The journey begins
Posted on August 21st, 2008 – 8:33 AMBy Joe Christensen
I’m at MSP, getting ready for my flight to LAX, starting this monster road trip. Yes, I plan to hit In-n-Out Burger for lunch, not long after I land, and then it will be down to Anaheim on the 405.
I’ll have lots more from the ballpark.
Just scanned for some Angels tidbits, and found an interesting item in the OC Register. Turns out the Angels have concerns with their eighth-inning guy, too:
With the Angels clinging to a one-run lead in the eighth inning Wednesday night, Scot Shields anticipated coming into the game to build the bridge to closer Francisco Rodriguez. But Scioscia stuck with Jose Arredondo, who had come in to get the final two outs in the seventh inning.
“I was ready to pitch,” Shields said, declining to comment beyond that.
A night earlier, Shields struggled with his command, walking two of the four batters he faced and taking the loss as the Angels blew an eighth-inning lead.
Scioscia said he wanted to “stay away from Shieldsy” until he has a chance to work on some things in the bullpen before Thursday’s game.
By the way, I saw Arredondo pitch against the Rays last night, and he’s no slouch, either. I’m guessing the Angels won’t mind letting K-Rod leave via free agency, when they have an arm like Arredondo, ready to plug in at closer.
Also, the Angels’ lineup looks ridiculous now since the Mark Teixeira trade. Howie Kendrick wasn’t in there last night, so don’t go by the box score. Torii Hunter told me in spring training that Kendrick is one of the best pure hitters he’s ever seen.
Look for something like this tonight:
1. Chone Figgins, 3B
2. Erick Aybar, SS
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero, DH
5. Garrett Anderson, LF
6. Torii Hunter, CF
7. Howie Kendrick, 2B
8. Juan Rivera, RF
9. Jeff Mathis, C
RHP: John Lackey
No wonder this team is 77-48.
227 Responses to "The journey begins"
Nothing we can’t handle.
BTW, have a safe trip and bring back some “W”s.
Can’t wait to see the dellusional Twins fans come out and say this team will take 3 of 4 from LA.
A 5-9 roadtrip is the absolute best case scenario. this team lacks talent and is soft on the road, starting with their incompetant manager who is easily intimadated in big situations.
Don’t worry - the Twins will battle their tails off and get after it.
Evan, I think even the most realisitic of Twins fans know that the Twins will have a fight on their hands and should be happy with splitting if they can get it.
Twins will struggle against LAA, but should be able to take the next three series after that if they’ve learned their lessons about looking past teams (see Jays series, O’s series, and first Seattle series)
But then I read your second paragraph, and recognize you’re really just another troll.
Have a nice day.
I’ve been to the Big A too many times to see us get beat down by the Angels. With Lackey pitching (he almost threw a no hitter two weeks ago) tonight, we better get to him early or it’s going to be a long night.
The Twins should be looking to finish this road trip at 8-6. That should be theri goal. Winning at least 2 series is very doable with Oakland and Seattle.
“Can’t wait to see the dellusional Twins fans come out and say this team will take 3 of 4 from LA.”
Can’t wait to see the jerks who would rather see the Twins lose to prove they are right than see them win. Criticizing your team, players, manager is fine. Hoping they lose so you can say “I told you so” just means you’re insecure.
I agree with J and T…Evan, go be an idiot elsewhere…go comment on the crappy Pioneer Press blogs, or go predict impending doom on the Wolves blog (which would probably be true)
In-n-Out Burger is overrated. Try Wahoo Fish Taco. Best fast food on the West Coast.
I think the Twins will get after it and surprise us all with a 10-4 road trip while taking over the Sox…Go Twins!
this team lacks talent? they’re 40-19 since june, best in the bigs. they’re 1 game out of the division on august 21, and 1/2 game out of the wild card. that’s a completely idiotic thing to say, especially on a twins message board.
do the red sox lack talent? because they actually have a worse record on the road than the twins. as do the white sox. the angels have been struggling lately (losing 2 out of 3 in cleveland, and 2 out of 3 in TB, while they are a better road than home team), so the twins need to attack.
“No wonder this team is 77-48.”
because of their pitching way more than hitting…though its gotten better with Tex, they are middle of the pack in offense.
Evan
The best case scenario is obviously 14 and 0.
Now why LAX when Ontario or John Wayne are easier to get around in.
Nice comments about Even being and idiot everyone. Pour it on Twins fans!
“Now why LAX when Ontario or John Wayne are easier to get around in.”
LOL his fast foot choice has been criticized, and now the airport…anybody want to criticize him using the 405?
Let’s play the games and see what happens…
there is a some hope in the Angels series, because it looks like the team is slowing down. Here are some splits for the Angels:
Team batting:
July: .296/.355/.491
August: .265/.343/.403
Pitching splits for the starters that the Twins will face
Lackey (tonight)
1st half: 2.46 ERA, .662 OPP OPS
2nd half: 4.72 ERA, .783 OPP OPS
Saunders (Fri)
1st half: 3.07 ERA, .657 OPP OPS
2nd half: 3.38 ERA, .736 OPP OPS
Garland (Sat)
1st half: 4.20 ERA, .796 OPP OPS
2nd half: 4.74 ERA, .849 OPP OPS
E. Santana (Sun)
1st half: 3.34 ERA, .633 OPP OPS
2nd half: 3.57 ERA, .674 OPP OPS
Also, the Angel stadium is a launchpad. With the increased amount of fly balls the Twins are hitting (how many warning track outs were there in the Seattle and Oakland series; or doubles a foot off the top of the wall…) there will be some balls flying out.
