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Wonder What Will Happen Today?

Posted on May 29th, 2007 – 4:15 PM
By La Velle

Just talked to Ramon Ortiz, and he’s taking his demotion to the bullpen in stride. He’s willing to help the team out in any way and thinks he may be able to get back whatever he lost while working out of the pen.

He has a little bit of experience as a reliever, going 1-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 20 appearances.

After Monday’s game, WGN in Chicago showed a highlight reel of Torii Hunter’s catches through the years against the White Sox. It’s obvious that the feeling there is that Torii has been a pain in their side. It could also serve as a recruiting video, because I wouldn’t be shocked to see the White Sox in line with other teams to bid on Hunter if he hits free agency.

Lineups

White Sox (24-22): 1. Erstad, CF. 2. Cintron, 2B. 3. Thome, DH. 4. Dye, RF. 4. Konerko, 1B. 5. Pierzynski, C. 6. Crede, 3B. 7. Mackowiak, LF. 8. Uribe, SS. Pitching: John Danks.

Twins (25-25): 1. Castillo, 2B. 2. Punto, 3B. 3. Cuddyer, RF. 4. Morneau, 1B. 5. Hunter, CF. 6. Redmond, C. 7. Cirillo, DH. 8. Kubel, LF. 9. Bartlett, SS. Pitching: Bonser.

Other than that, it looks like a normal day after a controversial game….

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105 Responses to "Wonder What Will Happen Today?"

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:14 pm

Kubel in LF?? vs a LEFTY???

Are the locusts swarming?

What, no LEWWW ???

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:20 pm

Kubel in LF?? vs a LEFTY///

Why???

Because LEWWWW ain’t the answer.pretty simple really.

JimCrikket says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

“if” Hunter hits free agency? I’m afraid it’s more of a matter of “when”.

Anyone interested in a pool on which AB and which pitch to AJ dusts/plunks AJ?

I’ll take 2nd pitch in his 3rd AB.

Josh says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

Jim,

I’ll go with 1st or 2nd pitch in his first AB — better to get him early when it’s blatantly obvious, get the required warning, and not worry about retaliation.

Of course, it all depends on the game situation. We’re not plunking AJ with guys on 1 and 2, etc.

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:28 pm

As long as he gets smoked I don’t care when or where!But If he leaves town without at least getting a serious dusting there is something wrong.

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:29 pm

Doug M,

I just cannot believe, despite Ford’s opps and poor at bats, that Gardy is going to leave Kubel in the lineup vs a lefty. That’s not like Gardy. I watched Ford Saturday night. Multiple bad at bats, and Kubel wasn’t much better.

Let’s hope Kubel takes advantage of the opportunity.

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 5:39 pm

There has been all of this talk that Torii is leaving. I remember all the banter about Puckett leaving a couple times. But Pohlad stepped up to sign an important player. The Twins should be able to part with some payroll after the year, or during–Castillo, Silva as a couple examples. The team’s payroll is sure to increase. We’ll need to pay Mourneau and Santana, and I think they must be Ryan’s priorities, but I wouldn’t write off Hunter in a Twins uniform in the future.

As for Kubel, he keeps getting opportunities. One of these days he needs to go 4-5 with a HR and 3 RBI.

What are the odds on Bonser beaning AJ?

JimCrikket says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Right, wrong or otherwise, if I’m Boof, I nail AJ the first time the game situation allows it… and if AJ reacts in ANY way even hinting at a threat, I throw my glove on the ground and motion him to come and get me.

I can’t think of anything that would boost the level of respect he’d get in the clubhouse more than taking care of business without anyone even hinting that he “had” to and regardless of any so-called “apologies”.

Jake says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:14 pm

The twins need Kubel to play left field he is a better option than Ford/Tyner. Let Kubel play for an extended period and maybe he runs with it. Then DH can become Garrett Jones with Ford hanging on as the 4th outfielder. It is obvious that Ford is not the player he was in 2005 but is the player he was last year. Glad to see Ortiz to bullpen as long man. Lets hope Slowey runs with his opportunity and gives as strong rotation. Then TR needs to find one bat either at DH or 3B with Kubel taking over leftfield.

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:15 pm

Funky:

Kubel is hitting .267 vs. leftys,.232 vs. righties.Go figure!The point is the Twins don’t and haven’t for about two years,considered Ford to be the long term solution.I think they still Kubel as a possibiltity.Only time and ABs over a prolonged period will tell.

JimCrikket says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:18 pm

On a totally unrelated subject… I just turned on the Mets/Giants game on ESPN and they’re talking about Bonds being the last Giant to show up at the ballpark and how after the long flight he needed to take the night off to “recharge his battery”. This is like the second or third time I’ve noticed Barry sitting out a nationally televised game. Am I the only one suspecting that this is not a coincidence but rather Barry essentially flipping off ESPN and MLB by not allowing them to “cash in” on his participation in a game?

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:22 pm

As frustrating as it’s been to watch Kubel not have great success during the chances he’s been given, I’d much rather see Gardy give Kubel as many ABs as possible. I agree with Doug, they’ve known Ford isn’t the answer for awhile, despite the idiotic chants in the ‘Dome for ‘Leewwwwww.’

