Twins try to turn the page at home
Posted on September 5th, 2008 – 10:07 AMBy Joe Christensen
The Twins probably didn’t get to their homes this morning until at least 2 a.m. They were gone 15 days. They went 5-9 and ended the trip with a 9-0 loss to Toronto on Thursday, their worst effort, by far, in 14 games.
They’ll wake today (eventually) and drag themselves to the Metrodome. Sure enough, they’ll face the one Tigers pitcher who has been on top of his game all year, in Armando Galarraga.
The rookie righthander is 12-4 with a 3.17 ERA for the season, and 5-0 in his past eight starts.
Francisco Liriano flew home Thursday, ahead of the team, giving him more time to settle in before tonight’s start. He is 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in six starts since returning from Rochester, but the schedule has been soft, and the Tigers will be his toughest test to date.
For all their struggles, the Tigers are averaging 5.04 runs per game. Since his comeback, Liriano has faced Cleveland (4.86 runs per game), Kansas City (4.14) and made two starts apiece against Seattle (4.18) and Oakland (3.88).
Note: Check back here this afternoon for the starting lineups.
Update (2:05 p.m.): As La Velle noted in his Brian Bass-to-Baltimore post, the Brewers have indeed signed Mike Lamb today, with the Twins still on the hook for the bulk of the contract. More on those deals later.
64 Responses to "Twins try to turn the page at home"
Let’s go Twins.
well, i’ll be in the dome tonight for the first time in years. good seats, too. with fingers crossed …
[…] Originally published by Around the Majors […]
JoeC,
If you are going to do nothing about the character shots from Billy, Jack, edmond, Wally and a million other aliases, (see your previous thread), then I am checking out!
As good as Gallaraga has been, the Twins have played well against him this season. Half of his losses have come against the Twins, though he hasn’t always gotten the support he’s needed.
Down the stretch, I see this race coming down to execution and attitude: Which team will do anything to win a game, and which can actually come through in those pressure situations.
The Twins should be embarrassed at what happened last night; they looked awful. Gallaraga should pay dearly for last night’s shame!
Tonight will be the 3rd time I’ve seen the Tigers this season and Gallaraga has pitched all 3!!! At least Twins won the other 2….
Too bad , I was hoping to see Rogers cause he’s been pathetic lately or Verlander cause the Twinkies seem to own him. Sigh!
Isn’t that same pitcher 0-3 against the
Twins though?
It’s OK Krissy, the Twins will make it 3-3. After last night’s embarassment, and now that they’re home, the Twins will put their all into this game. Wait, I said that about last night’s game. Uh.
“For all their struggles, the Tigers are averaging 5.04 runs per game.”
that’s funny, I thought they were supposed to be the team to beat in the second half.
Ok, now that the road trip is out of the way, let’s pump it up for some positivity this weekend!
Mauer Power back in full force!
Morneau continues to Mash!
Span the catalyst was 2-for-4 yesterday!
Kubel had an awesome series three weeks ago against Seattle!
D Young, baby…back in the Dome!
Can you say Matt Tolbert! I’m thinking we have something here…
I know that Bullp…
Ahh, Franchise baby…it’s all about the Franchise tonight!
Seriously, a sweep of the Tigers is just what the doctor ordered!!!!
Pump it up Minnesota…this is our weekend!
The Twins will Barney Fife this series.
Billy Smith continures to shine as GM. First Monroe, followed quickly by Livan, Everett and Lamb. Then we get Everbody hits Eddie Guardado. Finally, look at the Santana deal now. Gomez? Yeah Go-Go would probably hit .260 in AAA. Heck of an athlete from the neck down. Let’s see we got Humber too. Right. He was so-so in the minors. Helluva swap. Good idea to pass up Ellsbury and Lester and make a bonehead trade. Oh yeah, don’t forget swapping Bartlett who has helped solidify the middle infield for Tampa along with Matt Garza who is throwing better than anyone on the Twins team except Liriano. Yes we got Harris. He sits on the bench, waiting for Punto to pull a hammie. Outstanding job Billy! How long must we tolerate this buffoon? Way to get some right handed power hitters! Way to trade the best closer in the rookie league for Eddie 18.00 ERA Guardado. I’d give Smith a report grade but it only goes to “F” and not “G”.