Fearless prognostication: Ruiz hits his first major league HR in Angel stadium
Joe,
have a great trip. In and out burger is great. Best fast food fries in the universe.
Lackey still scares me, the guy is the epitome of an ugly mole-faced meathead, but he has been getting a little roughed up lately…. but so has Baker. That game could go either way. Garland….. whatever. I’ll take Blackburn over Garland. Who knows with the other two games. Perkins is coming off a good start but Saunders came out of nowhere this year and has still been solid this half.
The Angel BP may have been unusually shaky over the last few series. However, Gardy would love to have the “problem” of choosing between Shields and Arredondo in the 8th inning.
If the Twins beat Joe Saunders, then I will be convinced that something is up.
I can’t remember them even getting a sniff off him in the past.
Man, people getting down on others for simply having an opinion. If people want to predict that the halo’s will take 3 of 4 minimum, from the Twins, let them. Who can blame them? The Twins and their manager seem to become a different team on the road. It’s all about on the road. They have a great record since June, but that was also very heavily laden with more home games than road games. We are a below average road team, playing a terrific ball club. I will be ecstatic if we split.
rghrbek-
That’s just my style, I get down on Nay sayers…deal with it
one person’s Nay sayer is another’s realistic NON-KOOLAID DRINKER..
should we all say Twins will win 14 in a row on this road trip.. stop being a BLOG MONITOR we already have 1 of those.. this blog is for opinions.. if you don’t agree with someone’s take then MAN UP and give reasons as to the contrary position..
I’ll criticize him for using the 405. That’s definitely not the fastest way to get to Anaheim.
Even critics have their critics who have their critics.
Its the “circle of life”.
sane - your intellect is dizzying.. wait until you get going!!
“I’ll criticize him for using the 405. That’s definitely not the fastest way to get to Anaheim.”
105 to the 605 to the 91 to the 5.
FIRE,
“your intellect is dizzying”
dizzying - yes.
intellect - not so much.
what is tougher? fighting a land war in Asia or sweeping the Angels?
I can’t wait to see Casilla back. It will be nice having him back in the number 2 spot. Span Casilla Mauer Morneau is a great way to start a game! I hope he reenergizes our team again. Let’s pray that thumb stays good enough to play with for the rest of the year…
I agree with what Ben said earlier the Angels are were they are due to there pitching more than there hitting. They do have a nice lineup but it’s not that much better then the twins. I just pray T Hunter doesn’t beat us.
I love the whole “Kool-aid drinker” thing. Tells the whole world “I listen to sports radio, so I have to spout my opinions to everyone as if they matter!”
What is with all of the “Koolaid” drinkers. In this economy shouldn’t some of us be drinking Wylers? 
LOL Crystal-lite
If you’re looking for something to be optimistic about and want to find a weak spot in the Angels’ lineup, check out good ole #48.
Hunter’s been striking out about 1 in 5 PAs for the past couple of weeks, with an OPS below the .700 mark.
Seeing that lineup just makes me EXTRA glad that Livan isn’t in our rotation anymore.
I think the blog should send me to the West Coast to comment on this trip. I promise to fly coach and to pay for meals myself.
your right J they don’t matter
foreign policy and US economy are not hinging on the words typed on this blog
“foreign policy and US economy are not hinging on the words typed on this blog”
If they were, Punto would be blamed for it
“Punto would be blamed for it”
as he should.
In n Out Burger is the bomb. Just remember how to properly order the burger. You tell them at the driveup that you want a double double Animal style with fries and a Coke.
Mmmmmmmm…. In N’ Out Burger.
J = T
I’m getting home sick so I must hop on Orbitz and get ready for my flight. LOL. Aaargh
You know it’s a good lineup when Torii Hunter bats sixth. He would probably be the cleanup guy if he were still a Twin.
i’ll set up the flight for ya on travelocity…. trying to get anough points for a free honeymoon
Another good place to eat near Anaheim is Bob’s Big Boy. This is a 50’s diner and good as well
Torii hit 6th alot of his Twins career.
he’d be 5th if he were with em.
Win this first game twins
Shawn in Binghamton It kills me to watch them out there and I can’t go. One day this winter I am going to pack up my big screen my cat and my wife and tell them I am going to the store and then head out west and not look back. LOL.
and i want to move back to MN, keep pushing west.
We will each drive west toward our destinations and see who gets home first. I made a mistake and married a local. Good advice Shawn in Binghamton don’t marry someone from New York if you intend on leaving they may not go. It takes alot of moaning and groaning to persuade them
Or chloroform
I am marrying a local, but she is dieing to leave.
jimmy, the big screen I understand. The others you could just replace when you get out there.
Shawn in Binghamton they tell you that till the ring goes on the finger then you are trapped forever like me. hoooooaaaayyhaaaaahahaha (sinister laugh)
“J says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:11 am
Or chloroform”
Hmmmmm……
“JimCrikket says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
jimmy, the big screen I understand. The others you could just replace when you get out there.”
I wish they all could be California Girls (To the tune of the Beach Boys)
Jimmy,
Binghamton sucks and she knows it.
