Wednesday pregame: Twins/Indians
Posted on September 17th, 2008 – 2:46 PMBy Joe Christensen
CLEVELAND — Justin Morneau gets a turn at DH, with Brian Buscher playing first base, as the Twins take aim at Cleveland’s Cliff Lee (22-2) in tonight’s series finale.
Updates to come…
Update (4:30 p.m.): Jesse Crain’s flight to Cleveland was delayed, but he’s expected to land by 5:30 (Central) and should be here in time to be available out of the bullpen.
(*) Denard Span and Carlos Gomez are both OK after colliding a bit on the game-ending home run by Victor Martinez.
(*) Gardy continues to be impressed by Jose Mijares, though the Twins want to be careful not to push the kid too far coming off surgery to repair a fractured elbow this winter.
Twins (82-69)
1. Denard Span, RF
2. Alexi Casilla, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Brendan Harris, 3B
7. Brian Buscher, 1B
8. Matt Tolbert, SS
9. Carlos Gomez, CF
Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (9-4, 3.57 ERA)
Indians (74-77)
1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, 2B
3. Shin-Soo Choo, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, SS
5. Victor Martinez, 1B
6. Travis Hafner, 1B
7. Kelly Shoppach, C
8. Franklin Gutierrez, RF
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
Starting pitcher: LH Cliff Lee (22-2, 2.36 ERA)
Progressive Field. First pitch: 6:05 p.m.
524 Responses to "Wednesday pregame: Twins/Indians"
I predict lots of happiness with this lineup.
Looks good, only AL to beat Cliff Lee…
maybe we can do it again?
I won’t even say the big omission from the Twins’ lineup..
But you can’t spell the word “lineup” without those 3 letters!
Gardy put a lot of thought into this lineup.
He probably believes Morneau’s bat has slowed because of the fatigue of a long season. Good to rest him in the DH spot.
He wants to be reassured that Tolbert can handle backing up SS should they go to post-season play.
He wants Buschers bat in the lineup everyday.
He wants to keep Harris involved.
Gardy is a sensational manager.
Shaun
Are you referring to Jason Pridie?
craig,
“He wants to be reassured that Tolbert can handle backing up SS should they go to post-season play.”
Are you referring to THIS year?
Considering that Bill Smith traded away Gardy’s two best starters (Santana and Garza) and his starting SS (Bartlett), Gardy has done a fabulous job. Gardy also lost Torii Hunter from last season
Nick Punto has stepped in and has made an admirable effort as Bartlett’s replacement.
Livan, Boof, and now the other youngsters, have done a good job trying to fill in for the huge losses in the rotation.
Though his fielding is inconsistent, and his hitting is atrocious, Gomez has shown an occasional flash of talent as Hunters replacement.
Still, those were some huge losses poor Gardy had to contend with.
Gardy should be “manager of the year” considering the circumstances.
sid,
Yes. This post-season, if they make it.
If Jason Pride’s nickname is 3 letters and is in “lineup,” sure I meant him!
Gardy is going to have to leave some players off any post-season roster. He may take both Everett and Tolbert, or he might only choose one. He knows what Everett can do. He wants to take another peek at Tolbert at SS.
Honestly, you may not love Gardy’s way of managing, but I don’t see how you can argue with his results this year. Bottom line is this ball club has given a great effort and made this a great season.
Now, next year the expectations grow. especially if a move happens for a guy like Atkins.
Craig,
Kudos for defending Gardy and Punto from the angry mob.
There is little doubt that those two absorb far more blame than they deserve.
J.O.P.
Jason Orville Pridie
13-0 Indians.
3 letters? can ya spot me a letter?
sid,
I don’t agree with every move Gardy makes, and I don’t think Punto is a superstar, by any means.
Truth is, Punto has done a credible job wherever Gardy has used him, and the W-L column speaks for Gardy. Gardy has done amazingly well, with a small handful of stars and a lot of mediocre players.
Good one, Shaun!
Has anyone besides Morneau played more games than Punto since late July? Forget the fact that Punto should be out of the lineup in general, the guy probably actually needs a break.
lineup —> LNP
Go twinks, bring up the spirits with a win against the soon to be AL CY Young winner
Tobias,
Yes, Span & Young have played more games than Punto since the ASB.
Span has played everygame since the ASB.
You win Ben!
You get Gardy’s old water softner.
Punto should be taking notes from Tolbert on how to fundamentally play a game of baseball.
A lot of people were ripping on Craig Monroe’s ability here. So much they released him in favor of Ruiz. SO……why isn’t he playing??
Punto out of the lineup, big plus… Kubel still not IN the lineup, big minus. We have lost 3 games straight and who was on the bench the whole time? Kubel.
Our manager can’t decide from one day to the next if Kubel and Harris are in or not. I am sure he slaved over the decision not to have Punto in the lineup!
I’m sure he had a private meeting with LNP and told him he’d be in for sure in the late innings for “defense”
How come the indians can start 2 first basemen and 2 second basemen but no 3rd basemen or a designated hitter
On one my way to get a keg…let the celebration begin.
We are back in the race with a real line-up and no more LM’s and LNP’s.
Let the Tolbert era begin
“We have lost 3 games straight and who was on the bench the whole time? Kubel.”
No cause and effect, I would say, but one can never know that for certain regarding any player who didn’t play.
What is bigger news in the Twins Cities sports pulse?
Punto or Jackson to the bench?
I would have to say Punto..this is way overdue!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no reason for nicky to not be playing, he is a great example to all the young guys on how to battle your tail off, get after it, run the bases and take quality at bats, while being a steady reliable defensive star. a very close 2nd in team mvp!
MarkW,
When Kubel learns how to hit LHP he can play against LHP. Until then, he sits against LHP, especially a guy like Lee.
LHP
Kubel
Ave/OBP/Slug
.237/.333/.355
How the 4 guys he could have replaced in the lineup who all play FAR superior defense may I add…
Gomez
Ave/OBP/Slug
.272/.313/.395
Span
Ave/OBP/Slug
.315/.422/.533
Young
Ave/OBP/Slug
.295/.341/.429
Morneau
Ave/OBP/Slug
.286/.328/.465
Let’s not let facts get in the way of our complaining….
TNAIC: Well, when someone rides the pine, they can’t contribute in any way to even try to help the team win… and when that person has better offensive numbers than all but 2 other players, the reasoning is inexcusable at this point in the season.
This is why Gardy is NOT a good manager.
The manager mixes and matches as best he can. He tries to put players in situations where they are most likely to succeed. Gardy learned that from the master, TK.
Kubel has gotten a little pull happy this season. He’s trying too hard to hit HR. Same with Harris.
AaronK: Sorry, but you lose me when Gardy starts Buscher over Kubel against LHP…so he certainly isn’t using stats to back up his decision.
Defense doesn’t matter when we give up all of our runs via Homerun.
And to say Gomez is anywhere near Kubel offensively is ridiculous… try again.
oh no….do we need to worry about a pinch hitting opportunity in the late innings with the bases loaded?
MarkW,
Those better offensive numbers only exist because Gardy keeps Kubel away from LHP whenever possible. thank god, because he simply cannot hit LHP. He never has been able to.
Gobble…..I’m speechless.. Oh wait..it’s a bit.
Craig: Pull happy? Trying too hard? I guess you hate homeruns just as much as Gardy does… At least they have a chance of actually hitting one… IF they played.
MarkW,
#1Defense matters a lot. Our defensive OF saves lots of hits and runs all year.
#2 Gomez outhits Kubel against LHP. If you don’t believe me, then look at the numbers. It is no secret.
