series. Defense is very important, but you don’t win many games when you score less than 3 runs, no matter how good your D is.
Ha ha
see shane!
1 run will NOT do - let’s make this pitcher sweat and throw more!
Man Redmond is SLOW, the guy took like 3 or 4 steps.
is redmond out on a triple pump?
okay watching punto and redmond try to get hits just now was pretty painful . . .
no reason they are batting 2 and 3 today.
“big double play. anyone want to piss and moan about Punto some more?”
I never do that. I piss and bitch — but only when he headfirsts into 1B and sometimes when he can’t bunt right (but the latter defect certainly ain’t unique to Punto).
“how is this the b lineup? its lamb and redmond. the b lineup at this point is everett ruiz and lamb with morenau and mauer both resting instead of just mauer”
If Morneau is at 1B and Lamb at DH, it becomes the Varsity again.
Busher at 3B, Harris at SS and Lamb at 1B is all below average, but some of that can’t be fixed, without Casilla.
I think Frank Thomas would have beaten out that throw.
I hate watching the Twins in the first 6 innings, thety usually wake up at or after the 6th.
“So far, Clev batters can’t pick it up.”
Gutierrez wasn’t fooled by it his last AB
Do you mean the weak grounder to Punto or the weak grounder to Harris for the DP when Gutierrez wasn’t fooled?
Or maybe you mean his foul ball?
tis too bad our bteam defense is pretty much the ateam offense. except for lamb. i miss casilla
Whenever Mauer is out of the lineup, I think Delmon Young should bat third.
Red Dog could run all day in a phone booth.
I predict the AJ replacements — Liriano/Bonser/Nathan — will be the only pitchers today.
Giinter (who?) has 46 pitches and Liriano has 71 - could this be the last inning or will he go for more?
Can’t see the game…aside from the numbers, what’s the report on Liriano? How does he look?
What a bunch of whiners so of you are. Sheesh. We are a 1/2 game back and playing good baseball. enjoy the game. this is fun. I love twin baseball and don’t agree with anything but thats what makes it twins baseball. you gotta love it.
76 pitches now, with a guy on 1st and no outs.
Shouldn’t Kubel be in right? Does this mean that Span is the permanent RF, even when Cuddy returns, and Cuddy splits time with Kubel at DH?
Liriano has predominantly thrown first pitch balls and very few strikes.
kubels in right because hes relpacing young in the ilneup
Liriano is just over pitching now.
Except Kubel is in left. With their speed variance, I’d expect Span to be in left.
TF in Cali, he looks pretty good. still seems a bit scared and thus gets a little wild. The defense hasn’t been that great, so it looks a bit worse in terms of men on base.
and now 3 balls in a row to sizemore
“How does he look?”
Twins Fan, read my 1:19 post — plus he still has intermittent mechanics problems.
is that the fourth walk?
And now it looks like he’s imploding.
Smart to have the runners going.
Crap, they sent the runners. Otherwise a DP and he’s out of the inning.
I figured 6 innings, 2-3 runs, so he’s still ahead of pace for me, but he’s really struggling with the strike zone.
“Shouldn’t Kubel be in right? Does this mean that Span is the permanent RF, even when Cuddy returns, and Cuddy splits time with Kubel at DH?”
It means that Kubel is lower on the outfield totem pole than Span.
So he is the “swing man”.
BUT Span is lower on the outfield totem pole than Cuddyer.
So Span will become the “swing man” when Cuddyer returns.
That’s NOT MY CHOICE, but its my perception of GARDY’s outfield totem pole.
Livan would have already breezed through this inning, god the Twins were stupid to dump him. BRING BACK THE VETERAN.
imploding is when you give up a key 3-run HR
there is a 1 in 9 chance of a player leading off any inning, but the likelihood of a player being involved in a nice defensive play and THEN leading off is much lower than 1 in 9
Got the out but what an ugly throw.
