Friday lineups: Twins/White Sox
Posted on July 10th, 2009 – 4:04 PMBy Joe Christensen
Glen Perkins feels much better, and the Twins will have him start Saturday’s game against the White Sox.
Tonight’s it’s a rematch of Game 163 from last season, Nick Blackburn vs. John Danks.
Joe Mauer is going to be in Monday’s Home Run Derby. Heading down for his press conference now.
Don’t miss today’s earlier post: Should the Twins trade for Freddy Sanchez?
You can follow us now on Twitter (@JoeCStarTribune, @LaVelleNeal).
Update: HR Derby officials want both Mauer and Morneau to compete. Morneau agrees it would be cool but said he’s already decided against it.
Update: Mauer on why he’ll be in the Derby: “I just think it’s a great event. Home Run Derby — I always told my buddies when we were younger, we always played it in the back yard and stuff like that. I always told them, if I ever had the opportunity to do it, I would jump at it, and it happened this year.”
Gardy said, “[Mauer] told me it’s a single-up-the-middle contest, and that’s why he joined. … I don’t hold these guys back. I know Joe’s got a great swing, and he’s going to do what he needs to do. I don’t think it’ll affect him. He’ll go out there and probably put a few in the seats, and I think the greatest thing about it is his high school coach [Jim O’Neill] is going to throw to him. That’s probably about as neat as it gets.”
WHITE SOX (44-41 )
1. Scott Podsednik, CF
2. Alexei Ramirez, SS
3. Jermaine Dye, RF
4. Jim Thome, DH
5. Paul Konerko, 1B
6. A.J. Pierzynski, C
7. Chris Getz, 2B
8. Gordon Beckham, 3B
9. DeWayne Wise, LF
Starting pitcher: LH John Danks (7-6, 3.76)
TWINS (43-43)
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, DH
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Joe Crede, 3B
8. Delmon Young, LF
9. Nick Punto, 2B
Starting pitcher: RH Nick Blackburn (7-4, 2.94)
Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m. TV: FSN
101 Responses to "Friday lineups: Twins/White Sox"
It’s time for our boys to take all that anger from the last 3 games and spew it out on the hated South-siders. Go get ‘em, boys!
Morneau and Kubel in the line-up back to back against a lefty? I don’t like that. Frankly Kubel shouldn’t be in there at all. Either DH Young and let Gomez play or give Morales the DH spot.
I just hope that Harris snaps out of his slump. Then this lineup looks pretty good.
Not sure what Kubel’s numbers against lefties is (yes, I’m being lazy), but I don’t have a problem with him batting behind Morneau.
Let’s turn this thing around and take those Southsiders down!!
Harris is now batting sub-Delmon.
Kubel is batting .176 on lefties this year
I have a feeling Cuddy will soon be batting sub-Delmon as well.
Kubel is 4 for 10 w/ 1 2B and HR against Danks.
Harris is not a 2 spot hitter. His career numbers there v. 6,7,8 are quite a bit different than what he puts up in the second spot.
That’s the problem with not having Lew Ford around anymore. He can’t go on the computer between Dungeons and Dragons sessions and show Gardy about these newfangled numbers things.
Take Harris out of there and slide everyone up. Put Harris in 7 or 8 and you have a pretty good lineup.
I think Jason Monroe and Jason Mower should accept the Home Run Derby Invites so we could hear some more M&M references. I can’t get enough of them.
Kubel is hitting .176 against left handers. Gutsy to have a player like that bat fifth against a lefty. Must be a hunch.
“Kubel is hitting .176 against left handers. Gutsy to have a player like that bat fifth against a lefty. Must be a hunch.”
just look three posts above yours (Kubel is 4 for 10 w/ 1 2B and HR against Danks).
“Gutsy to have a player like that bat fifth against a lefty.”
“Gutsy” was not the word that came to mind.
“Gutsy” was not the word that came to mind.
Clubhouse PoD leader.
mickey,
The 10 AB sample against Danks or the career BA against left-handers?
Which is the better indicator?
I am betting on the career BA vs LHP.
But I am not a successful gambler.
“Harris is now batting sub-Delmon.”
And Crede is batting sub-Harris.
And Redmond is batting sub-Crede.
And Gomez is batting sub-Redmond.
And Punto is batting sub-Gomez.
And Buscher is batting sub-Punto.
And Tolbert is batting sub-Buscher.
And against left handers, Kubel is batting sub-Tolbert.
FYI, the .176 vs. LHP is This year. His career BA vs. LHP is .223.
Could be the night Kubel breaks out against left handers. A turning point in his career.
