Twins-White Sox: Lineups
Posted on September 24th, 2008 – 3:36 PMBy La Velle
Two homers on Tuesday buys Jason Kubel another day at DH and leaves Michael Cuddyer on the bench.
5:25 Update: Yes, Kubel’s big night on Tuesday factored into Gardy’s decision - but so did the fact that lefties are batting .309 against White Sox lefty Mark Buehrle while righties are batting .267.
Buehrle throws a cut fastball that eats up righties. It can also be effective to lefties when thrown on the inside corner. Missing inside, however, is disaster.
I was on the field chatting with former Twin Corey Koskie before the game when I said, “K-Train, you’d be in the lineup today because lefties are batting .309 against Buehrle.”
Koskie said: “Yeah, because that cutter can slide right over into the sweet spot.”
Michael Cuddyer is itching for action and said moments ago that he’s well enough to run in the outfield. But he’s not totally sharp and Kubel has been playing all season.
The Royals have shut Zack Greinke down for the rest of the season. Kyle Davies, Gil Meche and Brandon Duckworth will face the Twins this weekend at the Dome.
White Sox (86-70)
- DeWayne Wise, LF
- Orlando Cabrera, SS
- Jermaine Dye, RF
- Jim Thome, DH
- Paul Konerko, 1B
- Ken Griffey, Jr.
- Alexei Ramirez, 2B
- A.J., C
- Juan Uribe, 3B
Pitching: Mark Buehrle 14-11, 3.87
Twins (85-72)
- Denard Span, RF
- Alexi Casilla, 2B
- Joe Mauer, C
- Justin Morneau, 1B
- Jason Kubel, DH
- Delmon Young, LF
- Brendan Harris, 3B
- Nick Punto, SS
- Carlos Gomez, CF
Pitching: Nick Blackburn, 10-10, 4.15
535 Responses to "Twins-White Sox: Lineups"
Eh…looks about right.
LNP = MVP
Has anyone heard if the Star Tribune is coming out with another homer hanky for this year? I hope so.
Paul,
There probably will be a 2008 HH if/when the Twins win the division.
or at least if they sweep the White Sox.
Perfect. Win or lose with the players that got you here!
I like the line-up, Harris to have a big night
I like this lineup a lot. Except for the number 8 hitter. But Gardy will never change on that one.
As an admitted Punto basher, he’s having a very solid year at the plate. A .385 avg is good for your #8 hitter. It’s when G-Hire moves him into the 2 hole that sends shivers up my spine.
Punto’s squeeze last night probably got him re-signed for next year. Have they decided when #8 will be added to monument park in the new stadium? Punto is like Sara Palin…proof that almost anyone can be a big leaguer.
Sorry, .385 would be phenomenal. But .285 is still very respectable.
I’m suprised there’s no cuddy but Gardy made the right move last night and why not stay with the hot hand.
“285 is still very respectable”
Agree 100%. The only issue I have with Punto, and it has nothing to do with him personally, is that I think he can be replaced with a much cheaper (and younger) player.
In this pennant race, I’ll take Punto over Tolbert. As much as I hate to say it, Punto is one of the veteran players on the team that needs to lead. I just hope he acts like a leader. Last night, I actually saw glimmers of leadership. But next year I hope he’s long gone, but that’s for another discussion. As long as Punto lays the bunts down and turns the double plays and doesn’t make mistakes, things will hopefully be alright.
“Two homers on Wednesday buys Jason Kubel another day at DH and leaves Michael Cuddyer on the bench.” Yes!
And don’t forget the triple from crazy legs Kubel!
JP says: “I like this lineup a lot. Except for the number 8 hitter. But Gardy will never change on that one.”
Agreed.
Blackburn to pitch good tonight…not out of his head amazing…but good enough for the Twins to put together a Win.
Here we go Twins! Go Twins Go!!!
Anyone else wondering why the Homer Hankies haven’t been broken out yet????
Chad,
In recent years, they have released Homer Hankies until the playoffs have been clinched.
It was only the first couple of years that the Homer Hankies were issued for the pennant drive.
* that’s supposed to be “haven’t released”
Casilla 2B
Tolbert 3B
Mauer C
MVP 1B
Kubel RF
Young LF
Cuddy DH
Punto SS
Gomez CF
Would Gomez have caught the triple to Griffey? Would Span have chased down Young’s bloop double down the line?
I love this old Sox outfield.
as much as i love span man he needs a day off, he is pressing/slumping, plus he isnt the best against lefties.
Adam S: You do not want Young and Kubel in the same defensive outfield. Recipe for disaster.
good point
Thank you, Cuddy, for taking one for the team.
Be ready for the PH. It could save the season you know.
Cuddy with a pinch-hit walk-off homerun tonight off the bench!