3 straight troubled innings - still a work in progress - so who are the top 4 to 5 starters?
Holy anal leak, did Lamb just do a goodie there!!!?
Whew!
whew!
a “work in progress” who has pitched 5 scoreless innings.
all the complaining and Cisco has 5 strong innnings giving up 0 ZERO, ZERO, ZERO runs. He will be back out for one more too, imo
whew!
whew!
whew!
I had chest pains when I saw the ball hit to Buscher, went into Defib when I saw the ball was off target, and I was shocked back to life when lamb actually made a good play
busher and lamb make the routine cool
Yes - a work in progress what else would one call it? An accomplished veteran?
Cisco
Baker
Blackburn
Perkins
Slowey
That is my rotation after a couple more solid Liriano outtings…he is still working through a few things. HIs command was much better in AAA, had to be with his walk to k ratio. A little too pumped today.
I agree with Aaron K - spot on!
How many times did Livan have a shutout throgh five innings this year?
Buscher’s throws to first SUCK.
Liriano looks OK, except for all the walks… I agree he appears to be “overthrowing” and afraid to throw the fastball over the plate, espcially if first pitch to a batter.
85 pitches for Liriano - should he come out one more time?
Ginter lirianoed that ball four
Twins fan in Cali (one more opinion),
Liriano is throwing FB in low 90s, slider in mid 80’s and low 80’s changeup.
Control is his only issue this game. Throwing too many pitches, but he is missing low. Nobody has had great swings on him yet; one line drive hit to left. FB has not been above the knees, which is great. Slider has not been as well controlled, but not hittable so far. He has pitched out of big innings set up by walks and errors. Looks to be gaining some confidence.
if he can get through the 6th with the lead, I will consider this a major success day for him (and us).
I think Liriano should come back in, it is not like his is leaving pitches up in the strike zone.
just one walk, one k, and one HR for Ginter today. Throwing the at’em ball. We’re going to get to him.
how does mike lamb expect to hit with that stance?
No doubt that he is a marked improvement over Livan.
Lamb with a TRIPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
were they playing a shift?
Lamb de damn!!!!
The B team scores another one …
oh. like that . . .
Lamb is definitely better on D at 3B than Buscher.
Buscher has zero chance of being the long-term 3B for the Twins.
Who cares, Smith……..give away too much to get Beltre.
Looks like the Twins have the best starting rotation this century. What the hell is Smith waiting for? Didn’t he watch the Rockies and Diamondbacks — two young and no-name teams — last year?
We only need 2 more players (Beltre and a setup man).
Liriano has a 5-inning shutout with Punto, Larry, Curly and Moe in the infield.
Wow!
how does mike lamb expect to hit with that stance?
He’s done it his whole career and up until this year he’s done fairly well.
maybe twins can sneak beltre itno a travel bag on their way out of safeco
YAY
6-0 KC over the Guillens in bottom of 5th
Shane says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
how does mike lamb expect to hit with that stance?
Experience tells him that he can.
so busher and lamb make up for their lpay last inning
Wild Card update: Yankees tied Anaheim 5-5 bottom 7. Jeter has been on base all day. He’s a fence post on defense but he’s a smart baserunner.
buscher is competent enough to platoon at third, I just don’t know with who, Harris needs to play more SS
harris makes up for his error in the same inning. busher and lamb make up for it here.
Everett to SS, Lamb to 3B if we have a late lead.
The AA infield hits pretty well.
Lamb’s average has started to climb a litte. He’s hitting .230 now…
Big crowd at the dome
Update from KC, Royals romping, and threatening for more. Griffey at DH, yesterday came out of games with cramps.
Lot of aging persons without a position on that team.
Agree, that would be a solid late inning defensive adjustment.
“Does this mean that Span is the permanent RF,…”
It means that Span is an excellent right fielder who can handle the baggy, etc., and Kubel is below average out there.
5th innings a mother
Harris hammered that ball, but it was hit directly to someone
Good DP ——- don’t want Franchise sitting too long on the bench.