Bob,
“Good idea to pass up Ellsbury and Lester ”
Ellsbury and Lester were never offered together, but don’t let the truth stop you from discrediting your argument.
Bob the Red Sox never offered Ellsbury and Lester in the same deal. I guess you where not around for the entire winter trading period.
Bob,
Have you checked the standings lately? Some of those players that Smith brought here did make some contributions to where the Twins are today.
Also, let’s wait a few years before we pass final judgment on the Garza for Young deal and the Santana trade. If the Red Sox would have offered Ellsbury and Lester for Santana, I am sure that Smith would have taken it in a heartbeat.
While there is good news coming, like Carlos Quentin out with what may be a broken wrist according to 670 in Chicago, there is at least one other worry tonight.
Historically a team returning from a road trip (especially a long one) comes out flat the first night back. And the fact they didn’t get home until 2:00am and were roughed up on the field this has the feel of the Angels effort vs. the Twins the first two night in Anaheim. Hope I’m wrong but don’t be surprised if they lose again tonight.
Go Twins!
Historically, a team with a payroll as low as the Twins’ don’t make the playoffs very often. I’m optimistic for tonight.
I love how everyone makes this road trip sound like it was a death march during WWII. These guys are millionaires that got a 2 week paid vacation while staying in luxury hotels and flying first class. They even get $100/day per diem. They didn’t endure 10 hour bus rides while staying at Motel 6 (no offense Tom Bowdette). Quit making excuses for these guys. The only excuse I’ll except is that their Manager doesn’t take his job seriously.
Bob,
your post gets an F
man that bruno for tommy herr trade was bad wish we could do that over, we should’ve got ozzie instead. what was mcfail (not kevin) thinking?
Ellsbury and Lester were never included as a package. Please don’t post if you don’t know what you are talking about.
Bob,
I know it’s difficult to look up, but if you had, you’d see Bartlett’s numbers are worse than Punto’s this year.
Carlos Quentin out for the season with fractured forearm. Can anyone confirm?
News from Chicago is that Q will have surgery Monday to place a pin in his wrist….out likely all month. Could definitely be back in October if the Sox beat the Twins for the playoff spot!
Brewers sign Mike Lamb
Yes, it is true - Quentin to have surgery and will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks or so.
The radio show on in the office is questioning if the Sox are even a P-off team without him. Without Quentin, who’s going to drive in their runs? With Konerko and Thome well below their career numbers, teams will now be able to pitch around Dye, and thus a lower run total.
Another reason why things are looking up for the Twins - -
We need Liriano to have a fantastic outing such as in Oakland in Seattle (probably the only one to step up there), but more importnantly, THE OFFENSE NEEDS TO PRODUCE.
If that happens, it could be a Twins win!
I agree with Chi Twins fan that the injury to Quentin bodes well for the Twins…..but still, to suggest that the Sox lineup now has no one to produce RBI’s is a little ridiculous. Thome’s numbers are pretty darn good this year, and you can’t simply “pitch around” Dye with other hitters like Alexi, Konerko, Swisher, AJ, etc. I still think this season comes down to the series at month’s end in the Twin Cities!
barlett: 17 2b, 1 hr, 26 rbi, .279 ave, .319 obp
harris: 27 2b, 6 hr, 45 rbi, .261 ave, .319 obp
nicky: 17 2b, 2 hr, 26 rbi, .288 ave, .342 obp
it would be hard to argue that barletts defense was so much better than harris that it saved 19 runs!
For those of you ripping Bob, maybe he deserved it but he wasn’t lying as some seem to believe. The Sox offered Lester and Ellsbury in separate deals. Bob did not say they were in the same deal, he just said Smith passed on them. Maybe reading something before going off half cocked is in order eh?
I agree, Gob, thanks for the post.
I must have missed a few games, Harris has been a regular, right? Looks like he should be.
Just moved at suntimes.com
Carlos Quentin’s season appears to be over as the White Sox left fielder and MVP candidate suffered a fractured right wrist that will require surgery Monday, according to sources. It’s not certain how Quentin suffered the injury, but speculation is he punched a locker in Boston.