Sorry sane, but I’ve awarded the PoD to the following post from the Sanchez blog:
edaw says:
July 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
how about Bill Smith and punto for Sanchez?
Winner.
Chief,
With all due respect I ask that you reconsider POD
“Harris is now batting sub-Delmon.”
And Crede is batting sub-Harris.
And Redmond is batting sub-Crede.
And Gomez is batting sub-Redmond.
And Punto is batting sub-Gomez.
And Buscher is batting sub-Punto.
And Tolbert is batting sub-Buscher.
And against left handers, Kubel is batting sub-Tolbert.
Can’t do it Paul. Arbiter’s decision is final.
Rule 13c, subsection IV.
Unless I later change my mind.
Rule 13c, subsection IV, sub-subsection (1).
Well, I guess a rule’s a rule.
“Sorry sane, but I’ve awarded the PoD to the following post from the Sanchez blog”
Crap!
I will have to rescind my acceptance speech in which I thanked my parents, teachers, coaches and therapists.
Walter: not that it matters, but for the record,
Delmon (2009): .270/.296/.349
Harris (2009): .268/.311/.368
Nothing to write home about in either case, but Delmon’s outhitting Harris only if you use batting average in isolation.
Which we all know is a caca way to evaluate hitters.
BTW, IMO Delmon’s numbers will be better than Harris’ across the board by the end of the year.
Chief:
Unless I later change my mind.
Rule 13c, subsection IV, sub-subsection (1).
Bikini pics are on the way. Hopefully you will reconsider prior to their arrival.
sane,
i guess i would say that certain players can hit certain pitchers in defiance of career numbers.
Bikini pics are on the way. Hopefully you will reconsider prior to their arrival.
Much appreciated…depending, of course, on who is featured in the pics.
If the pics have YOU as the subject, I suggest you add a stack of benjamins.
However, I cannot reconsider prior to the arrival of the pics, in either case.
I have my standards.
something tells me the bottom of the order won’t be a typical sit-’n-spin tonite; maybe there’ll even be a runner or two for ‘ol Nicky P. to bunt along.
i wish gomez would at least play against the left handers.. how the hell is he supposed to be of any value or improve if hes not getting any at bats…kubel isnt setting the world on fire on lefties either so why not?? not sure whats ahead for these guys but unless bill s gets some help for morny and mauer etc he might as well look at trading them away also…at least give them a chance to win with someone else….sick thing to say, but the last thing i want is to have a couple of superstars and surround them with less than major league level players so they dont have any chance of post season….time to get rid of the dead weight on this team and make a few deals and get on with this season in a positive way….say gbye to tolbert, buscher, for starters and get a veteran starter to help out and readjust the starting staff and bullpen -grab sanchez if at all possible
interesting rally.
WTF is Kubel doing in the lineup tonight?
That would be why Kubel is in the lineup.
a promising start
keeps DY out of the dp
Should have got more but will take four though.
Kubel was batting .400 off Danks before tonite. Gomez was batting .143.
Not to beat an old, dead, horse… but with the big debate about the guy going so far out of the baseline to take out Punto several games ago, I maintained it wasn’t “dirty”, just against the rules.
AJ’s slide just now was the opposite. It was within the rules, but sliding that late, deliberately trying to injure the fielder, was legal but dirty.
If I’m pitching, AJ gets knocked down his next time up.
After the NY fiasco, I would normally be thrilled with a four run first inning by the Twins. Why, after watching Cuddyer get picked off first and the inability to get Kubel home from third with no and then one out, do I feel concern. Somebody please explain to me again about the Twins doing the little things, ergo, playing the game the right way. I hope I’m wrong but this game is game shows Chicago hitting the ball and the Twins again letting a game get away.
Twins are too stupid to put a team away early. Cuddyer is total idiot for getting picked off first.
Cuddyer getting picked off killed a big inning. No excuse for it.
I’m not normally one for such antics but if feels like it’s time for Gardy to be the jerk manager. This team lack “that” guy as a leader be it Hunter or AJ in the past. Someone to get in someone’s face or call someone out. And I’m talking about picking on a week link like Young or Punto. It’s time to do something about with a “star” or one of “his guys”. Cuddy’s bad AB vs. Yanks and getting picked off tonight are worthy of such a response. Maybe a Morneau for his two base running blunders in the last week plus tonight swinging at the first pitch in the first inning after Danks had walked the first three hitters.
Those are all mental mistakes superstars and leaders can’t keep making and it’s time for Gardy to put on a different hat with this team. He could afford to act as the nice guy and only pick on the weaklings when he had a different team and someone like Hunter or AJ to be the jerk.