#3 Morneau is getting a DH day, that means someone has to play first. Are you suggesting Kubel play first? if not, what is your beef with Buscher playing?
Bottom line, we are facing a LHP tonight. If we are playing a RHP, I am right in line with you.
MarkW,
As AaronK points out, Kubel doesn’t have better numbers against LHP.
AaronK: any more lame excuses for not playing Kubel? Why is Buscher in then? you dont make any sense.
Kubel, in my opinion, will be traded this off-season and they will have a new DH next year.
Too little too late. Should have Punto out games ago…..I hope Buscher can dig them out like M….Taking a BIG change playing someone at a new position they haven’t played all year in a must game. That’s a lot of pressure for Buscher plus wanting him to bat against lefty.
MarkW,
Lame excuses? Not being able to hit LHP is a lame excuse? lol, we are facing the best LHP in teh game today!
I already addressed Buscher, someone needs to play first.
I predict LNP out of the line-up for one night only. Gardy just loves the little fella cause he gets after it, battles his tail off….
What was the purpose of getting Ruiz up here then? I know he can’t field…. but can’t he hit?
I’m saying you point at numbers to why Kubel isn’t in against LHP, and yet Buscher is playing… that doesn’t make sense. I never said to take Gomez out… I’m merely saying to play Kubel (he is our 3rd best offensive players) and you can check the numbers on that. LHP/RHP, doesn’t matter at this point.
I think Gardy sees something in Buscher’s nice short batting stroke, that tells him he may succeed against LHP. He hasn’t been given much of a chance to show what he can do. Kubel, on the other hand, has been given many opportunities against LHP. Often, he looks just awful.
Buscher doesn’t need to play 1B, Morneau can… he’s not that tired all of a sudden that he needs to just DH, it’s stupid. You’re in a must win situation and Gardy has to mix around all of his players… it’s insane.
Everyone has the right to question Gardy’s moves throughout the season. I think no one can really question that he has gotten the most out of his players, and what he was given.
What has really hurt Gardy this year is the “performance” of his bullpen. They just did not execute - even Nathan lately. Now we can’t ask the Bullpen to be perfect but let’s say with an ‘Average’ bullpen effort the last 2 months I think the Twins would have won at least 5 more games putting them 2 and a half games ahead of the White Sux. All of us would agree that would be an outstanding position to be in.
Gardy has tried to find that 8th inning guy since Neshek went down, but the fact remains is he was not there. The Bullpen has just not executed when I think Gardy has made reasonable Bullpen moves - and it may have cost us the division.
has someone called cal ripken jr. to let him know his consecutive game streak record is now safe again.
the one good thing about buscher playing first is he probably won’t have to make a throw. is cuddy still in bad shape that he couldn’t play first? think he’d be a better option against lee. if we do have a late pinch hitting spot nicky will be ready to drive them in. he’s a rbi machine!
Does Jermaine Dye from the White Sox get days off? Don’t think so.. bad managing I agree with Mark.
MarkW,
I guess you are suggesting that Kubel play first base tonight. If not, you are suggesting he hit over Morneau in the DH spot.
Gardy to date has allowed Justin to decide when he needs a DH day, but this may have even been forced since Justin has looked a little tired.
As for the comment that, LHP/RHP doesn’t matter? Sorry buddy, but Kubel is protected by getting the majority of his AB’s agaisnt RHP. He is simply unusable against LHP. He can’t hit LHP and he is horrible in the field.
He makes no sense to start tonight. Sorry.
Span RF
Casilla 2B
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Kubel DH
Young LF
Tolbert SS
Harris 3B
Gomez CF
I guess that’s too hard to construct. we wouldn’t want to try to win a game.
Morneau is probably getting a little weary. He’s played quite a bit of baseball. Gardy is trying to give him a break without taking him out entirely. Smart thinking.
Craig-
Morneau can get his rest in 2 weeks. Need his defense in there. Remember the last time he DH’d? We ended up losing because the idiot that was at first.
AaronK: I guess you know that Justin is soo tired today he can’t manage standing at 1B all night.. give me a break, I think he’s fine. Gardy’s going on what his gut tells him, and he’s usually wrong.
Kubel is protected? sorry, that doesn’t make any sense… like I keep saying, he’s better offensively than anyone on the team besides Mauer and Morneau and should be playing in a pennant race, period.
Duane,
I agree with you about needing Morneau at 1B, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Justin asked for this. He has in the past.
Mark,
Have you seen his ab’s against a lefty?
We must not be watching the same game.
Against the best pitcher in the AL in a must win situation and Morneau asks to be out of the game? Wow, that would show what a leader he is… I highly doubt that happened.
This is why Buscher usually gets the nod over Harris:
Harris: - 409 AB - 48 RBI
Buscher: - 206 AB - 46 RBI
That’s also why Gardy wants to see if Buscher can produce against LHP. He’s driving in as many runs as Harris, in half the AB.
MarkW,
For the last time…
He is protected by not having to face LHP on a regular basis. This prevents his ave, OBP, and SLUG from dropping lots of points. He has been given multiple chances to play “everyday” and has been unable to do so. If your only job is to hit then you need to hit. He has proven he cannot hit LHP.
As for the comment about Justin….he has said his legs have been bothering him and Gardy has been working with him to get him days off his legs. That has been reported in recent weeks.
Same thing could have been said of Monroe versus Kubel too, CRAIG!
[…] Around the Majors – […]
Yes, i have, have you seen Buscher’s? the idea that one starts over the other because of numbers is ridiculous, because clearly Buscher shouldn’t be starting either then…
I think Gardy just can’t stand the thought of having the same lineup each night. He is trying feverishly to get that magical perfect lineup and it isn’t gonna happen! How many different lineup configurations has he had this year? I bet well over 30.
MARK-
Buscher has a better RBI’s to AB’s ratio then Kubel.
Not the last time… you are saying two different things and trying to prove one point… He’s protected by getting limited playing time vs LHP, BUT has been given multiple chances to play everyday? which is it? I think he has 90 ABs this year against LHP… I’d hardly say that he’s been given a chance at all.. Gardy is an impulse manager and yanks Kubel out of the lineup whenever he can. No sense to it at all.
Duane, I wont get into the RBI talk again, but that doesn’t tell me anything about either player…
Assistant GM, Rob Antony, said the Twins are comfortable with Brian Buscher as the everyday 3B next season.
I think if he works on his throws in the off-season, he is all right. Not a superstar, but a good 3B for the Twins.
I’m looking forward to see how Buscher performs against LHP. I think with his nice short swing he will do the job. Much like Span and Mauer. Kubel is more of a platoon guy.
Buscher, in 42 ABs .214/.250/.214
Wow, blowing me away there… you’re right, we should play Buscher instead of Kubel…
MarkW,
Over the last couple years he has been given stretches of time to prove he can hit LHP. He has 237 career ABs against LHP and his career numbers are no better.
Perhaps you missed early in the year when Gardy said he would get him more than 400+ ABs. He played him almost every day and he failed. Now he chooses to play him in the role that he is best at. DH against RHP. Nothing wrong with that, but some fans just can’t separate the two.
MarkW,
Buscher is playing 1B tonight…why you continue to compare them is beyond me. We don’t have another option other than Justin…who apparently is not playing 1B tonight. The sore legs after a long game last night are probably really sore today.
No Punto!! Meaning no bad base running, no careless errors, and no automatic outs with runners in scoring position.