White Sox fan,
how dare you come in here and speak rationally as a baseball fan of another team.
Fans from other teams are supposed to say how great their team is and needle us for being loser Twins fans.
Please do a better job. 
Bob says:
September 5th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Billy Smith continures to shine as GM. First Monroe, followed quickly by Livan, Everett and Lamb. Then we get Everbody hits Eddie Guardado. Finally, look at the Santana deal now. Gomez? Yeah Go-Go would probably hit .260 in AAA. Heck of an athlete from the neck down. Let’s see we got Humber too. Right. He was so-so in the minors. Helluva swap. Good idea to pass up Ellsbury and Lester and make a bonehead trade. Oh yeah, don’t forget swapping Bartlett who has helped solidify the middle infield for Tampa along with Matt Garza who is throwing better than anyone on the Twins team except Liriano
dude, WTF is your problem??
1. Ellsbury has been just as bad as Gomez. They have the same stat line across the board other then a few extra runs and steals for Ellsbury.
2. 4 of the 5 starters for the Twins have an era under 4. Only Perkins at 4.08 is over that number.
3. The problem is the offense, NOT the pitching.
Oh man…..I’m sorry Shawn!!
You are absolutely right, I should’ve said that the loss of our best producing hitter would have zero effect and that we will win out the rest of the season without any more losses! Oh…and the Bears will go 16-0 also. Haha….I’m just hoping the Sox and Twins do stay close the rest of the month because either way it ends, it would be exciting.
I would like to have Lester. He has had a great year. Lowrie and Masterson look like they have good futures also. However, Lester could get cancer again(god forbid), so there is a reservation there.
Mulvey and Gomez both look to have a good upside. Guerra might be a star someday, Humber, well, if he is back next year he might develop as a solid player.
Tokyojanitor,
“Maybe reading something before going off half cocked is in order eh?”
Where does it say THAT in my instructions?
Its too late for me to break old habits.
Haha….I’m just hoping the Sox and Twins do stay close the rest of the month because either way it ends, it would be exciting.
Spoken like a true baseball fan how refreshing.
“Chicago said Quentin will be operated on by hand and wrist specialists..at Rush University”
Rush University will do that surgery in no time.
I want all my surgeries done by Rush surgeons.
Do it fast, or do it right?
Pick one.
no place for a true & reasonable baseball fan on here this is a blog and only uninformed speculation based on very small sample sizes and over reactions are allowed.
oh, as for Bartlett, he sucks…
Let’s compare shall we…
TB shortstop position for the season:
129/493, 18 doubles, 4 triples, 7 homers, 52 runs, 40 rbi, 27 walks, 84 Ks, 20 steals, .262/.308/.357…22 errors
Twins shortstop position for the season:
123/490, 25 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers, 54 runs, 57 rbi, 32 walks, 87 Ks, 8 steals, .251/.295/.355…20 errors
If you want to go Bartlett v Harris….
Bartlett: 106/381, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 1 homer, 39 runs, 26 rbi, 16 walks, 57 Ks, 18 steals, .279/.317/.347…13 errors
Harris: 104/399, 27 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homers, 51 runs, 45 rbi, 34 walks, 93 Ks, 1 steal, .261/.319/.388…12 errors
what’s the problem exactly??
I’m just looking forward to being at US Cellular Field this weekend so I can have one more opportunity this season to yell at Toriiiiiiii (how many I’s does he have?) Although, it’s not nearly the same razzing Torii H. in an Angels uniform
You’re probably going to have a tough year with the Bears, White Sox. Good Luck to your boys in Sept, hopefully the series matters.
“The problem is the offense, NOT the pitching”
I assume you meant to saty “not the starting pitching.” (The defense has also been a problem.)
And I agree 100% about Ellsbury. Can we let him actually put up some numbers before we hand him the ROY?
Sox fan, I agree AJ is having a great year in the #2 hole, but Swish and Paulie have been completely inconsistent. Quintin’s success has helped both Thome and Konerko has only turned it on since Griffey joined in.
That raises another item - with Q out, does it mean more time for Giff and his lackluster D?