1. Denard Span - RF
2. Alexi Casilla - 2B
3. Joe Mauer - C
4. Justin Morneau - 1B
5. Jason Kubel - DH
6. Delmon Young - RF
7. Brian Buscher - 3B
8. Brendan Harris - SS
9. Carlos Gomez - CF
I think this is the best lineup we can put out there and hopefully this is what Gardy goes with. No Punto.
I hope you don’t get stuck in 9 months of snow like a beach and mountain goer like me. Sounds good if she is willing. Oh the wonderfull month of January when everyone calls me and I am told it is 75 degress back home and I tell them it is windy and -5 outside. What joy, what joy….
I like that lineup, but Gardy will play Punto … he’s hot right now
I think Torii Hunter was one of the most overrated Twins players, and he really is a weak spot in the Angel lineup. I’d much rather pitch to him in a tight spot than anyone before him if I’m the manager. He’s basically a slower, stronger Carlos Gomez who learned a LITTLE bit of plate discipline.
Go Twins, and I think Blackburn, if he’s eligible, should be a leading candidate for ROY, even though no one cares about him.
Yeah, he’ll plug in Punto at SS instead of Brendan “Doubles machine” Harris. I guess the only good part of this is that Punto won’t be batting 2nd even if he does play with Casilla back.
Yes, I remember my own fateful marriage decision:
“Do you like baseball?”
“No.”
“How ’bout Solitaire?”
“I LOVE Solitaire”.
9 months of snow?
birdofprey and I hope you aren’t a sports bar type? No way not me!
What’s a sports bar?
birdofprey Good job.
Both Blackburn and Perkins are eligible for the ROY award. However, someone named Longoria, got it in his back pocket…
Longoria will get it as easy as 1,2,3
Steve
Blackburn is eligible, and he will get votes. He will finish around 3rd or 4th. Span will get votes, as well.
You’ve got to be kidding me! Is Span still a rooke?
While White Sox play against Rays at home.
Perkins is eligible? I thought DL time counted as service time.
Span had never played in the bigs until this year, so, yup, he’s a rookie.
Current Twins’ OPS against Lackey (PA and HRs in parenthesis)
Young 1.000 (6, 1)
Lamb: .900 (10, 1)
Mauer: .857 (14)
Morneau: .778 (25, 1)
Kubel: .773 (10)
Harris: .667 (3)
Redmond: .500 (8)
Punto: .467 (15)
So giving Lamb a start here might not be out of the question.
Also, it might make sense to sit Gomez, play Span at CF and Kubel at RF and DH Ruiz. That is probably the strongest combination at the plate.
Alexei Ramirez has a chance for ROY if Longoria is out for a while longer
I watched the Redwings squeeze play last night and I was able to see the play where Cuddyer gets a line shot off of his foot. I think it was Garret Jones who hit it. I want Comcast to replay more of these games. I had a great time watching the game
Both blackburn and perkins are having better years as pitchers, than ramirez is as a hitter. There ought to be two awards, one for pitchers, and one for hitters, anyway.
If any pitcher would win ROY it would probably be that Galarraga guy from Detroit - He has more wins, Ks, and a lower ERA. ROY voting will go like this:
1 - Longoria
2 - Alexei Ramirez
3 - Armando Galarraga
4 - Nick Blackburn
5 - David Murphy
jimmy,
“One day this winter I am going to pack up my big screen my cat and my wife and tell them I am going to the store and then head out west and not look back.”
I’m not clear.
Who are you packing?
Who are you telling?
Who are you taking?
Who are you leaving?
Do you always pack your big screen and your cat when you go to the store?
SGV sane
jimmy,
Don’t stop at the SGV.
Go all the way to the ocean and then make a decision.
I’m not clear.
Who are you packing?
Wife tv cat
Who are you telling?
Shawn in Binghampton
Who are you taking?
Wife tv cat
Who are you leaving?
Minny and Snow
Do you always pack your big screen and your cat when you go to the store?
No
sane jimmy bee is going to Torrance
“Do you always pack your big screen and your cat when you go to the store?”
“No”
Won’t your wife figure out that you aren’t going to the store?
Torrance is a good choice.
lol sane i saw that too but i’m still not sure if jimmy is a serial killer or not so i left it alone.
sane whats that shnazzy place up the hill from Torrance. Yeah she’ll figure it out if I don’t just go to the store
BC LOL.
Palos Verde
BC did you see the Redwings broadcast last night. I thought it was realy neat to see them play
Palos Verde. Now there’s a place I could live. How Huntington beach???
How bad is the Mariners pitching? Last six game, 60 runs allowed. Has there been a worse stretch ever?
GoLobos says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
How bad is the Mariners pitching? Last six game, 60 runs allowed. Has there been a worse stretch ever?
Carlos Silva is making 12 mill a year. That’s how bad
Palos Verdes Estates.
I once played golf at the Palos Verdes Country Club until they saw what I had parked in their parking lot.
They couldn’t find my name in Forbes, so I wasn’t asked to come back.
For both the Punto haters and the stat freaks…
Twins record in Player Starts/games played in:
Ruiz…7-1(.825)/7-3(.700)
Punto…34-21(.618)/41-22(.651)
Buscher…26-17(.605)/28-18(.609)
Casilla…36-24(.600)/36-26(.581)
Harris…61-42(.592)/62-42(.596)
Mauer…61-43(.587)/62-48(.563)
Gomez…64-46(.582)/68-50(.576)
Morneau…72-54(.571)/72-54(.751)
Everett…21-16(.567/21-17(.553)
Span…30-23(.566)/31-25(.556)
Young…64-50(.561)/67-50(.573)
Kubel…51-41(.554)/59-48(.551)
Redmond…14-12(.538)/16-16(.500)
Lamb…31-29(.517/41-37(.526)
Caveat: I realize team wins(record) is not important. It is the most useless stat discussed here.