Gardy needs to stop looking at the %’s and numbers and just go with his gut feeling sometimes. Paralysis by over analysis = Gardenhire. He is the type of manager who would bat someone over someone else just because he batted .251 instead of .249 against a certain pitcher. Oh brother…
Jacque Jones was the ultimate platoon type player. I think Gardy learned his lesson from that. He played Jacque against LHP, and Jacque was awful. It hurt the Twins. I think Jacque and Craig Monroe are now both out of baseball??????????
He’s only been a started for 2 years, this year and last year, he came off knee surgery after 2005 and only had 220 ABs in 2006… he had a down 2007 but turned in on late in the year becoming the Twins best hitter from August on… even better than Morneau… He struggled early this season but still has produced .276/.341/.462 line this season in 431 ABs, with 21 doubles, and 17 HRs and for all of the RBI lovers, 72 RBI, which is 6th, 2nd, and 3rd on the team…
So once again… I rest my case on why Kubel should be in the lineup.
**starter
why can’t cuddy play first he has to hit better against lh pitching. can’t be that hard on his foot for one game. not really the time to see if buscher can hit lh pitching with his .214 ave unless gardy is playing for next yr already.
Cuddy has bad memories of standing at first base….remember Garret Jones’ hit? uh huh…
He’s also 4th in Total Bases and 3rd in Walks (46), 2nd in SLG% on the team behind Morneau…, 5th in hits… i could go on I guess, but maybe some have realized where I’m going with this.
The thing with Kubel is, against some LHP he is just completely over-matched. It’s embarrassing to watch. Three pitches and back to the bench.
Sore Legs? Like I said, I think the former MVP would be out there with sore legs, this is all Gardy and it comes at the worst time…
You need to win, you put your best players on the field to try to accomplish that. You try to find out if a guy can hit LHP and play 1B adequately to get a guy some rest… if you lose, you’ll be resting plenty come Oct 1st. Good luck Twins, you’ll need it.
MarkW,
You rest your case…great, but your case continues to lack the important meat. His numbers are great against RHP where the majority of his AB’s are.
For instance he has 33 career RBI’s and 5 HRs in 237 AB’s against LHP. That must be the power you are looking for tonight. Wow, that ought to help us tonight against Cliff Lee.
no doubt buscher will star tonight probably drive in the winning run, it looks like such a bad match up it has to work.
it’s nice to have punto on the bench to pinch hit whenever the game may be on the line. hope he gets that new contract soon.
doesn’t ruiz play first base? what’s he hitting against lefties?
Craig: I agree with you there, he does look over matched against some LHP, but it doesn’t take away the fact that he has a good bat and can knock the ball out of the park.. I just think benching him for the past 4 games is a huge mistake.
MarkW,
In case you haven’t noticed, Justin has been struggling miserably since he spoke about his legs. I don’t know that he has been helping us win lately. Gardy is trying to get him right…its management. Something is bothering Justin, he just isn’t the same right now.
AaronK, whenever you bring RBI into the argument, you lose credibility with me…
hey, if it works out tonight, I’ll say we dont need Kubel anymore and we should send him packing…
gobble, I think Ruiz does play 1B. My understanding is his defense is so bad he couldn’t play in the field in HS. I don’t think he will ever play in the field in MLB.
gobble,
That was a funny post. Ruiz has tried to play 1B over the last decade. No success so far.
MarkW,
Kubel would hit 8-10 HR’s a year if he faced LHP all year (projecting 500 AB). he would also hit around .240 doing it. This as a DH contributing in no other way to the game. Just putting in perspective what you are saying…
like i said at least buscher shouldn’t have to throw the ball anywhere, i hope.
you’re projecting from a small sample size, but regardless… My point has always been to play your best offensive players in a pennant race and with Kubel on the bench, it’s not helping us as opposed to saying he MIGHT hurt us by not getting it done against LHP. I’m saying, you need to take that risk and see…
Greater the risk, greater the reward.
Cabrera
Wise
Dye
Thome
Konerko
Clubhouse-killer
Junior
Alien Ramirez
Uribe
LHP
Kubel
Ave/OBP/Slug
.237/.333/.355
Buscher
.214/.250/.214
(career FP at 1B .986, 15 games in all levels of pro ball)
Ruiz
.273/.351/.394
(career FP at 1B .980, 269 games in all levels)
a no-brainer
MarkW,
We agree to disagree then, 237 AB’s is half a season worth and not that small.
Johnny
Captain
Bobby
A-makes more than the marlins-Rod
Stache
Xavier Nady
Robinson-name better than game-Cano
Pudge
MELKY
Kubel has 93 AB against LHP, Mauer has 159. It’s not like Gardy never lets Kubel bat against LHP. He just tries to keep him away from those he thinks will be really tough on him. The straight change, reportedly, is the pitch that Kubel really struggles with.
See, Ruiz should be playing if you go by numbers… and that’s my problem with Gardy, he’ll do something based on numbers and then the next day do something based on his gut…
I’d like to see Kubel, Ruiz, AND Morneau in the lineup.. however, we’d hear the cries of missing defense and speed…
Randy Thrylos Ruiz, will not be playing any at 1B.
Ruiz will NEVER play 1B in MLB. If he ever does I will be stunned. Every report I have ever read from scouts, coaches, ext says he cannot play defense in the majors.
However, I do not mind him getting AB’s as a DH in a platoon with Kubel.
Livan 5 IP 0 ER
I would rather see what Macri has to offer in a DH platoon, than watching Ruiz. I think the job belongs to Cuddyer for now.
Gardy was letting Kubel hit against lefties, I think realizing Kubel has to be in the lineup if they make the playoffs. Coinsistency is everything. But with Cuddyer’s foot apparently healed now, Gardy has decided to once again become inconsistent and mix and match. This is the kind of mis-management late in the season that will cost this team an opportunity to get in the playoffs. You can’t leave a guy like Kubel on the bench for three or four games (with a pinch hit appearance here and pinch hit appearance there) in a row and then expect him to come back and tear it up. In my personal opinion, Kubel should have started at least one of these recent games against lefties. I believe Gardy is thinking a little too much…mixing and matching at the wrong point in the season. Just my opinion.
Atta boy Mauer.
Baker seems to have some nice movement, but he is really fighting his command. Something to watch coming off short rest.
This is one game where I wouldn’t mind Gomez bunting every single pitch to see if he can really get Lee mad! 
I hope Cabrera takes one in the ribs for that
Geez that wasn’t even that hard to see. He was clearly pushed off the bag.
Awful call.
That call cost us a run and a run against cliff Lee is a big freaking deal!
Wouldve been nice if Harris had been standing at second there…
We NEED to get some runs now because odds are he will settle down.
I agree…and it isn’t looking like Baker has great command. So that could equal some runs or a short start. Either puts are pen in a tough spot.
Where are the Harris diciples after that play at second? If Punto had done that there would be 50 comments already. If not for Harris getting out, we’d have another run now.
kubel sucks vs leftys.
look at the numbers idiots.
Somehow I can’t get myself to blame him for getting PUSHED off the bag…
Well I am busy working, but I think it was an awful call, but I agree it would have been nice to have a second run….. and I probably wouldn’t have responded quick for Punto’s head because I generally get attacked for it so I am over it…..
1-0 Sox
work 8-5? hah, I have never had one of those…… oh well, back to work…..
I bet Gomez is loving that!
Way to go Carlos!
yay Carlos!!!!
Go-go…Gone!
shit
Atta boy Baker.
13 homeruns, so far, in 4 games.
baker probably will make it through 5 and thats it with that pitch count climbing, maybe phil humber will grace us with his lovely pitching,
Humber is out of options next year sure am glad we got him in the santana trade as he hopefully wont be with thebig team next year
Cleveland sure looks comfortable at the plate this series. 8 homers and not one high hard one.