Thank you, baseball gods.
I agree that the StinkSox are showing their age and that may help them mentally but not physically, hence the race for the division is on!!
sane, who goes to first if lamb is at 3b
SO how do you go from a HR to a GIDP in short order - anyway, they are making Ginter work now.
Yanks up 8-5
I feel like Gomez has been doing a lot better lately with the sliders down and away.
liriano hasn’t been sharp after the 2nd inning. anyone else think it’s because he had 2 extra days in between starts? he last pitched last sunday, and was scheduled to pitch friday on regular rest but was pushed back. there’s no sign of his control woes from his last 10 starts or so in the minors, because he wasn’t walking anyone at all. but they haven’t scored on him so he’s doing something right.
They need to put two more clubs in New York. Nady just hit a 3 run shot 8-5 Yankees.
Good at bat by Gomez, he saw that Ginter was having control problems and made him throw some pitches.
Gomez! Being patient doesn’t mean watching strike THREE! haha.
KC has bases loaded and one out leading 6-0 in bottom of 5th
7-0 KC and still bases loaded, one out - go Royals beat those StinkSox!
They guy is crazy, but you have to like Go-go’s team spirit, even after being dropped to number 9, he is out there cheering everyone on…
“Everett to SS, Lamb to 3B if we have a late lead.”
My bad!
My thinking and my typing don’t match!
I meant:
Everett to SS, HARRIS to 3B if we have a late lead.
Lamb has to stay at 1B, because if Morneau goes to 1B ,we lose the DH and the pitcher has to bat.
Franchise is getting efficient now.
I think I’m in love with the Kansas City Royals.
Good effort by Lamb
“I had chest pains when I saw the ball hit to Buscher, went into Defib when I saw the ball was off target, and I was shocked back to life when lamb actually made a good play”
Funny stuff!
Do you like the ride, gatty790?
Bases loaded HBP for the Royals.
Liriano is doing a nice job. Its nice to see a guy struggle and still not let up runs. It might be the fact he had a few extra days off or that he is pumped up or the fact that he is faceing better hitters… if only slighty than AAA. He is still making hitters hit the ball on the ground and that was one of the many reason that he was successful in 2006.
KC-Sox had a melee going on and Guillen was ejected as well as Olivo!
Did they warn both benches.
Sox pitcher also ejected
I hope Liriano got a nice roar for that inning.
I think I’m in love with the Kansas City Royals.
Until next weekend…
Let Liriano pitch to one guy in the 7th, so he can come off to a standing ovation.
ozzie in some kind of uproar.
Frankie,
Welcome back buddy. 6 shutout innings on 3 hits. Just about what we would have expected from Livan… not.
Looks like Guilles is going to be fined or suspended
“Buscher’s throws to first SUCK.”
So do his throws to 2B.
Guillen that is
oh was there a fight in that game? i just turned it on.
seriously carlos g. bert said it best. let’s not compare the new liriano to the liriano of 06, but rather to what livan would give us every 5th day. perfect comparison.
Am I the only one who thinks that if Lambiekins puts a couple more decent at-bats together that he’ll regain Gardy’s trust and supplant Buscher at third?
I have to think that that scattergun arm at third is going to give Gardy reason to chug that cherry concentrate by the gallon.
I think Bah-bah has his chance right there in front of him. Or maybe not.
I think Olivo is in the wrong there.
yep, fight. haha. A.J. actually was trying to stop the fight.
Lot’s of pushing and grabbing with Olivo getting hit and rushing the mound, etc. When Carrasco got tossed, Ozzie went nuts
Go-go, Span, and Casilla need to become better basestealers.
Great start by the franchise, a bit sloppy, but bottom line is zero runs through 6
atta baby punto!
punto hits it EXACTLY where lamb did. same result.