Denard Span, CF
Alexi Casilla, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, 3B
Nick Punto, SS
Griffey in CF again tonight is a gift from Ozzie. The gaps just got bigger and Griffey hasn’t contributed power to this lineup at all. Thanks Ozzie!
I struggle with the Kubel thing. As you know, I’ve been as big a supporter of him as anyone over the last four of five years.
But, if you want to go with ‘the guys that have gotten you to this point,’ remember that Kubel didn’t play against lefties most of the year.
I hope he hits another two home runs, but if he strikes out three times in early big situations against Buehrle, we can’t be questioning Gardy for going with him.
Seth, I agree, but good luck not letting people question Gardy….
Maybe I’m dumb, but is Nick Swisher hurt? Can’t he play LF? People thought picking up Griffey was such a big deal for the White Sox, but 1.) he has predictably been non-good offensively or defensively, and 2.) he has replaced Swisher, who although he hasn’t been good this year, has to be better than Griffey, or isn’t Swisher at least better than DeWayne Wise?
“I hope he hits another two home runs, but if he strikes out three times in early big situations against Buehrle, we can’t be questioning Gardy for going with him.”
I promise I won’t question Gardy, on that issue.
Can it get any better than last night? Yes but we’ve got to top this: Pregame Softball HR Championship. Kubel’s Breakout. Squeeze play. 2 Homeruns on 2 consequetive Pitches. Dye hits the roof with a foul. AJ melts down. M & M are terrific with deafening MVP chants from the faithful. Griffey blows a big fielding chance but passes Sosa in HR’s with no true damage. A fan caught a foul ball in front of me. The crowd nearly blew the Dome’s roof off after Delmon’s blast…Gordo, Dazzle and Jack Morris go nuts in the booth…Whew!
Seth,
Generally I agree regarding Kubel against lefties, but LH batters are hitting better against Buerhle than RH batters so I see no problem with Kubel playing tonight.
Does anyone else hold their breath every time a ball is hit to left field? Delmon again performed his famous “crazy eight” route to catch a fly ball last night. How about bench Delmon, stick Kubel in the outfield and put Cuddy at DH?
Punto: .285 Avg. .317 v. lefties.
Saved some runs last night after the youngster Casilla couldn’t get to 2nd base on time. Had a couple nice hits, including an infield RBI bunt single that was merely supposed to be a squeeze play.
So let’s have at it once and for all. What is it exactly, and give numbers and specific plays for examples, that you idiots hate about him? Just let the year 2007 go already you dolts.
“Does anyone else hold their breath every time a ball is hit to left field? Delmon again performed his famous “crazy eight” route to catch a fly ball last night.”
Nope… when’s the last time he dropped one?
“How about bench Delmon, stick Kubel in the outfield and put Cuddy at DH?”
If Delmon makes you not hold your breath, what happens when Kubel is in LF??
Reddog is 14-28 vs. Buehrle, Cuddyer is 21-69.
Delmon and Punto have decent numbers as well.
Look for Reddog or Cuddyer to come in as pinch hitters if the situation presents itself….
Yes, question Gardy. Question him after yesterday when many, many people wanted Kubel and Punto benched. Guess what? If you say bench Punto or whoever everyday, and on the 10th day he has a bad game, that doesn’t make you correct. That means you were right once and Gardy was right 9 times. This is especially for the person yesterday who said this team is where it is at DESPITE Gardy and the other coaches. Who was that, Thrylos?
Gardenhire has gotten us where we are tonight….fighting for a Division Title. I will never disagree with him, he is much better at handling this team than any of us “experts” out here. Gardy for Manager of the Year!!!!WIN TWINS!!!!!!!!
Delmon is not pretty in the field, but gets the job done. He looks good in the box score. Bloop single, line drive single. Same thing.
Perkins is pitching Saturday?!?
Questioning Gardy is one thing. I question why we bat so many lefties in a row. But at the end of the day Gardy is sure better at managing than I am.
Delmon’s outfield play hasn’t been much to celebrate but the guy is just a kid and he can hit. A lot of players improve their defense with a little time.
Macleod’s comments are on the mark, in my opinion. I’m so tired of the Punto bashers. He is a solid ball player, and we’re lucky to have him on our team. He was vital to the win last night. And as for Gardenhire, name another manager who could have taken this group of players, with this young pitching staff, and then guiding them to the brink of a division title. I call it stunning. Manager of the year.
redmond has better numbers against buhrle than any twins and is on the bench.
Macleod,
yes, the team is where it is despite Gardy and the other coaches… if it weren’t for Gardy’s mismanagement of the starting rotation (keeping pitchers too long esp. Perkins), bullpen (putting Juannie and Bassie in critical situation and refusing to bring in Nathan in a tight game), playing favorites with players while keeping more deserving players on the deep freezer for no apparent reason, this team would have been at least 5 games up at this point.
Redmond has 6 extra base hits, all doubles, in 129 at bats.