I wish the Indians would have kept me. I would have had at least 3 HRs this series.
i havent been hear for a long time do yu guys think Jose Mijares can make the ballpen next year he’s done a good job in his three games
Baker at 82 pitches
Mijares - if he keeps pitching the way he has been i am sure he will, but we will have to wait and see. He sure can bring the heat though!
sox rookie clay richard is 1 hitting the yanks through 5.
if the mvp wants another mvp a homerun here would help a whole lot.
Here we go!
Can’t keep leaving all those ducks on the pond!
could someone not named morneau step up and get a clutch hit - you know, like a hit with a runner on third base.
Sure shows the need for one more good hitter with a little power. Delman just hasn’t done what was hoped for.
here come the yankees
Wow, Melky sucks. Two on, no outs. Bunt pop out to catcher…
C’mon Jeter…
Damn
nice hit and run
Great job Gardy…
just fabulous
ANOTHER great call by gardenFIRE!!
The killer about this start is…we only get 4 2/3 out of Baker and we lose having Liriano against the White Sox.
It is like a double dagger.
Day late, dollar short for the greatest manager in ML baseball. What a decisive leader…..
Did you see Liriano last night? I don’t know if I would really want him facing the White Sox…..
gladden is in shock that they pitched to choo instead of ibb with first base open
Liriano had a bad game. Let’s release him he is no longer good. LOL
Gardy either 1) should have yanked him and had a left ready, or 2) IBB Choo, hes been ripping the cover off the ball lately!
Twins may have the fewest walks but they probably have given up the most HRs as well.
and ballgame….fun season, till about a month ago.
And hits.
With the Twins giving up so many HRs these days, I wonder how mnay the White Sox will hit next week against the boys?
When the teams’ pitchers wear out, they do it together and fast!
twins have given up 169 hrs, second to only the baltimore orioles. but i think we can catch them.
This is the beginning of the end…The lose 2 of 3 to the Tribe and Chicago takes 2 of 3 from NY and this team will NOT be able to make it back….
It’ll take a miracle and I think God is busy right now….
The Yankees can get one run off of Richard? Are they purposly throwing this series? It seems like it.
can’t, i mean
The wheels sure come off fast, don’t they?
I’m watching this fiasco on MLB.tv with the Cleveland feed showing a moping, despondent Gardy with his head down in the dugout. I hope Bill Smith is seeing some of this.
How many do we win at the Trop?
Depends on how many the white sox win.
Extremely fast. Last week the starting pitching was fine. This week that has been gone.
Finally Yankees score, 1-1
0
We don;t win at the Trop. We will get swept. Doesn’t really matter now. 3 1/2 is too much for these losers to overcome.
Gardy needs the boot
any objections?
thanks to AJ, Yankees take the lead!
I wouldn’t mind giving the whole team the boot the way they’ve been playing.
thrylos,
sorry, but I fully object. I don’t like everything he does, but his results speak for themselves. Experts around the game would disagree with you 100%.
no objections re gardy. 2-1 yanks on wild pitch
Perkins v Shields (13-8, 3.50)
Blackburn v Jackson (11-11, 4.33)
Slowey v Kazmir (11-7, 3.50)
Liriano v Sonnanstine (13-7, 4.33)
New and Improved. Now you are making sense. Ruiz will NEVER play 1st base for the Twins. Ask them to check out the scouting reports. Ruiz could not hem one up in a basket at Spring Training and was a big liability at 1st at AAA.
Buscher will improve his throwing before next year, I promise…..And he has hit lefties pretty well as of late. Meaning his last 10 at bats or so this year.
I agree he will be solid at 3rd but not great. Still the hardest worker on the team. I understand also that he has the best skills shown on the current club to back up 1st base. Check out his career #s against lefties. He can hit them……
Not good results tonight but Lee is a really good pitcher.
Not a harder worker on the team nor a better teammate……
That accounts for something, or at least, it should.
Bullpin is of more concern. And Delmon’s K’s. And Gomez’ wild swings.
Looked like a passed ball on AJ’s part.
The problem with this team is it seems to play to the level of their competition, so I would not be at all suprised for them to get a spilt with TB even though TB is playing well right now, and Twins barely qualify to be minor league team at the moment…sigh
and here is Butcher with a critical error at first
what a joke
Not long ago everyone was annointing Scott Baker the future Ace. Been awhile since he looked anything like that. Liriano could still be an ace but Baker is at best a 3, maybe a 4. The rest of the lot are 5’s at best.
Hard to say an error is critical when the team is probably going to lose the game regardless
baker is the team’s best starting pitcher
i did not see it, but cbs sportsline says it was a wild pitch.
…and inning over so not too critical
Mr thrylos (8:15), I’m with you!! Gardy “made his bones” against a AAA AL Central in ‘02-04. He inherited Kelly’s players and structure. In 2006, most of the Twins had career years and they still got blown out in the first round. Screw the “praise”, this guy is grossly overrated.
it’s nice to see casilla finally take advantage of the 3rd baseman playing him at 75 ft
This is where we tie it.
The name is Buscher. And the error was on Crain dumbbutt…
Those ERA’s I listed up there are no typo. As of tonight, it actually goes 3.50, 4.33, 3.50, 4.33.
Why didnt lexi score?
Swing on those, Baby Jesus.
Now the common wisdom is that the twins are going to score…
Keep calling him “Butcher”, thyroid.
because he had to wait to see if the ball was caught…
thrylos,
Eat some crow right now. If you are going to attack a player for an error when it was no error you should correct yourself. That ball was thrown on the other side of the baserunner and “Butcher” almost broke his wrist trying to save the ball.
Stikeout call here on Morneau
MVP
What are the chances we tie it with 1 out?
Come on delmon do something
Twins desperately need a HR
just put it in the air delmon
…just the guy you want at the plate here.
sigh
Not good
DY will somehow hit into a DP
strikeout for sure
well AaronK (and the rest of Buscher’s cousins here),
he butchered that ball. Morneau would have had that. It is that simple…
4-1 Yanks
Delmon has to put the ball in play.
actually thylos i think anyone who knows anything knows that wasn’t on buscher.
Nice hit, Delmon Young.
thank you
I love when a good player shuts up a bunch of complainers with an outstanding AB against the best pitcher in MLB this year.
Nicely done Delmon!
At least the twins tied it up for the bullpen
a cluch hit by someone not named morneau
Heatonator says:
September 17th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
This is where we tie it.
I wouldn’t get too excited. Joe is going to blow another one for us tonight.
5-1
It would be nice if Delmon scored and the twins ended up being the only AL team to beat Lee. And they would do it twice…
mighty casey,
how about that great play on the bases? That wasn’t on Buscher, too?
I have no issues with the guy. He is a sub-par baseball player. Period. The only issue I have is with the manager who keeps playing him ahead of better players.
thrylos,
That response is exactly what I expected from you. It is far easier to sit around and rip others than take credit for your own mistakes.
Okay, this dude has an ERA of 7.15 and Harris is hitting .267 against righties. Something has to give…
what play on the bases? you mean when tolbert hit into a DP?
who is better than brian buscher?
thrylos,
I somewhat agree with that. Buscher is probably our best option against RHP at 3rd as sad as it is. He is just playing first tonight becaues Justin has been awful of late. It seems to have worked because Justin has snapped out of it.
thyroid,
There are many legitimate opportunities to blast Gardy and Buscher, but you aren’t smart enough to limit yourself to THOSE opportunities.
You feel the need to include the situations when Gardy and Buscher are NOT at fault, thereby destoying your credibility for the legitimate criticisms.