2 triples by the usual suspects
really, liriano’s box score looks pretty good. 6 inn, 3 H, O R, 3 BB, 5 SO. it wasn’t pretty but it was effective.
royals pouring it on now. 9-0.
I don’t think the Twins could have asked for 6 scoreless innings from the Franchise. Sure, improvement is needed, but this is a big lift to the guys. Getting Cuddy back and going would be even better.
White Sox imploding. Big Road trip coming up for the Twins.
I think if I were managing the White Sox and my pitcher got tossed after that hot mess, I’d blow a gasket too.
Take back the “possum” play comments - we smell the division lead, if not for one day - this is quite a surprising season and fun - would have never imagined. Too bad I am out here in SoCal and not there to attend - will make it to the new stadium.
Ha-ha…AJ gets punched while wearing shades and being a blonde.
A video clip for the ages.
Wow, the Hankies score 8 unanswered runs to lead the Angels 8-5.
9-0 KC!!!!!!!
carrasco was clearly throwing at Olivo in that at bat.
Meanwhile, the Twins are busy taking another series.
And Bill Smith is busy huddling with Terry Ryan.
Can you say “First Place in August?”
Really? With the bases loaded?
I just saw the highlight, the pitch that touched it off and then everyone hugging eachother, so I don’t know but that seems like an odd spot to go hunting.
“AJ gets punched while wearing shades and being a blonde.”
It looked like a ladies Pro Wrestling match!
They need to put two more clubs in LA. 4 RBI HR for Teixira. 9-8 LAA.
That was an awesome fight, but not as good that the Coco Crisp one
I always wondered what would have happened if Liriano was healthy at the end of the season in 2006, maybe I’ll see in 2008.
“…let’s not compare the new liriano to the liriano of 06…”
Please pay attention. I’M the one making the proper comparison, and it’s to Baker and Slowey.
Looks like our 4-core is now the 5-core.
Teixiera is a BEAST and the Angels are no doubt the odds-on faves to win it all. Great pitching and clutch hitting as well and the best road team ever.
Dadgummit, if only Punto could hit.
And the bullpen implosion begins?
Crain gives up a hit to his first batter. Told ya Bonser should be pitching.
Missed first half of game and only saw sixth inning for Liriano, but the results seem to speak for themselves. Too many pitches/walks perhaps. He looked like he was spotting his fast ball pretty well in the 6th for sure. Slider a bit inconsistent I guess. Change looked pretty decent too. Encouraging start. Punto: I’ve never knocked Punto (well… maybe once or twice) and that triple is one good example of why. Count me a Punto booster, FWIW. Stick with the Twins!
whalefeet!!!! Nice call before noon - 6 shutout innings
We need a nice double play
Angels are doing it today without Vlad or Hunter in the lineup.
Nice pitch by Jessie
Better have the best arms ready and not give in an inch!
“It looked like a ladies Pro Wrestling match!”
Yeah, and it looks like an incursion into a gay bar.
Crain, throw some ground balls, they’re more democratic. (and they get you ways from Grady)
“It looked like a ladies Pro Wrestling match!”
Yeah, and it looks like an incursion into a gay bar.
ssne and romer, funny stuff. But, you would know these things how exactly? LOL
Whities can’t take the pressure. They are blowing up. I don’t look forward to playing KC, they are “spoilers”.
Whoever it was was right (stand up and take credit), the extra rest didn’t help Liriano’s mechanics none.
WARNING TO BLOGGERS: RE:Line-ups and Manager Decisions…
DO NOT do this at home…You’re NO GOOD at it!!!
Regards,
Grady will take it.
God we miss Neshek.
Man…Gomez almost got there.
Wow, nice play by Kubel. Not.
I don’t think the white sox are going anywhere. Didn’t they drop 10 straight in September the year they won the championship?
kubel is terrible out there.
I would say put in Delmon as a defensive replacement, but………….
gomez almost got over there!
They drop 10 straight again, they won’t go to the playoffs.
Was Lamb yelling at Span to go help them also?