Regards,
I’m pretty sure that Harris isn’t going to start at shortstop as long as both Punto and Everett are available. For better or worse, Gardy has decided that Harris is the shortstop of last resort.
Dragon Twins have over 10 wins on Livian starts - more evidence team record based on player starts means nothing
the Dragon you sold me based on this info both Ruiz and Punto should be in the lineup everyday. Can you imagine if we had them for the whole year especially Ruiz. I mean wow.
no doubt and NOGO needs to start over Span.. yes perfect logic
sincerely,
sane I went to the LA open at Riviera two times. Beautiful course. I think Riviera is in Palos Verdes?
BC,
My original list did not include Ruiz due to small sample, otherwise there seems to be a large enough sample for all other players over good stretches of the season. Span’s total is lower because he was up early before the team had jelled.
Regards,
“BC of ND says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:11 pm
lol sane i saw that too but i’m still not sure if jimmy is a serial killer or not so i left it alone.”
Where’s Beneke???
This is completely off topic but it’s a personal pet peave of mine:
The whole California thing of putting “the” in front of the number of the freeway you’ll be using.
“The” 605. “The” 10.
Rubs me the wrong way, and it seems to be spreading.
Would anyone say “I’m going to take “the” Hollywood Blvd to “the” Vine intersection?
As information, at In N Out Burger you can also “Animalize” the french fries. Now, personally, I love the french fries just the way they are. But I highly recommend eating there, as the fries do get a little soggy when bagged up and taken home. And after growing up in Minnesota, and now living in Sacramento, In N Out Burger is the best fast food restaurant ever. That, and the sunshine, are the only reasons to keep from commmitting suicide if you live in California.
jimmy,
Riviera is in Pacific Palisades
FIRE!!!
I stated, obviously wins are unimportant, particularly on these blogs.
One might want to expand their horizon. Individual statistics mean very little in a team game. It is a cumulative effort of ALL the players, some playing well, while others play poorly on any given day.
Since wins don’t matter why does anyone seem to care?
Regards,
USA, here’s something you simply have to understand about native Californians, even though there is no such thing. They are idiots. I could give 100 examples of why, but just take my word for it. Californians are idiots.
“No wonder this team is 77-48″
As great as that lineup may look on paper the Twins have a higher team BA, OBP, and SLG Pct than the Angels and have scored 54 more runs. It’s obviously their pitching not their hitting that has led to a 77-48 record.
the Dragon
I understood your point just having fun with you because i love to give crap to stats crunchers.
All my love,
Chief,
Would anyone understand if I said “I am taking 10″? rather than I am taking “the 10″?
Go ahead.
Take 10, but it sounds like an overdose.
the Dragon… hmmm.. do you live in California?
“BC of ND says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
All my love,”
Is this a proposition?
Macloed,
Count me as one of the idiots, but I am not the one itemizing reasons reasons NOT to commit suicide.
sane. in MN we say “taking 494 or taking 35 W” maybe because our biggest drug problem is Meth up on the Iron Range we don’t get confused??
the Dragon says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
“BC of ND says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:35 pm
All my love,”
Is this a proposition?
No more like a declaration.
I must be an idiot.
“reasons reasons”?
FIRE!!!
Not California.
I like in DC area where our main industry is “HOT AIR”
Regards,
Sane wouldn’t it make more sense to say i’m taking the number 10 instead of the ten.
FIRE,
“because our biggest drug problem is Meth up on the Iron Range we don’t get confused??”
I’ve read the blogs.
You do get confused.
glad to see you support your main industry
apologies & regrets,
“Sane wouldn’t it make more sense to say i’m taking the number 10 instead of the ten.’
Oh!
Was this about making sense?
“The 10″ is shorter than “the number 10″
sane the cold 9 months out of the year gives me memory loss… hey did I write this yet?
in MN we say “taking 494 or taking 35 W” maybe because our biggest drug problem is Meth up on the Iron Range we don’t get confused??
confused & blissfully reveling in it,
Bo Derek was a 10
Don’t get mad at me sane you know how sensitive i am. Why not just grunt, point, and say ten then that’s shorter.
Sane, you spelled my name wrong. Idiot! LOL. And you aren’t listing reasons to NOT commit suicide because you grew up in CA and are too stupid to know that it sucks.
FIRE,
Memory loss can’t be blamed on the cold.
Right now, I can’t remember where I’m parked or what the hell I’m driving.
BC,
Notice, I don’t do alot of the stat stuff, only those related to wins/losses, particularly where those facts seem to be contrary to the blogs collective wisdom.
Regards,
Fire she’s still at least an 8 and what about Michelle Pfeiffer she just turned 50 and she’s still close to a ten in my book.
Macleod,
I grew up in Minnesota and loved it.
I have lived in SoCal since I was 22-yrs-old and have NEVER shoveled rain off my driveway.
BC you are correct! so is Andie MacDowell and Liz Hurley!!!
BCofND,
“Don’t get mad at me”
I NEVER get mad, even at people whom I will never forgive.