Either your objectivity or your baseball knowledge is flawed, but something is badly lacking in your evaluations of players/managers that you dislike (hate?)
buscher is playing because morneau needed a break at 1B. not because he is “struggling”
Some great AB’s tonight…Harris with another right there!
Mighty,
What I meant is he is tired, legs are sore, and has struggled because of that. Sorry for the confusion.
Who thinks Busch League bounces into a DP?
struggling physically… agreed
Buscher is hitting .335 against righties, how is that sad?
All i am saying is that the guy is awful on the field (and yes, mighty casey, that base running did not to be a double play if he had not sat there like a sitting duck) and the base paths. He might be a decent bat against righties, but his defense is awful.
Today there was a lefty starting. There were better options to start at first. And (again) this is not about Buscher. It’s about Gardy.
And of course the guy with a 7.15 ERA slams the door
Summary of every single Thrylos post-
WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH FIRE GARDY WAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
LOL, actually you said much more. You ripped Buscher for making an error when the ball was thrown on the other side of the baserunner.
If you just wanted to say he was horrible on defense I would have agreed with you!
that’s a tough baserunning play. you’re taught not to run into a tag in that situation, but at the same time if you are caught too far in between the bases you will be inevitably doubled up anyways… tough play.
.335 is more than a ‘decent’ bat against righties.
who was gardy to play at first base that is a ‘better option’ than buscher?
btw, buscher had 2 solid plate appearances vs cliff lee tonight, with 1 k.
Okay the WSox lost, may the baseball gods have pity on Minny…
Well at least the Twins will stay at 2 1/2 games back. There is always a silver lining in our losses.
wow, Jose gets a big nod here. I sure hope he comes through.
Come on G-Unit. Hit it out of the park!
Haven’t I seen this movie before?
I like this infield.
Nice Play by Mijares.
Heck of a play by the young pitcher there! wow
Mijares is really starting to impress me. Its like a junior Reyes… only with more talent and more zip
That was a really nice play by Mijares, really close play at first.
GOd damnit, bad news bears baseball
Ok Mijares has pitched to 2 guys, better pull him for Eddie.
What was that? Ugh
Followed up by a horrible play by mauer and mauer. That is unacceptable. Nice decoy by Casilla though, it fooled the baserunner…
was that gardy’s fault too?
WTF was that!!!???
Mauer and mauer…
Mauer and span
or was it punto’s?
Wow, that throw was really off! Get’s bailed out by the dumb runner, but then Span misses it and even the dumb runner can go a base. Ughhh
Punto saved a run with the deke.
lol @ Craig
Wow, that was an awesome K.
Twins look determined to not win again this year.
Casilla though at least tried by “tagging” the guy.
what a pitch!!!!!11
Like I said, Gardy and Buscher are flawed enough to warrant criticicism often.
But to MAKE UP mistakes for them is just LAME!
Wow, what a pitch. This guy has me excited…anyway he can get on the playoff roster just in case we accidentally get in.
One more out.
that was a messed up play all the way.
that was a great play by punto
Yep, better bring him out after he pitched really good and fielded his position excellent. For Guerrier no less! Come on.
Ground Control to Major Span…what was that?
Yep that’ll work!
Keep the kid out there for the 8th if he gets through this.
Uh oh, Gardy managing by numbers again.
Notice we don’t have posts killing Span right now? Not that I want them, it is just funny. His mistake was obvious and really unexplainable yet nothing. Buscher almost breaks his arm trying to save a ball and he gets “butchered”
Indian’s announcers make a good point - Reyes and Mijares could be twins (little ‘t’). They could share clothes. Mijares might need a belt though.
Come on Jhnonny. Knock it out baby!
any other objectors than “Skips Scramble” on the statement that Gardy’s gotta go?
Aaron,
Span was a bonehead there. Enough said.
you must have missed mine thrylos
Gardy definitely has to go.
Notice we don’t have posts killing Span right now?
I said that he made a horrible play, but I did refer to him as mauer…
i’m behind gardy as well
You seem to have something personal against him because he gets so much out of so little I don’t care how often I disagree with him he gets more out of these young players then a lot of managers get out of a lot more.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I also object, but I wish Gardy would have left Mijares in there…hope it works out…
“any other objectors than “Skips Scramble” on the statement that Gardy’s gotta go?”
Yes, the entire Twins Front Office.
So keep wasting your time!
Why do we take out Mijares? He is the only Twins reliever that hasn’t blown a game yet this season…
He is a late call-up with AAA season ending early and he has been very consistent in his outings…
Gardy is trying to make miracle work and it is costing us games. Is anyone else sick of the musical chairs?
i second that, skips
Gardy is an idiot for taking the twins’ best bullpen pitcher out for one of the worst. Again, what an idiot.
Gas Can Guerrier!
THIS GAME’S OVER!
i cannot even get pissed any more. it so effing predictable
I’m scared, guys.
He has only himself to blame.
just to make sure it is not a one run game, here comes the two run homer.
If it took Gardy a long time to fall asleep last night, I imagine he won’t sleep at all tonight.
Managing our bullpen by situation rather than skills is destroying this year. You take out Mijares and put in Guerrier. . . . because a righty is coming to the plate. That’s situational management. It has not worked all year.
yeah, that worked out alright…
why not intentionally walk the guy and have Mijares pitch to Martinez? Guerrier’s arm is shot….
He is the only manager in baseball that would have replaced Mijares with Guerrier. A fool’s fool.
Way to go Cleveland!
Agree.
Mijares should not have been replaced.
Two nights in a row!
If Guerrier gets him then no one says a word other then perhaps “he got lucky.” If Mijares stays in and walks him or gives up a bomb then everyone jumps on him for not bringing in Nathan in the 7th. He can’t win because some people are never satisfied.
Unreal…
They should have picked up Ryan Hoag in the offseason.
I agree with TC fan…it is like clockwork…I can’t take it
i second that again, skips
Memo to Gardy:
Gurrier sucks.
Sincerely,
Captain Obvious
“he can’t win because some people re never satisfied”…no he can’t win because he can’t manage a bullpen
gardy’s record certainly does speak for itself. how can you people defend this idiot.
Yet again, Matt Guerrier costs a game. He needs to be gone next year. He’s horrible. Would rather have Rincon back then this garbage.
Yes, because it would have been lucky if he had gotten the out. Guerrier has been done for weeks!
Is it too late to contract this team?
Wow, Guerrier is awesome!
I disagree skips
too many times has gary made this mistake this season… it gets old
sssssssk nugs
Skips and casey, You sure know a great manager when you see him. Of course, of late you may well be the same posTer.
Gardy’s is too loyal to his players and pitchers who have done well in the past.
His loyalty is misplaced, when those guys are stuggling.
Because before gardy, when was the last winning season.
Delmon Young is one of the worst fielders in the league. What a terrible trade that was. Bill Smith is going to kill this team!
Skips,
Because Mijares has not yet blown a game for the Twins and appears to have a fresher arm than anyone else in the pen.
Guerrier has stunk for months now!
everyone calm down…twins are going to tie this up, then lose it in the 9th
Gatty,
Last winning season before Gardy was 2001.
you make a good point gatty…sssssk
TK won two world series while Gardy wee wee’s himself when he get’s to the playoffs (when he doesn’t wee wee away the last month of the regular season like this one)
Guerrier blows. You just had to KNOW he was going to give up a run or two.
What a performance by Gardy, he sure battled his tail off today. A ball isn’t hit out of the infield and he pulls his only effective pitcher.