Nice play but punto
Lamb and Punto doing OK; the others………..not so much.
To try to be fair, Kubel is not the first guy to lose one out there. However, not sure I’ve ever seen one lost that badly:(
“…you would know these things how exactly?”
As for me, Carlos G, I watch documentaries on CNN (while my wife is watching Lifetime Movie channel).
:)>
‘Franchise’ phenomenal in return to Twins
Francisco Liriano was brilliant in his first game back in the Majors, tossing six shutout innings.
That is what it says on mlb.com
He was good, but his control was spotty at times. Whatever, any coverage the Twins get out east is a good thing.
I’m just saying. They can lose their minds for a week and it doesn’t mean anything. I don’t think you can read them that way, their just a spastic, manic depressive club.
24 pitches by Crain - he has lost his mojo but Kubel has no biz playing outfield - we GoGo and Span and who else??
Liriano did NOT eat enough innings!
Livan would have pitched all nine innings…….
and given up 12 runs…
on 22 hits………….
and gotten the win.
Gatty, don’t call Nick a “but”
12 nuts Kansas City, who would have expected that?
12-0 KC. It would be sad if it wasn’t HILARIOUS.
I saw that, BUT it was too late
Fundamental LAA is blowing up in the Bronx. Figgins has misplayed two balls in the 8th into a 10-9 deficit.
I want one of those lunch bags! Too bad they won’t allow me to get one. (Unless I steal one…)
uff-da. angels are now throwing the ball around for 4 errors and the Yankees went back ahead.
“Angels are doing it today without Vlad or Hunter in the lineup.”
Thanks for that info, Shane.
The Angels and White Sox are OLD.
Do you know that concept, Bill Smith? Just look closely at T. Ryan’s face as you’re huddling with him.
And please oh please use it as a metaphor for the tired, OLD philosophy which still governs your FO a la the Ryan years.
Wow, their fall from 1st place is gonna bruise some bitchsox butts.
12-0 KC.
Too bad David Brkinkley wasn’t a sportscaster. Would have loved to hear him say “bruised some bitchsox butts”.
All but one of the twins hits has produced an RBI
I had crickets once for dinner in SF. I didn’t order them. They apparently came over from the building next door that was being exterminated.
The Tigers are old too. Maybe Bill Smith should model the Twins after them. Not.
Thinking of Bill Smith is making me hungry.
Hmmmmmmm, what would Bill do?
Think I’ll have some dogs.
Another one off of Figgins. Tough inning for that kid. 13-9 NYY 
Nady has 6 RBI for the Yanks today
Bullpen implosion…
Need to put more teams in that NY market.
Tampa takes the lead on the Tigers in the bottom of 8
save opp for Nathan in the 9th now.
Detroit made a really bad trade for Pudge. I think that might be the worst trade of the year.
tigers are now behind as well.
Nathan is warming along with Reyes. I wonder which one the Twins should put in…
C’mon bullpen! Hold the lead for Liriano! I’m going to be anxious until the last out. I remain less than confident in Guerrier.
Juany is coming in I think…
Rincon in!
Granderson tied it in the 9th.
Okay, Guerrier gives up one Dome run and one legitimate HR. Not my first choice for set-up, but he just might be good enough.
Carlos G,
“…you would know these things how exactly?”
I have seen Ladies Pro Wrestlig on TV.
I am going with romer’s description of the gay bar, since I drink alone…at home….in the dark…by myself.
Sh-t!
Romer! Where is that bar?
Rincon finally helps the Twins out.
12 consecutive attendance above 30,000. Best run since 1992. Couldn’t believe how many Twins caps and shirts I saw in NYC last week (there for an O’s game) and see consistently around the District.
Juannie has still got it!
Ahhhh, the good ol’ days.
Luv ya Rincon.
Good to see that Juanie didn’t lose his touch
span is the man.
Yep- he stil’s got it - - HR!!!