Sane, I did say the weather was great. Unfortunately, nobody has ever told me what the 2nd reason to live here is. Maybe SoCal is Utopia compared to NorCal. But after I got raped on my house in 2003 when I moved here, the 2nd raping of the housing market fall out hurt even more. I’m just saying, if a person has a family DO NOT come here. Just don’t do it. And of course, not EVERYBODY here is an idiot. You’re from MN, so you are clearly the exception. Maybe….
Dragon -
Punto has played a higher percentage of his games against teams with losing records - 40/63 = 63.5% - than the Twins in general have - 76/126 = 60.3%. He has an even greater disparity when it comes to the worst teams - those with fewer than 60 wins. The Twins have played 35.7% of their games against teams with fewer than 60 wins, while 47.6% of Punto’s games are against those teams.
It looks like Punto has gotten a little ‘lucky’ in that he has missed playing the better teams this year.
Pete D.
Good info.
There are many variables, it just seems odd to hear every day how the team WILL LOSE because Punto starts.
Those laments are demonstrably false. Although the Twins should in all good graciousness give up(forfit) those wins because of the unfairness of losing team having to play a better one
Regards,
Ok not to rip on California but they’re one more earthquake away from being one of the Hawaiian islands. No thanks.
Why in the world do you say 35W North what the he** does the W stand for in this. Not west. Still dont get it. @ lane freeways. Still not getting it. Macleod Sacramento stinks and maybe thats why you hate it. Try Ventura county. As far as idiots go I have meet my share of Minnesota locals that say warsh, Shoeseses and Kneeses. I don’t know idiots are everywhere. I love Cali and Minny for certain reasons but I still love that Cali weather
Macleod,
The housing market is the number one reason to NOT move here.
I was lucky to buy my house a long time ago.
Year-round outdoor baseball-football (coaching) and golf are by-products of the weather and are my #2,#3 and….reasons for loving SoCal.
I liked hunting, fishing (especially smelting) and drinking while growing up in Minnesota, but I no longer do any of those things.
To each, his own.
BC Minnesota is known amongst everyone in the whole US for crappy weather. Psssst don’t tell the locals
Yeah, if you said “I’m taking 10 to 5 South” everyone would know what you meant. Or if you said “I’m taking I 10 to I 5″ everyone would know what you’re talking about.
Just like everyone understands what you mean when you say “I’m taking Hollywood Boulavard to work today” instead of “I’m taking THE Hollywood Boulavard to work today.”
Macleod I am a Cali native and I will tell you the only thing worse then Sacramento is Reno. Also if it makes you want to die move to Mound, Shakopee or Hopkins in January you will love it.
35 w north goes which way
Pete D
I think its a conspiracy by Gardy and Punto so he’ll one more reason for the skipper and fans to hang their hats on him as an everyday player.
35 w south goes which way? West or South
I’m just like Punto in my house my wife blames me for everything.
Jimmy ND weather is no better trust me but when your born here it doesn’t bother you as much.
Dragon -
“Those laments are demonstrably false.”
Well, depends. The question is are the Twins losing more games because Punto is starting instead of someone else - mainly Harris. And we will never truly know, because we can’t “replay” the games with Punto and Harris reversed.
You are right, in that there are a lot of variables. More than I really want to take the time to look up, and even if I did, I’m pretty sure the sample size would be too small to make an accurate prediction one way or the other.
jimmy b
the W part of 35W indicates it being the west highway vs 35E. All odd numbered federal highways run north/south, and all even numbered highways run east/west.
not too complicated.
BC I gotcha. There is a link to picture of one of the sights in Palos Verde’s below
http://www.palosverdes.travel/images/palosverdes-travel/palos%20verdes.jpg
JP -
The only other option on the team is probably Brendan Harris. And so far this year, Punto has out-played Harris. Punto has a better hitting line - .280/.339/.403 versus .265/.323/.393 - and I’m pretty sure most would agree that Punto is the better defender of the two.
Again - ton of different variables, including who they have played, the pitcher they have faced, etc. I suspect that there is a pretty small sample of games that both Harris and Punto have played in, so comparing them in those games might not give a lot of information either.
I personally think that Harris is the better of the two players, but right now it looks like Gardenhire might be making the right choice in who to play.
actually the 35E and 35W is somewhat of unconventional… because there are parts of the same hwy that splits and goes through a city, then gets connected again, the convention is the east-most part to be named 235 (instead of 35E)and the west-most part to be named 435 (instead of 35W). I think that it confuses out of towners 
New topic anyone? Who would you guess will have the best MLB careers among Twins farmhands, with a ranking:
1) future Hall of Famer
2) perennial All-Star
3) solid everyday player
4) short and spotty career
5) cup of coffee
Here’s my guesses:
1. Aaron Hicks (2)
2. Deolis Guerra (2)
3. Angel Morales (2)
4. Anthony Swarzak (3)
5. Wilson Ramos (3)
6. Ben Revere (3)
7. Tyler Robertson (3)
8. Shooter Hunt (3)
9. David Bromberg (3)
10. Carlos Gutierrez (3)
I have no solid basis for these guesses, and I don’t know a thing about judging baseball talent. ANy takers?
[…] Originally published by Around the Majors […]
jimmy 35W and 35E run in a north/south direction on the WEST and EAST side respectively of the Twin Cites aka Minneapolis and St Paul
are we clear now??
Fire it’s just weird. I get it now though. It is not very visitor friendly
Pete D.