Dear Thrylos98:
If you don’t like the way Gardy manages, don’t watch the games. Maybe you should be a big league coach and show us all how it’s done. No matter what, people like you are going to complain.
Does Ozzie have Griff playing CF again? That’s what I like to see. This game might feature the CF who covers the most ground in the Majors and the CF who covers the least ground in the Majors. Let’s hope we can take adavantage.
Great news about missing Greinke. He made me nervous if for no other reason that we’d sweep this series and then melt down in KC. Still possible I guess but now it’s not as likely. First we have to sweep though.
WIN TWINS!
The stat geeks will tell us that 2007 (an obviously horrid year) is the real Punto, and that similar 2006 & 2008 decent years are outliers.
Please Punto lovers 
DON”T let your lieing eyes fool you.
Regards,
““285 is still very respectable”
Agree 100%. The only issue I have with Punto, and it has nothing to do with him personally, is that I think he can be replaced with a much cheaper (and younger) player.”
Agreed. I’m also a Punto basher and I also think he’s redeemed himself this year. He’s been solid. I just wish people would stop saying he’s an elite defender and I REALLY wish he’d quit with the fake hustle. Nothing irritates me more than seeing him slide head first into 1B.
Agree completely, thrylos98. Those saying we’re here because of Gardenhire need their heads checked. We’d have the division clinched already but for him.
Lovebaseball08, dumbest comment ever.
“Does anyone else hold their breath every time a ball is hit to left field? Delmon again performed his famous “crazy eight” route to catch a fly ball last night. How about bench Delmon, stick Kubel in the outfield and put Cuddy at DH?”
Except that Delmon went 3-3 last night with a HR. He made things interesting (what else is new) but he made the plays. He had a VERY solid game. You can’t sit him (or Kubel) for a rusty Cuddyer. These games are too important. Cuddy can play against KC.
No matter what, people like you are going to complain.
If Gardy wins a world series for the Twins, I promise never to complain about him
satisfied?
That is my standard
“Agree completely, thrylos98. Those saying we’re here because of Gardenhire need their heads checked. We’d have the division clinched already but for him.”
You can fault Gardy for a lot of things but you can’t act like he deserves NO credit. The guy has done a lot with a young team. He’s mismanaged the bullpen , made some questionable lineups, refused to pitch Nathan more and play Punto less, but you know what, what manager doesn’t mistakes? Despite all the mistakes he has made, he’s a BIG reason we’re where we’re at. He’s been a calming influence throughout this whole crazy season.
I’ve bashed Gardy and I’ve bashed Punto a lot this year, but I the closer we get to the end of the year, playoffs or no, I have to cut them some slack.
Patrick, you named many of the reasons we already should have already clinched. What exactly has this guy “done” with a young team that we should give him credit for except bumble things up?
Gardy seems to be a good clubhouse manager and a questionable game manager. He gets the team to believe and buy in to the system, but some gameday decions can be head scratchers.
Patrick, why would Cuddyer play against KC? Those games won’t be important? If we sweep Chicago, KC becomes more important yet.
As a White Sox fan, the reason Swisher isn’t in the line-up is because he’s been striking out a lot (it seems like every other at-bat) and he’s been pressing to hit a home run a lot, so when he does connect, it’s been lazy fly balls.
Shawn,
I really question how good a clubhouse manager Gardy is.
If you put people in the deep freezer for no apparent reason, I am not sure that this creates a good atmosphere in the team. And this has been happening the last couple of years. Before that he made sure that everyone there got opportunities to play. Now he doesn’t.
Sean, you poor thing.
Dragon
I will let Punto’s CAREER numbers speak for themselves. A .250 hitter over 1500 career ABs (including this year and 2006).
Plus not even Punto defenders can refute the obvious baserunning mistakes, errors on routine plays, AWFUL average with RISP.
I’ve given up on him playing less this year. I can only hope he’s not resigned.
Regards.
Sometimes, I forget Delmon is only 22. I have the mind set that he’s about 30. Maybe it’s the way he runs or something, I don’t know. It seems like too many balls go over his head though and he looks slow. I heard him say his ankle was bothering him, so who knows.
[…] Twins Insider – […]
just a question to all of you out there…
who would you rather have as the starting SS for the Twins next year:
Christian Guzman
Rafael Furcal
J.J. Hardy
or
Nick Punto?
healthy Furcal, otherwise Guzzie
Over in New York: Not even 2 years into the new contract, and here we go…
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8599360?MSNHPHCP>1=39002
Yes. A-Rod’s days in New York are numbered. 3,650 to be exact. (Well, minus this season of course)
Rodriquez won’t be going anywhere with that contract. He and New York are attached at the hip now.
I will let Punto’s CAREER numbers speak for themselves.
And I’ll let Punto’s 2008 numbers speak for why he’s in the starting lineup this year.