Spantastic! Gotta keep tjis guy in the OF when Cuddy comes back!
Is Nathan going to sit down now?
They sat Nathan after the HR
Three hard hit balls
“The Tigers are old too.”
The Hankies are old too.
But OMG the veteran presence in the playoff on those teams.
BTW, Beltre is a veteran.
BTW, Beltre is a veteran hitting .254.
Let me rephrase:
The Tigers are too old.
Plus in the post-Roid era, I think a lot of veterans will tank in their later years. (Tigers)
Great catch by Delmon!!!!!!!!
Wow. What a catch by Young!
Great tacit news about Reyes’ arm. He obviously isn’t having any secret — or otherwise — problems with it cuz he pitched a whole inning last night and is back for another whole one this afternoon.
GOLD GLOVE FOR DELMON YOUNG ! ! !
Whew! Lamb makes the play. (har-har)
6 hits last night for the Twins. Only 6 again today.
Get Beltre.
Is Young getting better out there, or was that pure luck? (I’ll take it anyway).
First Place!
Holy cow!
I just read the lineup!
The B-team is playing again!
Red-dog in the 3-hole!
Mauer on the bench!
4-straight LH hitters!
Lamb at 1B - MVP at DH!
Its a division game for chrissakes!
Why do play at all?
Just forfeit and get on the plane for Seattle!
What’s the score?
Never mind!
yay b team!
Yankees win, Det-TB going extras.
He was playing no doubles, so maybe he had a good angle to look at the ball.
Somebody call BostonRob at the convenience store and tell him the Twins are in FIRST!
“BTW, Beltre is a veteran hitting .254.”
with 193 Xtra base hits the last 3 seasons, on pace for 27 HRs this year, a gold glover, hardly ever misses a game, a RH bat, a 90 RBI man…
who is playing for the biggest joke of a team in MLB who was supposed to compete this year
who won’t be 30 till next season.
What a difference Gardy makes.
Fire Ullger!
…who AVERAGES 25 HRs a year.
The Twins did make the best trade at the deadline. Livan for Liriano.
I’m taking no prisoners (except Bill Smith) on this Beltre thing.
Think S. Stewart with a helluva lot of pop in his bat who’s twice the fielder as Stewart.
…who is HITTING .222 with RISP and is getting paid a boat load for doing so.
…who is HITTING .156 with RISP and two outs.
romer and sane posting at the same time!! I must be in beer heaven.
…who is HITTING .227 against righties.
Wow. What a game. Some ugly defense, but Lamb, Buscher, Harris all make up for the fielding with big hits. Span makes Rincon remember why they dumped him, and Chicago gets in a fist fight and again shows taht once they’re shaken they grumble.
Twins have a chance to extend their lead with a game tomorrow while the Sox sit. Big change to widen things up.
…who is HITTING .207 in close and late ballgames.
romer: Twins can’t get Beltre unless Seattle’s willing to give him up.
romer’s Front Office moanings 0
Bill Smiths Team Win…
HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Happens that way most days.
Best way to enjoy a Twins game. Watch the game AND count the ways this BOLG has gotten it Wrong
Regards,
…who is HITTING .222 on turf.
Romer, the 8-9 HR’s he might hit would not be worth a starting pitcher. Get over it! If Smith is so bad, how come the Twins just moved into first?
…who is NAMED Adrian.
Brian Anderson just crashed full speed into the wall!
Down 12-3!
Gotta love that guy!
“IF” we are in first, the turning point of the season:
…waiting for mlb.com to post span’s dinger off of the poster boy for pitchers coming off roids.
“…who is HITTING .156 with RISP and two outs.”
Isn’t hitting with RISP team-contagious perhaps?
Hmmmmmm, the 2008 MN Twins.
Hmmmmmm….
Take a guy who is apparently highly demoralized and put him on a contender. And dare I say Vavra-ize him some if you want hits with RISP?