One can make the arguement that Punto has only played against losing teams and that’s why the team wins more when he plays.
One might also wonder if the team would have done better against the better teams if he had played. Who knows, since it didn’t happen.
I just continue to be confounded by how little value some posters here give to winning games. Last time I checked, MLB considers wins important enough to have winning as being the main criteria to make the play-offs, so by extension to play in the World Series.
I will diminish wins in my posts when MLB’s criteria changes to “Style Points”.
Regards,
I think that if the Twins got one perennial All-Star from this group, it would be great (they haven’t have one since Puckett left)
Way too early to tell for most of them, since only Swarzak is in AAA now.
Birdofprey,
No’s 3, 6, 10. The answer is none of the above. BA said they were NO GOOD.
They were only drafted because they are/were cheap. Beer League players at best.
Regards,
birdofprey What about Luke Hughes. He may be an All Star
hey birdofprey if i give you a list of stocks can you tell which one will pereform the best? BC loves money.
BC you love money. jimmy bee loves money too.
thrlos, what’s your gut about the AAA players? Seven of them have made various top 20 prospect lists. Here’s my guess:
Swarzak (3)
Mulvey (3)
Hughes (4)
Plouffe (4)
Humber (4)
Pridie (5)
Duensing (5)
Dragon -
The ultimate outcome is wins, of course. No one is arguing that. What they are arguing is the best way to win. And obviously many people feel that Harris - or whomever - gives the Twins a better chance at winning than Nick Punto. Gardenhire obviously doesn’t feel that way, and it leads to a lot of disgruntled fans.
BC and jimmy bee,
I know stocks. I don’t know baseball. I hate stocks (right now). I love baseball (always have).
Dragon, nice stats for Beer Leaguers.
Luke Hughes out of nowhere. Fun story.
Birdofprey,
I would add Mulvey as a possible (3) from your ranking system.
Last 10 games:
61 IP, 56 H, 17 BB, 40 K, 1.20 WHIP and 2.95 ERA
Joe…When you are down there, go to Houston’s for lunch 1 day and get the prime rib french dip…you’ll thank me!
actually the 35E and 35W is somewhat of unconventional… because there are parts of the same hwy that splits and goes through a city, then gets connected again, the convention is the east-most part to be named 235 (instead of 35E)and the west-most part to be named 435 (instead of 35W). I think that it confuses out of towner
3 digit interstate numbers (e.g. I235)are reserved for bypasses (going around a major city). But I35 splits in order to hit both DTs, thus the W and E designations.
Sees also get 10 lbs of See’s candy I pref the chocolate
Hey birdofprey if i could invest money in one player it would be Hicks that kid has the best chance to make A-rod type money. I wonder if he would be willing to sell shares in his future?
… says and people complain about “the” in freeway wordings
W-L is crucial.
But proving a cause-and-effect relationship between any player his teams W-L is futile.
sane so are you going to go to Anaheim to see any of the games?
Sees,
“Joe…When you are down there, go to Houston’s for lunch 1 day and get the prime rib french dip…you’ll thank me!”
Good choice.
Everything is good at Houston’s.
sane tell that to the Mets.
Why are you guys arguing with the Dragon? He cannot be persuaded. Anybody here, who wonders if the Twins could improve in any area, is obviously an idiot. Blissfull, blind allegiance is what this blog is for, and instead of complaining about things, we should be singing the praises of the twins and the glorious season they are having.
Retards,
jimmy,
“so are you going to go to Anaheim to see any of the games?”
I am in the middle of 2-a-day HS football practices, so I am plowing into my sofa to watch Thursday-Friday-Saturday games on the big screen.
Sunday, I may have the energy to get to the Big A. Thats my only chance.
BC, Hicks would be the flyer for me too. Although with a name like Shooter Hunt…
Joe…When you are down there, go to Roscoes House of Chicken and Waffles for lunch 1 day and get the Buckwheat waffle annd chicken wing combo you’ll thank me!”
Pete D.
I agree that wins are the issue.
The question is what EVIDENCE is there to support the proposition that Punto is weaker than Harris? The stats posted shows them reasonably close.
I posted results from this year that dispute that reasoning. Weak as it may be.
Punto haters have nothing other than he played BAD last year, I realize that, although on my schedule last year ended 10 months ago. I get on here and different posters are always posting that Punto equals losses. Fine, just give me PROOF.
They can’t do it. You know they are reaching because Punto get’s excoriated for 3rd & 4th level errors, while they ignore or excuse 1st level errors made by their favorites.
You say you want the best chance to win. Fair enough, so do I.
Gardy is also ill regarded around here, yet his teams tend to win…Go Figure.
Maybe the posters might want to evaluate the evidence rather than the style…
Regards,
Hopefully the Twins come out of this roady ok. I will be at a game or 2 in Baltimore and it would be more fun if the game mattered.
“I will be at a game or 2 in Baltimore and it would be more fun if the game mattered.”
I hear this is the nicest park around right now
jimmy,
Camden Yards is great. Highly recommend it. Go to Boog’s BBQ Pit. Boog Powell is usually there! They sell microbrews through out as well. Always a plus!
Support microbrewers! The last american beermakers!
Shawn in Binghamton Count me in if I’m ever in the area. Announcers rave on and on about it
Right on YGTBKM!
i always try the local beer wherever i go.