This team (for the most part) is playing like a cast of mental midgets and wounded puppies. Time for good swift kick. Either he does or Billy has to make a jolt to the system type move to shake it up. And since the latter scenario is less likely to happen Gardy may be the only hope for saving the season,
A J’s second double finally got Gardenhire, the Corpulent Buddha, off his fat a$$. What a leader!!
its sad to say, but im starting to question the heart of this team….and maybe thats a leadership problem…just seems this team lacks so many things besides a couple of players…i really hope they can get it together soon and also the front office find them some help…..
Give it a rest with that ‘leader’ thing. Leadership will not get the bottom hitters to play better. They are who they are. Hunter and AJ would not make a difference by their leadership imo.
So funny…before the Yankees series everyone was happy…after that series? Doom and gloom.
No law that says you have to stop scoring runs after the 1st tonight Twinks! Just not a good aura around this team right now.
Nora…That is what I have tried to say all season, and all I have been is called nasty names. I agree with you, kiddo.
Gardy has to be the leader. Even when it’s one of his favorites.
Nora,
You need to go back no further that 2006 to recall Gardy calling his team out for “leadership” impacting this team. Or Gardy getting on Morneau that season to turn his year around. It’s not the be all end all but show me a championship team in any sport and it won’t be hard to find who the leader or leaders are.
And how many titles (even division ones) have they won without a Hunter or AJ on the roster? It was pretty easy to identify who those guys were in in ‘87 & ‘91 for the Twins.
Have a nice night!
Wow, Crede has caught Punto’s popup-itis.
Nora and DrDon since when is expecting a team to the little things in the game right, doom and gloom?
It sure would be nice if Crede would get a hit every now and then.
Crede really, and I mean really, needs to stop popping out and fouling out. I mean, but the ball in play in a ground or line drive fashion dude. It’s killing things.
And how bad is Delmon Young? I mean, the guy is just terrible at baseball.
if we only lose by one run tonight we can at least call it a moral victory. we had a bunch of those against the yanks.
jimmy…on behalf of Nora and myself, since when has asking people to slow down on all of the gloom and doom, which is the only time some and/or lots of commentors say anything a bad thing?
Again, expecting a team to play good baseball is not doom and gloom. We had Danks on the ropes. 4 walks 4 runs in. 1st and 3rd. No one out. Let him work his way out of it. Don’t help him by getting picked off. He would probably have walked Cuddyer to second. Instead, he gave up no more runs. That’s all I’m saying. Sorry if I don’t comment on here all the time like some. Is there some club I need to join?
Atta boy Joe! Can we hang on?
Nice “leadership” Joe! 
Don’t you agree Nora!
What was Gardy thinking playin Kubel tonight.
Atta boy Cuddy
Crede, in a word, sucks.
That’s why Go Go needs more PT my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!Gotta love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great “leadership” Go-Go!
Best bunt of Go-Go’s life there
If people don’t like reading the bitchy comments, then go to a “T” ball game, or quite simply, click on the big X located at the upper right hand corner of your screen.
Crede, Young, and Punto are terrible. Tolbert is the worst. If we did not have Mauer we would be the worst team in the AL. Morneau has his on and off days. Cuddyer and Crede blew a huge 1st inning.
All in all a lucky win. If not for four walks to start out the game, it would have been another loss.
Nothing wrong with bitchy comments. I especially liked the ones bitching about Kubel being in the line up.
Most (not all) of the bitching just tends to show the level of baseball IQ of the authors around here.
We need to just drop half of our team back down to the minors and bring up a whole new team.
Kubel was great today. We needed the big guy out there.
Fargo…If people don’t like reading bitchy comments about those who make bitchy comments, go to a “T” ball game, or quite simply, click in the big X located at the upper right hand corner of your screen.
Lucky? Twins still have to earn walks. Guess Yankees were ‘lucky’ yesterday as well against Liriano who was walking alot of players.
Mr. Fargo, With all due respects, saying something non-complimentary is not “bitchy”, but I fully understand what you are saying. And I agree. Kubel was the player of the game and Gary Darling was the principal Decider of the Game. Thanks for the show, Ozzie & AJ! By the way, You Lose!
I wouldn’t bitch if Kubel started every game the rest of the year, he’s becoming a reliable hitter.
Bitching about Crede, Young, Punto and Tolbert really isn’t bitching, it’s just stating what has become the painfully obvious. I don’t think it takes a baseball Einstein to figure that out. Maybe in your world cricket.
Yes lucky. John Danks was not warm to start the game so it was luck
There is a leadership gap. Morneau and Mauer are the natural ones to fill it. They are both quiet guys and they will have to develop into leaders over time (years). Nathan could do more as well. We could use a Shannon Stewart-type of pick-up this year.