I have no man crush on Beltre. I’ve barely watched him play. But I’ve been asking you all if there’s dirt on him like not being a hustler or team player or doesn’t sacrifice his AB’s when needed for the team cause.
So far, no takers.
And whimsically off the top of my head…Go back a full calendar year and reconsider all the players people were legitimately talking about the Twins acquiring. Using hindsight of course, I consider Beltre to be at the very top of that list.
This is a no-brainer — which now is my nickname for B Smith.
did you just post that?
“the turning point of the season”
Forty more “turning points” to go………in BOTH directions.
That’s hindsight for ya- a winner every time!
romer
whose team was asking for a ridiculous price for any and all players on their roster. stark did a report on how outrageous all the demands were when GMs contacted the Mariners about players. I would love to have Beltre on the team. NOT at the price apparently the Mariners were asking for.
We’re in first. Everybody enjoy it for a moment.
“…who is NAMED Adrian.”
Ha-ha. Like I said, I have no man crush on him.
romer,
“reconsider all the players people were legitimately talking about the Twins acquiring. Using hindsight of course, I consider Beltre to be at the very top of that list.”
I agree, but the “legitimately” qualifier takes ALL my (and liondragon’s) candidates off the table!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P9EqoWWDrQ&feature=related
The better part is that afterwards the Ballboy goes to get the cap.
Isn’t hitting with RISP important. Please save me from your twisted Bill Smith is evil logic. You do have a man crush on Beltre because you think he is the greatest third baseman of all time and would propel the Twins to 5 consecutive WS berths. It’s okay, let it out. I would love to pick up a good player from a diseased team but guess what it didn’t happen. Whining about it and saying that Bill Smith is an idiot is stupid in itself. Under Bill Smith’s first year he took over a ‘last place’ team. If you want to fire a GM for poor management then pick the Tigers GM who chose to make his team older. I wonder how that worked out.
romer,
“Ha-ha. Like I said, I have no man crush on him.”
That screws up my rationale for your “gay bar” reference.
Now let’s stay in first Twins!
This is a no-brainer — which now is my nickname for B Smith.
Only if you promise to not use it everytime like some people and their nicknames.
LOL Punterrible…
I know about the outrageous trade demands by the M’s re Beltre.
Time to reboot however.
Manship, Buscher, Revere, and others for Beltre.
Call it an infinitesimally small spending spree, and then go back to the conservative Twins way. Be ironically foolish and don’t look back.
Or Atkins, or Greene……
M’s demanded pitching if I remember correctly.
romer,
Are you suggesting that Beltre (and Buscher?) will make it through waivers?
Romer - back to the real world now. Get a good night’s sleep when both suns set on whatever planet you live on!
It’s official. First place!
I meant an “infinitesimally small” amount of time…a one-shot deal.
Obviously most of you won’t agree it’s a small amount of talent I’d give up.
Its official.
Favre is a Packer!
“Are you suggesting that Beltre (and Buscher?) will make it through waivers?”
Crap, I forgot it’ll be hard to send Buscher through. Thinking there’s a decent chance for Beltre though cuz of the high salary.
Just want BS to try again.
And I’ll quit whining about him:
I know how it is to be on the receiving end of whiners on these blogs.
“Manship, Buscher, Revere, and others for Beltre.
Call it an infinitesimally small spending spree, and then go back to the conservative Twins way. Be ironically foolish and don’t look back.”
The problem with that supposition is we don’t know how many players and how quality. You are willing to mortgage the future for one player that may or may not make the difference in the short term. Could he propel us to playoffs? Maybe, but maybe not. Not all trades work out. And if doesn’t work out thats a steep price to pay.
I’m done. I’m glad Smith didn’t over pay for Beltre.
And you’re crazy if you think the Mariners asking price is going to come down anytime soon.
Manship, Buscher, Revere, and others for Beltre.
And what in the reports indicate that’s what Seattle wanted vs…oh…whatever everybody else is reporting?