Gardy will never learn his mixing and matching in the BP does not work! If the guy that is pitching isn’t giving up runs why take him out? Not as if their is anyone of competance to replace him. Our bullpen has no consistency at all. Another example tonight.
This whole organization is filled with tards. From top to bottom. I wouldn’t mind them cleaning house and getting rid of everybody inclusing Justin “I can’t hit when it counts” Morneau
For what it’s worth:
“(*) Gardy continues to be impressed by Jose Mijares, though the Twins want to be careful not to push the kid too far coming off surgery to repair a fractured elbow this winter.”
Do you even remember the mid 90’s and late 90’s. This is paradise in comparison.
Gardy is a moron and gutless. He only goes to mijares as a last last last resort. God forbid if he took a chance on the one guy that can save this bullpen. bring in geurer to give up the hit and then intentional walk for the better match up. Well gardy, you could have walked peralta and then have mijares pitch to the lefty. Hell I’ll take my chances on him pitching to the righty. God dang twins and their conservative ways. it so sucks!
guerrier just needs to mix his pitches…and does anyone fault dick anderson at all for the bullpen’s problems? He doesn’t seem to catch any heat…like some batting coach did earlier this season
If he can’t pitch a full inning why bother calling him up?
I must say something positive as I know it isn’t easy right now…
The team has really faught hard these last couple games. They keep coming back only to get smacked down again. Hopefully they can fight back yet again.
Is not how you spell it idiot
Hey “I hate the sox even more says”
Put down the crack pipe!
Our only hope is if Cleveland puts Rincon in there to face our 1-4 hitters.
If Mauer’s throw hadn’t been offline, we might still have a tie now. Mijares could have finished the inning, I think.
mijares threw 9 pitches, i think he could have thrown a few more.
Nora,
Don’t forget he threw last night as well. It is the back to back nights as well.
How many pitches did he throw yesterday?
Gardy is an idiot again. He has no clue how to handle a pitching staff. Granted, Mijares threw a wild pitch, but everything hit was on the ground, and he had a strikeout. There was no need to replace him. Gardy over-manages, period. This team won when they had the same line-up one day to the next, not changing it every day. But the biggest problem is he can’t handle a bullpen. Bad, bad decisions.
victor martinez is a switch-hitter, smart one
AaronK,
ONE MORE BATTER!
Nora,
Both good points there.
I never will understand why Gardy can’t stand to leave a lefty reliever in vs a righty. I mean LH starters have to face righties so what gets Gardy’s undies in a bunch when a righty is due up against a lefty?
Ironically Dennys Reyes has said he is really impressed by how well Gardy and the twins handle the pen.
He threw 7 pitches yesterday, not exactly a taxing load…
For the record I was hoping Mijares stayed in…but nit picking every decision is easy in front of my laptop.
It’s true, Morneau has been crap lately. He can get a key hit to save his life.
come on guys geez
Nice at-bat Denard
Thyroid. I bet Buscher didn’t ask to play 1st base this late in the season. He’s doing what he’s told and just trying to help the club…..Seems to have helped M boy.
Complain about the wild pitch, error throw by M boy at catcher, Span missing the ball and them Delmon being Delmon in left field. Buscher isn’t the only with with troubles in the field…..
“Ironically Dennys Reyes has said he is really impressed by how well Gardy and the twins handle the pen.”
That comment means each pitcher knows exactly when he will pitch, which is the problem.
When a pitcher like Mijare is razor-sharp, another pitcher replaces him anyway, BECAUSE THAT’S HIS @#$%@#$% role!
Better yet…..How about 13 HRs given up in 4 games……13 homers. Yet no one is talking about that.
5-Sunday
2-Monday a good day
4-Tuesday
2-Wednesday Thus far
Yet folks want to talk about one wild throw to third. Yeah, M boy probably had it, so why isn’t he at 1st tonight?
I can’t wait for hockey season since baseball season seems to be over…
I think instead of having Guerrier pitch anymore, we should just trade outs for runs, Gardy can ask the ump if we can give the other team a run per out, it would honestly be less embarrassing than watching Guerrier give up more runs
Sarah,
I made a point wondering how many HRs the White Sox would hit against the Twins next week.
Gophers hockey or Wild? The Wild are basically the Twins on ice.
sane,
I think that actually came in 2006 when the pen was a machine and everyone was throwing it well. If I recall it actually had more to do with pitchers getting up to warm up and going into the ball game right after. Rather than being held out and having to warm up multiple times or not even getting in.
That isn’t the case this year with everyone sucking. The pen is an absolute mess this year and it seems everyone has to warm up.
pretty good AB Casilla.
why hockey season? the wild are going to lose gaborik and they made terrible offseason moves…
I am pumped for the WNBA playoffs so I can see a bunch of tall mangirls work on layups…
Again, we have had a lot of great AB’s tonight. Casilla with another.
time for mauer to make up for the throw. get a damn hit and keep the inning alive
hi drew
It would have been nice if Casilla had produced an out so that M&M would be up in the ninth with zero outs. Hope they score this inning, because it might be our last shot…
If we get rid of the whole team, I want to pitch next season. I have a great eephus pitch and a knuckle slurvinker. I also can hit, so no DH needed. I can pitch everyday. Nine innings.
Lets face it. All Minnesota teams suck and always will suck. It’s kind of our tradition.
You are right Buckwheat. Until they trade Gabby they have a lot of the same problems. Hmmmm. Could be a long, cold winter.
Joe VAvra is wondering where the calls for dick anderson’s head are?
mauer trying to tie it… but he only has warning track power
Who do you think is going to win the EPL this season?
getting morneau up this inning is vital
Is anyone a big stats person? could you find out what the most blown leads or ties that a bullpen has given up from the 7th inning on in a season…I know we have to be first all time this year, but I’m just curious on numbers
Please Morneau, Please hit it out
Arsenal
lets see what mor-no is made of here
I throw a nice screw ball…
Well…Morneau haters….here we go….
Morneau will K
arsenal has no chance
but maybe liverfool?
Mauer with another great AB, come on Morne!!!!
Morneau needs a 3-spot here
Probably the last chance they have to score. Hit it out!
Strikeout Morneau..you blow
anyone remember the sunday afternoon game….
morneau v. perez. double to left-center to win the game.
hopefully he hits a home run so we can blow another lead, it’s inevitable
Johnny,
The pen was pretty good early in the year so that might hurt the chances at all time records! Maybe the worst ever over the course of 2 months though.
you all know nothing about soccer… i will GERRARD you from 35 out anytime i want to
Arsenal??? Soccer = American football…
Booooring!
Opening up the strike zone. Did he honestly think he was going to get a pitch to hit?
He just got one and missed it, come on
“Strikeout Morneau..you blow”
wtf?!?!?
nice smiley face AARON 
at least the white sox lost, i guess that’s something. the baseball gods are giving us every opportunity but we’re letting it pass through our fingers.
Gardy better PH for Morneau here since there’s a lefty on the mound.
ughh
damn
twins blow another 1
Nice call on Arsenal… One time I met Walcott and he took my @$$ virginity
There when the only chance the twins had to score. Losing four games in a row to bad teams is not what I would call a push to the postseason…
“I throw a nice screw ball…”
Okay, you can be the closer.
Mac and Bethel 0-0 and likely headed to OT, wowzers
stfu anthony lapants
Been tryin out the knuckler too…
who the F is talking about MIAC soccer, anybody who played MIAC soccer is terrible
Thanks for the clutch hit MVP
Why is LaPanta smiling?
We stink this year
Twins will barely finish .500 this year…white sox win division by a 5 or 6 games
Cesc took mine
When is Punto up?
someone has to get on for kubel in the 9th
(assuming we make it to the 9th within reach)
AaronK,
I agree.