Shawn in Binghamton Where is light house dr? It looks nice when I go to streetview on Google map
what’s your gut about the AAA players?
still a crab shoot (look at Casilla for example)
I think that it is too early to tell for most of them. Plouffe has a great game yesterday against Scranton with 2 triples, 5 RBI and a SB. Is he going to be a major leaguer? Who knows…
I think all of them will have their chances to prove themselves at some point (if not with the Twins, with other teams); just wait and see. The only players you can make a good call for are players who are extremely dominant at AA and AA (more than 1.000 OPS, less than 1.00 WHIP and less than 2 ERA for a couple of years). I think that the Twins might have one such player (Delaney) in their system.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
Maybe you’ve missed the thrust of my posts, or more likely I am inarticulate.
My objection is not whether the team can/should be improved. Rather, the continuing drum beat of how stupid Bill Smith and Gardy are, and how they DO NOT want to win.
I just happen to put far more faith in their abilities than most here. Gardy has a very good record. I personally think Bill Smith has done very well since he took over about a year ago (given the atate of the organization when he took over). Are either of them perfect? Absolutely not! Yet on balance their record shows they have gotten something correct.
Regards,
Dragon you are excelllent with digits. I was watching the Angels and Ray’s last night with Garza pitching. I would like to know your guess on how many times Garza spits during a whole game.
the Dragon,
it is not an all or none situation… Some of us are not satisfied by ‘being above average’. The jury on Smith is still out (but I think that at least he is trying more than Ryan) and it is not a matter of whether or not Gardy wants to win. Of course he does. It is a question of whether or not he has the ability to lead this team to a WS. 4 unsuccessful attempts suggest that he does not. I guess a lot of people are happy that the Twins are ‘contending’; for some of us ‘contending’ is not enought, thus the difference in opinion. Some people are satisfied with above average results, others demand excellence. Don’t blame them…
Dragon
I understand that, and i actually agree with you about gardy and bill smith, but this would be a very dull blog if a person did nothing but compliment the team and its personel, which seems to be what you want. If that is not what you want, i really don’t understand what you are driving at, other than insulting all negative posters as being ignorant and having irrelevant opinions because we are not GMs.
Dragon - find me a post from a rube that says “Gardy does not want to win!!” your hyperventalating because alot of us want to see the team win a playoff series more then once in 17 years seems a bit small
Somehow I found myself on a transportation web site. Oh well…
My complaint is 494 and 694. So, what’s with 494 on the south and west sides of the metro and 694 on the north and east? That’s just dumb. Now, we added 394 from Mpls heading west to 494… more dumb. Somebody on here should fix that. Thanks.
Off to find my Twins blog.
Dragon
Also, your stats earlier about won-loss records is flawed. The Twins won more games than they lost with livan hernandez on the mound, despite his often horrific performances. Does that make livan a good player? No, it does not. You play poker, right? If you were dealt a 7-2 offsuit 5 times in a row, and played and won with those hands, would you attribute it to your great poker playing skill, or would you attribute it to luck?
The Twins have three tough road series left this year — LA, Toronto, and Tampa.
The bitchsox also have three — NY*, MN, Boston.
The first two Twins ones are on this roadtrip. Chicago’s are Labor Day Weekend (Boston) and the last half of September.
Patience, people…..
Also JOE C. AND EVERYONE — A BIG HEADS-UP:
And it’s all but guaranteed that the last meaningful series and games in Yankee Stadium history will be v. the bitchsox 9/15-18. No free TV except the 18th on WGN. Mark your calendar.
(Of course the last game ever at that Stadium will be Sunday the 21st on ESPN.)
I’m smelling a repeat of 2006 with the Twins finishing at home v. KC. Hang on to your drinks. Order ahead!
*The Yanks will definitely be trying to make a statement v. the bitchsox!!!!!!!
Gardenhire will soon begin his habitual uncalled-for manipulation of the Twins lineup in order to decrease the team’s effectiveness and cost them the division title. He will have Punto at third, short and second, Casilla at second and short, Harris at third, short, and second, Macri at third and short, Plouffe at second and short, and Hughes at third and second. Let’s see, thats fourteen combinations at just three positions. Oh, and don’t forget the outfield, in center you will see Gomez, Span, and Priddie, in right, Cuddyer and Span, in left Young and Jones, and you may even see McDonald in left, center or right. But don’t forgeet Machado at short, third and second. They’ll be Bushcer at third and first. Gardy will have his fun manipulating the confused Twins players to no end. Their effectiveness will be compromised and they will lose the division title to the White Sox. Everyone will think the players were just not quite good enough to win the division, but no one will realize that Gardenhire has cost them the division title through his egotistical manipulation of the lineup.
herb,
Why don’t you take a flying @@@k at a rolling donut.
Sane,
I live a bit north of you in Bakersfield and while I’d like to catch a game, I’m not sure I want fight traffic on the 5. Uggh. I fought it recently on my way to a wedding in Orange and it wasn’t pretty.
multitude of personalites ALERT!
Only 6 hours till game time where’s the lineups Joe stop goofing around.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! says:
August 21st, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Dragon
Also, your stats earlier about won-loss records is flawed. The Twins won more games than they lost with livan hernandez on the mound, despite his often horrific performances. Does that make livan a good player? No, it does not.”
I don’t think I ever said Livan was a good, great player. What I did say was that when he started the team won 14 and lost 9. I don’t particularly care if the scores were 30-29 each time. It beats the heck out of losing 3 Baker starts 0-1.