But since we’re playing fantasy league, can Smith also call the Yankees up about trading for Rodriquez?
We could bundle Buscher, Manship, Revere, Everett, and Ruiz. If that’s not enough we can toss in TC and Wally the Beerman.
JP,
Manship and Buscher would not be “mortgaging the future”
Revere and others?
Maybe.
“You do have a man crush on Beltre…”
You’re crazy on that one, gatty.
But yeah, I’ll quit being a nag.
Rays walk off win over Tigers!
NOBODY was able to make a deadline deal with the Mariners - Seattle wasn’t going to make a trade unless it was heavily lopsided in their favor.
True, they have an interim GM (the well-liked Lee Pelekoudas) and a confusing ownership arrangement and an uncertain chain of command. But they angered teams they spoke to with what were widely viewed as outrageous demands. And the bottom line is that this deadline represented a lost renovation opportunity in the middle of an already-lost season. And how many lost opportunities can clubs like this afford?
“I really don’t know how to describe that club right now,” one AL executive said. “It just seems to be a train wreck out there.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3513865
Some silly seaon going on now. But…
“Manship and Buscher would not be “mortgaging the future”
Revere and others?”
It’s not crazy, mnmykf, to give up minor league prospects and an average MLB guy for a proven star-type guy, no matter how many suns your planet revolves around. (But I grant you it could still be crazy to assume the M’s would deal on such a level.)
And the Revere idea was someone else’s, based on the calm reasoning that we have 2 good CF’s for the next 5-8 years already performing thusly in MLB.
Gotta run. Enjoy 1st place and the Ozzie demise.
Today GCL CF Aaron Hicks went 2 for 2, 2 RBI with a triple and a HR.
He is now hitting .342 3-21.
Hitting is the only one of the five tools that is even in doubt with Hicks.
Arm, speed, power and fielding are already assured.
If he can continue to develop his hitting as he advances through the system, the Twins may have made their best 1st round pick since Joe Mauer.
“JP,
Manship and Buscher would not be “mortgaging the future”
Revere and others?
Maybe.”
I’m not going to argue on this. How prospects develop no one can guess, Nick Blackburn is a great example.
As I posted:
“The problem with that supposition is we don’t know how many players and what quality.”
We do know that the Mariners were making outrageous demands. So while romer might throw out “brilliant” trade ideas. We have no clue what exactly it would’ve taken, but we do know it would be exorbitant.
Again I would have liked Beltre on the team but not at a prohibitive cost.
Thanks for the quote Bullmoose. You have to figure that if even the YANKEES think the price is too high (Washburn) that something is up.
Thanks to Brad Childress and Darrell Bevel for convincing Brett Favre to continue his career!
Next time,
DON’T ANSWER THE @#$%&@#$%&@ PHONE!!!!!!!!!
romer,
IF, the Twins were 1 player away, I might agree with you.
IMHO, there are too many ??? to make that judgment. 4, now 5 young starters, Baker the only one with more than 1 year ML experience. Some of the other pieces including Span or Cassila (if healthy)are similar.
Regards,
So that whole fight in KC was interesting. Ozzie has his guy throw at Olivo TWICE.
Benches clear, Ozzie ejected. Makes you wonder if he’ll get suspended.
Wheels coming off for the Sox? They tend to do that this time of year…
T,
Looks like the Royals manager will be suspended. Ozzie, nothing
That’s MLB.
Regards,
The B-team got NO HITS from Morneau, Mauer and Kubel (best three hitters?),
but still won 6-2 to move into first place.
The next B-team Bitch session is scheduled for Wednesday at Noon, after the lineups are announced for the 3rd Seattle Mariner game.
I think if Gardy was suspended Ozzie definately deserves a suspension.
Okay, Romer. My only two points were that the Mariners were not going to give Beltre away and it’s awfully late now to expect him to single handedly make a difference. Nice sparring with you. How ’bout them FIRST PLACE Twins?
Everyone needs to watch this