I just wish when Mijares and Breslow (OR ANYONE) are lights out, THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, and not be pulled, just because its someone else’s role to pitch at that time.
Nice, Cesc is a cutie.
That is a BIG assumption…
The way the Twins and sox are playing the division winner is probably looking for 86-87 wins…they’re both just terrible rightnow.
It’s almost comical that Dick and Bert keep wondering why Buscher was taken out, and have said numerous times to the viewers they will try to get an update as to his condition. Haven’t they been watching the entire season??? Gardy was chomping at the bit to get Punto in there. In a tie game, he put Punto in. Now they just showed Buscher on the bench. Healthy. And Dick says “its good to see Buscher is all right”. I can’t tell if the end of the season is a tragedy or a comedy now. It’s all just blurring together.
I’m not watching the game, has Mauer gotten his 2 ground outs to 2nd base yet this game?
Party is Over. Tun out the lights The entertainment value ran out a long time ago for baseball. Go out and enjoy life in this great weather. Fall starts in the few days. Great golfing weather and don’t forget to watch the Ryder Cup this weekend.
AaronK, I’ll take the numbers on a 2 month period, it has to a ridiculous number! Anyone know?
Buscher was taken out of the game due to a jammed thumb.
One would think that Gardy would learn from his mijares mistake. Yet he pulls a similar move the next inning…
Golf sucks without Tiger.
Per Gordo and Danny, Buscher is day-to-day with a jammed thumb.
Twins finish 85-77 this year and stay in obscurity for the next millenia. Except for the 2014 All-Star game and that is only for the “new” Lehman Brothers Field …. oops, Target Field.
I think managers need to start being tested for drugs….Gardy, anything you would like to tell us?
Does anyone wanna go grab a drink at the Brass Rail with Garf and call it a night?
Yes…Bobby “I look like an Elf” Korecky
Except it is the Ryder Cup which is much bigger than Tiger.
Tiger sucks without golf!
Anyone, has Mauer grounded out to 2nd base twice yet tonight? he has like a 2 year string of games going that he hasn’t grounded out to 2nd base 2 times…sure seems like it anyway
“One would think that Gardy would learn from his mijares mistake”
If Gardy learned from his mistakes, no manager in MLB would be as smart as Gardy.
Take him out, he his arm is tired after 3 pitches!
Bring in Jose Canseco to toss.
Both Gardy and Childress get soooo flippin’ caught up in their strategizing (which doesn’t work) that not only do they lose games, but they make them soooo boring to watch, my goodness, nothing worst that watching 20 Twins relievers try to pitch one inning
This season is not over. (heck, this game is not over)
but Gardy should be over if we want to see another world series in the Twin Cities some time soon
Gardy needs a switch-pitcher, so we can be spared all this silliness.
Could have traded Johan for one…
The only thing MN teams get in return in trades when we give up superstars is a big mess of gradeschoolers
Thyrlos, this game was over before it started. We all knew what was going to happen.
The bullpen throws more pitches warming up then they do in the game.
“nothing worst that watching 20 Twins relievers try to pitch one inning”
Worse is watching Guerrier (or Crain)left out there to get the sh-t kicked out of him.
good managing by gardy that inning!!!
Mauer should have a jumbo glove on with Reyes on the mound. A knuckle ball is tame compared to Denny’s WP…
For once, Gardy made the right moves.
Eventually something works.
I hate,
“this game was over before it started. We all knew what was going to happen.”
Then how stupid are you to have spent your evening watching it?
I would rather watch Guerrier and Crain get lit up then watch Gardy try to strategize by using 3 pitchers in an inning….either way they are going to lose so I’ll take the route that is funnier to watch and takes less time
Jammed thumb. Riiiiight. But doesn’t Ruiz play first? Not much sense to bring in Punto for an injury to a first basemen. Harris has no experience at first. But whatever. I’m slightly retarded. What do I know.
and mijares is going to take the loss. how fair is that.
The loser of the game will be Jose Mijares……haha….that’s funny.
Are you guys serious about Gardy’s managerial style when it comes to the Bullpen. Yes, Guerrier is fried and perhaps he should lean on Nathan more -but even he has failed him several times in the last month. But what are his other choices.
How would you run this Bullpen different? Fact is, it hasn’t performed at an even average level in over a month.
I would rather have a mop with a glove lying next to the base than have ruiz on first.
Ruiz doesn’t play first base - or anywhere else.
When his at bat is over, he goes back to the dugout and waits for his next one.
I would just stop the game after 6 innings, less embarrassing for all involved, thats how I’d handle the bullpen
PUNTO!!!
“How would you run this Bullpen different?”
To repeat myself:
“I just wish when Mijares and Breslow (OR ANYONE) are lights out, THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, and not be pulled, just because its someone else’s role to pitch at that time.”
how many LOB tonight, has to be a pretty big number
Matt Guerrier needs to be FIRED!!!
“I would just stop the game after 6 innings, less embarrassing for all involved, thats how I’d handle the bullpen”
Johnny, good answer.
Maybe we will get lucky and the team plane with crash on the way to Tampa. It would be ironic because it would epitomize the way the team has played.
Looks like Gardy got his hand burnt on the stove again. Gardy truly is an IDIOT.
What an AB by Punto.
Now is the time for Kubel to smash a ball 500 feet.
How can they expect to win without Punto starting?
great AB by Punto. Let’s hope Kubel comes through. Kubel gets a shot against RHP, exactly what we would have hoped for. Come on Jason.
I hate “I hate” because he is just plain stupid to make that “Maybe we will get lucky and the team plane with crash on the way to Tampa” statement.
My Call: Warning Track Fly ball
even if he does it will take a miracle to get through the 9th
what if it goes extra innings, who is left to pitch?
billy mcbutterpants needs to reconfigure this bullpen and matt guerrier needs to be the first pitcher kindly shown the door. i don’t care how tired he is, it’s been a complete meltdown.
gardenhire is good manager he just didnt have anything in the pen. you need the horses to make a run, and the rookie GM failed this team.
I sure wouldn’t shed a tear Jon
At least the sox lost LOL!!!
Should have stuck with Tolbert.
2 and 1/2 games back. 10 games left, including 7 against 2 division leaders. Not good.
I said 2 months ago Guerrier was Juan Rincon done. Why does doofus Gardenhire still pitch the talentless bum? Guerrier needs to go!!!!!
This game is proof that over-managing loses games. The twins are most likely going to get murdered in tampa. I just hope it is not as bad as the Toronto fiasco. Normally I would say a split would be nice, but the Twins MUST win three out of four.
13 lob, in a pennant race, these guys are pathetic
Maybe we can go to Tampa and play spoilers.
Red Sox would sure appreciate that.
The season could be over by the time they are back to the dome if they continue to play this way.
I hate the sox even more,
“I sure wouldn’t shed a tear Jon”
On the other hand, I’d buy tickets to your funeral, if I it weren’t a sellout.
Mudcat, this Twins team couldn’t beat the Rays of years past let alone this years Rays team
they better bring their bats to tampa because they are gonna need a lot of runs
if i hear gardy talk about how these guys are really playing hard I will puke! It is about time to push these guys. It may be too late if you wait four days.
Guerrier and Kubel are both arbitration eligible at the end of the season.
Non-tender them both?
Give them the Ford-Tyner treatment?
Craig says wave bye-bye to both.
at least Gus Ferrot is starting this weekend, hahahaha, MN sports are terrible, hahahaha
If we play well in Tampa, maybe we would have a shot in the Playoffs. If we lay an egg, well at least we would be spared the early playoff exit.