Either way, this injury will benefit the Twins. I don’t know if it will hold the Sox down, but it will give the opportunity for the Twins to stay close.
“WhiteSoxFan” was too polite. This stuck out:
” Thome’s numbers are pretty darn good this year, and you can’t simply “pitch around” Dye with other hitters like Alexi, Konerko, Swisher, AJ, etc.”
How in the heck are you only up a game with THAT lineup?
FIRE OZZIE NOW ! ! !
(sarcasm)
Thus my point, Mudcat - -
Liriano has been lights out at home so far since being recalled. Home stats. 3 starts, 18 innings, 1.00 WHIP, 7.50 K/9 and 0.00 ERA.
He should be AL Pitcher of the Month for August after going 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.
Wait i think White sox Fan might be Ozzie in disguise after all we know he has mad love for Gardy and the Twins.
BC, White sox Fan cannot be Ozzie - no cussing in any of the posts!!!
Nico,
Who is this Harris dude you guys are talking about? Did he go on IR?
Twins have been pretty disappointing lately, giving up late inning runs won’t get them very far in the play-offs! Especially against “The Rays” or “The Angles”!
They better start producing some runs because they’re gonna have to face better pitching than “The Jays” had!
Don’t know what this Smith guy is doing
trading away our future with Lamb (Just kiddin), then sending Bass away! What are we getting in return a hot hitting Cuddyer? Wait a minute, is he still on the roster? Where the H-E-double hockey sticks is he? Speaking of hockey has Gabrick been signed yet? Oops, wrong blog!
Elian - just to prove the difference in Chicago newspapers - The Trib is reporting the fracture happened during Q’s first at bat striking out against Lee on Monday.
I think the locker story is more manly though. At least it’s more manly than the Lohse breaking Gardy’s door handle with a chair a couple of years ago, so let’s go with it.
Report that Quenton punched a locker and injured his wrist.
Why can’t Gardy fire up the Twins like that?
GET MAD!!!!!
Nah, never mind.
Well, Gardy’s not a Psychopath. Ozzie has the market cornered there.
Yeah what’s up with Gardy? On the Span play they blew last night, he came out of the dugout and I expected all heck to break lose. He was sitting back down when they came back from commercial.
Gardy has been different this year. Might be his brother passing at such a young age, i know it would make me different. Not Sure! Maybe he is getting burned out.
Bring back Kelly for a year or 2, give Gardy a breather.
Leader of the Twins - PLEASE STEP UP!
Hey Nico! “The problem is the offense not the pitching.” WTF back at ya. Bonser, Rincon, Crain, Bass, Guardado, Guerrier, Hernandez have all been super this year. Right!
My complaint was that we had a chance to pick up a quality left handed pitcher in the Santana deal but instead wound up with Humber and Mulvey. Would you rather have these 2 stiffs?
My other comment was about the crappy pickups Smith made like Monroe, Lamb, Everett, Hernandez, Guardado, etc. and his refusal to get a right handed power hitter and bullpen help despite the money to do so. Only a blind fool would argue that Smith has made great moves and helped the club.
The Twins should do just fine tonight. They play their best against C
The Twins should do just fine tonight. They play their best against Cy Young type pitchers…it’s the rookie’s and pitchers that are 2 and 8 in their last 10, that they can’t hit against.
Bob says:
September 5th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Hey Nico! “The problem is the offense not the pitching.” WTF back at ya. Bonser, Rincon, Crain, Bass, Guardado, Guerrier, Hernandez have all been super this year. Right!
My complaint was that we had a chance to pick up a quality left handed pitcher in the Santana deal but instead wound up with Humber and Mulvey. Would you rather have these 2 stiffs?
1. you’re a tool. listing all the Twins pitchers proves nothing. Nathan blowing saves right and left is a much bigger problem then anyone you named.
2. the answer is yes. I’ll take Humber and Mulvey every day of the week. who is this magical lefty the Mets have? Twins got a great package for Santana, I don’t have a single complaint about it except Gomez had no business being in the Majors this year.
Galarraga is out of control.
16 pitches, 13 balls.
a pitcher with control problems and delmon swings at the first pitch - what a brainless idiot.
Why does Gardy keep playing Punto. He just doesn’t get the job done for me.