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:37 pm

JimCrikket:I would say you could be right.Bonds and AJ deserved each other the year they spent together.Two total jerks.I am a long time Giants fan, but cannot cheer for them in good faith until Barry retires.

Kevin from Minneapolis says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:38 pm

Kubel looks like a lifeless rock. How many times this season has he been called out on strikes and then walked back to the dugout with no reaction?

Throw a bat! Get ejected! Kick your helmet! Do something - anything - to show you have a pulse!

I’m of the mind that they have to play Tyner. If the choice is between three guys of equal fielding capability who will hit .230 with no power, at least take the guy who can run fast.

btw - is this the same doug monson who was the editor at the MSU Reporter?

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:44 pm

Kevin, your the second person here to ask me that.Yes, MSU was a long time ago.My bad typing skills continue to follow me!

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:56 pm

I know Lewww isn’t the long term option. I just don’t understand why he’s even given many chances. He should be gone in 2008 to save the team some money.

Yet you go to the games and he’s a “fan fave”…only because you can Lewwwwww as well as boooo??

romer says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:59 pm

Bonds is too old to play everyday. His back is hurtin’ him.

Never liked Bonds personally. But I think his excuse tonight is legit.

Back to AJ…..It’s not about revenge aimed at AJ or the Sox; it’s about letting the rest of the League know the Twins are big-leaguers and not timid.

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 6:59 pm

Funkytown…Twins fans also do the wave at every opportunity.

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:19 pm

No kidding PJS..I continue to be amazed that occurs as well.

They may be doing it soon. Boof is off to a slow start.

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:24 pm

Twins fans also can’t get enough of Bert Blyleven circling them. Kinda glad I moved out of Minny.

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:24 pm

Could have been worse. Only one run with the bases loaded and one out.
Couldn’t hit AJ with the bases loaded. Maybe next time.

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:25 pm

PJS I took my kids to the game Saturday. Didn’t see nearly as many signs as other games. We made a sign but had no Circle me Bert reference. Folks around us noticed the lack of Circle me in it.

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:30 pm

Nice, FTown. I live out east. Everyime teh Twins come to Baltimore, my girlfriend begs and pleads to bring a Circle Me sign. I refuse and get her drunk instead.

On another note, for everyone watching this Twins telecast tonight…anyone else tired of listening to Nick Punto yap on open mic?

Doug Munson says:

May 29th, 2007 at 7:41 pm

PJS,you can count me in on the sick of Punto Mic’d bit.That guy loves the camera.

Could we get out of the first with out giving up a run once in awhile?You’d think Bradke was back with us or something!

romer says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:09 pm

After yesterday and so far tonight, Kubel isn’t an issue any more. He still, in the Twins’ mind, has a year to develop.

Ford is through though. And if White doesn’t come back strong, we still need a DH.

And could Ortiz be a dandy answer to the loss of Crain?

Dustin says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:15 pm

KUBEL!!!!! Hopefully THAT will keep him in the lineup everyday. His coming out party is beginning.

And MVP is just en fuego right now. Looks like a repeat season (only better) for him.

La Velle says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:19 pm

Jeff Manship apparently has a pulled groin muscle and will miss a few days at Class A Beloit….

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:34 pm

Manship down!!!!!!!!!! What will Joe C. write about on his blog now?

Funkytown says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:53 pm

Wow…Morneau is smacking the ball.

pp says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:57 pm

Kubeleqe

SethSpeaks says:

May 29th, 2007 at 8:58 pm

Let’s see… last time Kubel homered, he played the next game, then sat on the bench without sniffing an at bat for three games.

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:08 pm

Great play by Bartlett.

wheels says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:09 pm

This is how you plunk a guy without even so much as brushing him off the plate. By hitting two doubles and a home run.

Well, that and robbing him of an RBI on a fantastic play in short center.

Dustin says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:14 pm

Thanks for pissing MVP off, AJ!!!! We appreciate it!

Oh, poor witto AJ. Our starting C is only hitting about, oh, one HUNDRED points better than him now!!!

PJS says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:15 pm

Couldn’t agree more with Wheels.

Now, only if I could listen to WGN’s annoucners so I wouldn’t have to hear Dick and Bert talk about “Tuseday’s With Mornie.” OMG, I’m still gagging.

CharlieMurphy says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:29 pm

Now that is a shame that Boof couldn’t get out of the inning. He pitched very well tonight and is solidifying himself as our number 2 starter.

La Velle says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:38 pm

Slowey has been called up. Just posted it…

Roy says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:39 pm

Surely Boof has now made the transition from “if he screws up, we’ll dump him” to “he’s one of our starters, and if he can improve his control he could be a star.” We have enough rotation spots to worry about. I think that having a bit of security will only boost his confidence.

The 6 K’s should put him back in the top 5 in the league; the 3 walks may do the same, but the homers are under control.

Roy says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:41 pm

Woo Hoo for Slowey! I feel bad for Garza, but this looks like a pretty good rotation for now.

CharlieMurphy says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:45 pm

La Velle who got sent down to bring up Slowey

pp says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

…I’m in Florida…what happened with the hit batter? Is Red-dog ok? Benches cleared?

Erik says:

May 29th, 2007 at 9:50 pm