Man, the Twins just seem exhausted.
i am afraid the only spoiler the twins will play in tampa is spoiling their own hopes of a title.
If the twins don’t keep Kubel, they should sign Bonds? Why not? He would be a good 2-3 hitter in the offense…
hopes of a title???? this isn’t the little league world series, they actually need to play all 9 innings in the playoffs and world series, no one in here, NO ONE thought they would win tonight, or last night, or the night before, they are done, sorry
RJ
Ruiz will NEVER play 1st base in the MLB. NEVER!!
ECT, i agree they look like a team that is completely worn outm not a team energized by a surprising playoff run
Craig, you’re right.
Buscher has a jammed thumb.
Does anyone know the status of Buscher?
This play epitomizes how stupid this team has played this year. Two outs and two strikes on the hitter and Crain decides to try and pick off Kelly Shoppach? Does he really think a slow footed catcher is running in that situation? It wasn’t even a full count! So Crain makes a bad throw and Buscher injures his thumb trying to catch the ball. We needed this game so bad after the Sox lost. As Howard said earlier this week, we’re running out of tomorrow’s!
bombat, I hope not…but you may be right. They’re working very hard to make that final home stand mean nothing. I haven’t jumped off the bandwagon once this season (not even after that last road trip,) but 5-10 in the month of Sep, in the heat of a pennant race, with the division leader doing its best to give us the division away is not making a believer out of me.
Mudcat,
We can always dream…
hey at least we get to look forward to the vikings, wolves, and wild all losing on the same day a couple times this fall and winter
On work release programs, the offender can’t leave the state, so Bonds may not work out.
Twins like do like washed up veterans though…
Gladden is not giving this team any pity due to their last two (this one included) road trips. The gist is when you are playing inferior teams and are in a pennant race, you must beat those teams, regardless of the venue. Those teams were Seattle, Oakland, Detroit, Baltimore and Cleveland. Some times the truth is painful.
i will hold out hope until the math says it is not possible.
the white sox have left the door open long enough and we just can’t break through. Very frustrating!
Jacque Jones, Craig Monroe and Kenny Lofton are all looking for work. None of those guys are going to prison like Barry.
Twins do like washed up veterans, not like do like
maybe a chupacabra will run out onto the field next game and rip someones arms off, that would be entertaining, might help our relievers pitch better
“maybe a chupacabra will run out onto the field next game and rip someones arms off”
Has this been happening a lot lately?
I would prefer to see a yeti charge the mound…
Winning the division sure looks good on paper, but they haven’t done anything when they’ve won it in the past. I would rather compete through second half and lose this year, and find out what we need to fix for next year (& 2010) in order to push past that first round exit…which is looming this year even if they pull a miracle finish and make the post-season.
Also, if the front office has this low-salary, young* group to work with, they have no room for excuses in the immediate future. We’ve got glaring needs,the $$$ to spend, a ton of prospects, and the offseason to work with. If nothing major gets done (i.e. relief/bp help, 3b, ss, and/or dh) the front office has no one to blame but themselves when 2012 comes around and they have trouble filling Target Field.
*young is not an excuse, they’re getting paid well for what they do (or don’t do).
I would prefer winning the division and learning what needs to be fixed. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.
I have absolutely had it with Gardy and his stupid, moronic, idiotic, over-thinking (don’t do it Gardy, you don’t have much upstairs!) mismanagement of this team and his absolutely inane bullpen decisions. I was screaming at the tv when he took Mijares out. Lefty righty Gardy idiot, lefty righty?!? GD freakin idiot!!!!!
Get out of here and take your ‘lil buddy with you. We have won several games in spite of your idiotic decisions this year, but your mismanagement is running this team right out of the pennant. Freakin idiot.
Yeah, I am p.o’d I have it with this loser.
People get mad at Justin when he doesn’t get the hit, but where would this team be without him this year? Call out some of those other players that can’t seem to come through when it’s needed. Justin is great offense and defense, without him they would be just like Kansas City! Stop bashing Justin, he’s not the one pitching and blowing these games…
Once you get to the playoffs, any team can win. The Twins still have a chance.
“Yeah, I am p.o’d I have it with this loser.”
Kay,
Did we once date? I think you said the same thing about me.
gatty,
Can’t argue with that…just hate being disappointed/disgusted with blow-outs in the ALDS.
Craig,
I haven’t given up yet, but typically, the team who gets hot going into the playoffs stays hot once they’re there. Expecting this team to win there, despite what they’re showing us on the road these last 3 weeks doesn’t bode well.
One can hope at least…
Does anyone know how many relief pitchers Gardy used in the last three games? How many total changes did he make?
It wasn’t me N&I Craig, but there’s probably more than one who might trigger such a memory for you.
Nighty night. Sweet dreams of 2009. Please BS, bring me a LNP free team.
Kay,
There have been so many, I just thought maybe……….
I count a total of 20 pitchers (most used multiple times) since Slowey’s start Monday….yikes! Don’t let that number get out, Tampa will be licking their chops…uhm, more.
Can,
Does that include starters or just guys brought in for relief?
5 on Monday,
8 last night,
and….drumroll please,
7 tonight.
I think the bullpen record (as posted by Joe) is 3-14 since Aug 14.
Including starters.
Ridiculous. Gardy is out of control. I love the guy, but 20 pitchers for 3 games?
I hate to question Gardy’s use of the various relievers since at it’s heart, baseball is a numbers game and that seems to be the basis for most of the moves…righty v. lefty, history v. certain batters, etc. But, it gets pretty depressing when no one from the bullpen inspires any confidence and I find myself wishing he’d just leave a guy in for more than one out. Korecky “did his job” getting that out. I know it didn’t matter in the end since we couldn’t push another one (or three) across, but why not let him finish and save Big Sweat? I know it played no part in the final outcome, but it sure gets annoying for the fans.
In any case, you guys (sane, BC, thyrlos, seth, etc.) have been giving this team various useful opinions and options since April and they haven’t listened, or acted on them in a timely manner (see Monroe, Livan, Lamb, Franchise) to get it done thus far…or maybe they don’t read these posts as often as I do?
I didn’t know that the Twins where going to be on ESPN on Friday. All I ask is not to be embarrassed in front of a national audience…
were not where, though it should probably be are.
Slooow down…
Can,
Thanks for your opinion of our opinions.
I can pretty much assure you that no one in the Twins hierarchy reads any of this.
Its easier for them to make decisions when “never is heard a discouraging word”.
Closed-circle thinking and inbreeding generally produce the same results.
Mr.sane, Amen!! If, however, the 2008 Twins win four more games (very plausible scenario), they will have surpassed the ‘87 team’s regular season record. I’m afraid that we die-hards will be sated with that stat all winter in lieu of any meaningful transactions by the FO regarding both players and coaches. Some times it’s tough to be a Twins’ fan.
time is running out.
Punto with a higher BA than Young.
M&M need a day off.
I just wish they would win this year becasue there is no guarentee for next season no matter what moves they make or who they trade for, reference the 2008 season of Cleveland and Detroit.
Sometimes when the time is right the time is right, the stars are alighned just so, and you have to go for it then. FO blew this season IMHO
Statistics and past performance will get you only so far, sometimes you just have to go with your gut. I think Gardy has done this in the past and it has worked out, but for some reason, he has quit trusting his own instincts.
I think everyone is gone so no one will probably read this but I feel better for having written it. It’s my birthday today and I was hoping for a win. Go Twins Go Thanks for a great season.
PS do the Twins get any credit for not letting Lee get another win even though we lost?