DrDon says:
July 10th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Fargo…If people don’t like reading bitchy comments about those who make bitchy comments, go to a “T” ball game, or quite simply, click in the big X located at the upper right hand corner of your screen.
How original Donny
WE need to make a trade for Sanchez
Scottie says:
July 10th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Kubel is batting .176 on lefties this year
Not anymore! Great Job today KUBEL!!!
Mauer Power says:
July 10th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
There is a leadership gap. Morneau and Mauer are the natural ones to fill it. They are both quiet guys and they will have to develop into leaders over time (years). Nathan could do more as well. We could use a Shannon Stewart-type of pick-up this year.
Shannon Stewart was as quiet as a church mouse. Barry Bonds is available…At least he’d draw walks, and a lot of butts int he seats.
Fargo says:
and a lot of BUTTS int he seats
Now what do you mean by BUTTS in the seats
I mean he’d be the reason attendance would jump 5 to 8 grand a game.
bull, fargo. If we signed Bonds, fans would stay away and leave only cigarette butts in the seats.
Donny, as you know, there is NO SMOKING IN THE METRODOME.
If they signed him, they will come…
BREAKING NEWS*****BREAKING NEWS*****
It was announced that Bill Smith just traded a 2008 hotdog wrapper to dr. donny for one of his hotdog wrappers.
We don’t need him, Fargo! We have the Home Run Derby boys!
This is funny, check it out:
Hey fellow Twins bloggers, Living in the Southwest and being old with no personal/social life on a Friday (sound familiar), I am enjoying the NYY/LAA game. One night after sweeping the Twins, the Unstoppable Yanks have coughed up a 5-1 lead with Joba pitching. I guess Mike Scoscia (sp?) is not quite as impressed as Gardy, but, then again, he could not only play the game but continues to command respect and “play the game the right way”. Yeah, I know, the Twins swept the Angels earlier this year, but let’s not look at the long term past. In the last few years, the Angels are 14-5 against the Evil Empire that Gardy seems to dread so much. Nuff said!
OK yanno all that stuff some of us were saying about how the Twins had more than the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez to offer the Pirates for Freddy? Maybe not.
Jonathan no-hit the Padres tonight.
A little late but………
Nora & Dr. Don - you could not be more wrong about a leader. A leader CAN make bottom half hitters hit better - as well a top of the order hitters. A leader gets people to play a little above normal, gets them to do things they don’t normally do and can get them focus just a little bit more. Leadership is sometimes hard to describe or explain to a person who has not experienced working with a strong leader but let me assure - strongleadership does make a difference.
“sane says:
July 10th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
The 10 AB sample against Danks or the career BA against left-handers?
Which is the better indicator?
I am betting on the career BA vs LHP.
But I am not a successful gambler.”
I was right about ONLY one thing.
That “I am not a successful gambler.”
I’m thinking about setting up a monthly poker game, sane. You’re invited!
Barry Bonds…seriously? The guy’s been out of baseball now for what, 1.5 seasons?
By the time he was in playing shape, would there even be enough of a season left.
And that’s WITHOUT Barry’s Little Helper.
“I am betting on the career BA vs LHP.”
sane,
i was a little surprised at your theory on this … i’ve got to believe you’ve seen guys who are modest hitters against most lefties but can inexplicably hit certain lefties. no?
“i’ve got to believe you’ve seen guys who are modest hitters against most lefties but can inexplicably hit certain lefties. no?”
“Inexplicably” being the key word.
Sometimes the LHP figures out how the other LHP’s get THAT guy out, and he starts to imitate them, succesfully.
And I thought 10 At-bats may have been a statistical anomaly.
How is that for logical explanations leading to the wrong conclusion?
How did Tolbert score on the Gomez bunt last night? Joe C said Tolbert had stolen 2nd and then scored on Gomez’s hit.
Tolbert stole 3rd, not 2nd. Kubel had hit a double, and Tolbert pinch-ran for him
“JimCrikket says:
July 11th, 2009 at 12:07 am
OK yanno all that stuff some of us were saying about how the Twins had more than the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez to offer the Pirates for Freddy? Maybe not.
Jonathan no-hit the Padres tonight.”
I was the one who started the idea on the blog yesterday that we couldn’t top the Giants offer. The moral of the story is that if you fling enough $#!^ against the wall, some is bound to stick!
OBP 2009:
Punto .321
Harris .314
Redmond .298
Crede .293
Young .292
Gomez .281
Tolbert .272
Casilla .242
I didn’t list Jason Kubel’s .260 OBP versus left hand pitchers. Last night was a turning point in his career, and from now on he will destroy them.
also worth noting: buscher obp .344.