“You play poker, right? If you were dealt a 7-2 offsuit 5 times in a row, and played and won with those hands, would you attribute it to your great poker playing skill, or would you attribute it to luck?”
Since I would routinely fold that hand. IF I played the hand, a win would obviously be skill. Probably because I would recognize I was playing against a stat freak, who wouldn’t be able to figure it out.
Regards,
Perkins is 10-3 and will get more ROY votes then Blackburn.
I think Herb’s post is the best I’ve seen in quite a while. Its tough to stop laughing long enough to reply. You have to give the guy credit for being able to conjur up this stuff (and he’s actually a decent writer).
“Since I would routinely fold that hand. IF I played the hand, a win would obviously be skill. Probably because I would recognize I was playing against a stat freak, who wouldn’t be able to figure it out.”
Thats a grand slam for the Dragon.
jimmy,
lighthouse dr?
Blake,
You are correct.
The #1 reason to flee this area is traffic.
Living close to everywhere you have to (or want to) go to makes life so much easier.
I have been lucky.
Commuting any distance to work would have made my moniker (sane) impossible to live up to.
herb’s post also made me laugh pretty hard. He’s also pretty creative with all the different names he posts under.
Dragon
You are right. substitute a novice poker player for yourself in the above situation.
Herb makes Gardy out to be some twisted, maniacal, evil genius, out to undermine the Twins with underhanded substitutions, while rubbing with evil hands together and cackling like a madman. Like the emperor from star wars in a baseball uniform. Funny stuff.
eaa,
“and he’s actually a decent writer”
You are right.
Herb writes the best surreal comical fiction on the blog.
But it makes you wonder:
“Does he really believe that crap?”
sane,
I went to law school in Anaheim in 1973. Lived in Hermosa Beach part of the year, Balboa Island the rest. Traffic was bad then.
Went back 10 years or so ago. Posted speed on the freeways was 55 I think. It took me awhile to figure out how they arrived at that number. One mile 85mph, the next 2 miles 15/20mph.
Regards,
Shawn in Binghamton I was taking a tour of Binhamton by way of google map on the street view setting. I was cruising Binghamton on the google express. Lighthouse drive is a street in Binghamton
“You’ve got to be kidding me! says:
August 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Dragon
You are right. substitute a novice poker player for yourself in the above situation.”
Actually, I AM NOT a very good poker player(2.5/3 on a 10 scale), although I make a reasonable profit.
The key is to play where the players are worse than I am. I am pretty good at finding worse players than me. I have a foolproof method. I go into the bathroom and look in the mirror, then I go looking for tables where I see similar.
Regards,
Did anyone hear the announcers say yesterday during the game with Tampa and the Angels a little bit on Garza. I guess when Garza arrived at Tampa Percival walked up and asked Garza if he was going to be a jerk there. Garza looked at Percival and said what do you mean. Percival replied everyone in the Major league’s knew you wetre a jerk back when you were with the Twins.
still, all but a novice know to fold a 2 7. Except me. i’ll play them occasionally when i’m playing with friends and the blinds are low.
I heard a similar Garza story at the beginning of the season. It was kinda reversed though. Garza was a jerk. Percival says to him, “Nobody said you were such a jerk when you were back with the Twins.” Garza looked at him funny and said, “Yes they did.”
Thank goodness, Cuddyer cannot play. The Twins would start a serious slide falling far below the White Sox. Cuddyer is clumsy and a minor league fielder compared to Denard Span. Cuddyer regularly strikes out with runners in scoring position and his on base percentage in pathetic compared to Span. Cuddyer should be traded or dumped to the minor leagues before he can damage the Twins good play. He is vastly overated as an outfielder and his hitting stats are weak. He also has the mentality of a teenager who never grew up and thinks he is simply wonderful. The Twins would be better off without a bum like Cuddyer jinxing the team.
Considering that in their last 6 games, the twins are hitting .359 and the LAA are hitting .245 in their last 6 it could be a blowout for the twins, but it probably won’t…
After looking at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lineup (just had to spell it out because it looks so ridiculous), I think they’d be better off switching Kendrick with Aybar. Aybar’s a decent hitter and a bit faster than Kendrick but with Chone and Kendrick at the top, you’re virtually guaranteeing someone gets on for Vlad and Tex.
Trade 4 crummy players to the Mets for Johan Santana.
You always know if someone is from CA. The roads are always “the 405, the 680″. I have never understood it. And by the way the IN-n-OUT fries are the worse, greasiest, rawest fries I have ever had. GO TWINS
TDH in NV,
“You always know if someone is from CA. The roads are always “the 405, the 680″.
“I have never understood it.”
I understand WHY you don’t understand.
The Nevada Public Educational System.
Hey sid, I grew up in ND and MN I only live here. You never did explain why to me. ND an MN far exceeds CA educational system. GO TWINS
TDH,
“THE 10″ is short for “THE 10 freeway”.
“10″(only) could easily be confused with “10th” as in 10th street or 10th avenue.
btw, I grew up in Minnesota also, and I agree the CA system is not good. (hampered by non-English speaking students)
I mistakenly assumed you were NV-educated, which would prepare you to be a shill. (or a pimp, if you were well-dressed)
My bad!
You can correctly bad-mouth the California freeways and the schools, but NOT IN-AND-OUT HAMBURGERS. That’s WAY over the line.