LEN3 was dead on with his entry a few days ago…some people are just so dead set and hating the guy they won’t look past 2007.
Especially those that look at 08 Bartlett and say “If only that were in the lineup instead of Punto!”
you can expand that thrylos.
all are obviously better options at SS, but even Casilla at SS and an upgrade at 2nd (Brian Roberts) would be preferred.
A-rod’s contract is such an albetros…. they are gonna hate it in 5 years.
its more than just batting average T, which you conveniently ignored. I spoke of baserunning mistakes, costly errors on routine plays, and his BAwRISP.
But no comment on any of that?
I am on the Brian Roberts train.
K-Train? That’s weak.
the Punto thing goes like this:
you either dislike him or you dislike the people complaining about him.
not many truly like him
I’m on the Punto DP train.
I’ll let Punto’s 2008 numbers speak for why he’s in the starting lineup this year
well… he has been better this year and I don’t mind him having playing time but the last couple weeks Everett has been much better with the bat than Punto and he does deserve some time on the field too, but he is Gardy’s deep freezer for some reason. Everett wins a game the other day, he is gone. Kubel wins a game yesterday he is in against a not so favorable matchup today… That’s Gardy for ya.
I’m glad we have Punto. But then again, I don’t hold grudges for things like 2007 or career numbers. Punto’s play can’t get you a win or a loss for prior years. I care about today.
Christian Guzman
Rafael Furcal
J.J. Hardy
or
Nick Punto?
So, Guzman, Furcal, and Hardy are all free agents next year? Cool.
yeap, there are many options for the SS/2B combination for next year… my point is that Casilla/Punto would probably be one of the weakest… (FYI, I’d rather see Uggla at 2B than Roberts because of the power RH bat, but I won’t complain with Roberts)
Furcal is a free agent, the other 2 are available…
why are the other 2 available?
JP,
I forgot…there’s a misprint in his BA. It’s really under .250 as you predicted.
It’s really a cool argument. 2 good years against 1 horrid year equals horrid player.
Sort of like your lot who continually predict disaster, then when it doesn’t happen use that fact as proof of coming disaster.
Regards,
I like Punto on this team this year and next. And, I like a lot of other shortstops in the majors starting over Punto. I would re-sign Punto for the utility guy. But in reality I think Punto will resign somewhere else. And then I will only care about who is on this team then.
hardy is avail
guzzie just got more money
Macleod
How much is Punto worth as a utility player? If we get a SS or 2nd baseman, then Tolbert can be the utility player. Punto would cost about 3 mill a year. Crazy for a utility player when you can pay Tolbert a couple hundred thousand.
I would re-sign Punto for the utility guy.
there are a couple of problems with this:
a. It will take about $3 mil a year to sign Punto and there are other options like Tolbert or Macri for the utility spot at an eighth of the cost. The Twins can take the extra $2.5 mil and put them into signing a difference maker (along with the $15+ mil they have as excess payroll this year)
b. With Gardy as the manager, Punto will not be a utility player…
Gah, I could strangle Bremer when he does that.
No way you pay Punto 3 mil. Obviously I don’t care how much the Pohlads spend, but we all know that signing would take away from somewhere else. I would like to see what Tolbert can do also. That injury this year just killed his progress. I’m ok with Punto leaving, but he is leaving on a high note. But we really need to sign a right handed power hitter. Of course, we’ve been saying that for years.
How deep was Delmon’s flyball?
I think someone will pay punto 2 years and 3+ mill per. I don’t think that should be the Twins.
I didn’t think Delmon’s ball was gonna be out but Dick convinced me! Damn it!
Hardy would have to obtained through a trade, unless Milwaukee was stupid enough to non-tender him, a la David Ortiz.
Twins would have him in their control for 2 years.
Delmon’s ball was a few feet from right center field wall. Griffey got their fairly easily. But it was stung hard.
You gotta watch the outfielder rather than listen to Dick. When they are cruisin’ after the ball, it probably isn’t going out. This one was closer than most. The ones that really make me laugh are the “it’s way back, pretty deep and Casilla has it”.
Span really half-assed that!
Why the hell was Span playing that far off the line? Thome is a dead pull hitter isn’t he? Single turned into a double.
Oh yay. A free baserunnner for Chicago. Funny, I thought you only got three strikes…
That was a massive phantom call the last inning.
Isn’t that the typical Thome Shift?
When those big fly balls leave the bat it actually goes out of sight from the TV press booth. The ceilings are really low in the press booth. Low enough to hit your head if you get excited and jump out of your chair. Sometimes Dick just can’t tell that it isn’t hit hard enough to go out. But it’s still annoying.
Free run…
I would put that run in the unearned column.
Lame.
Not watching, how did Thome score on out to the pitcher?
Why the hell was Span playing that far off the line? Thome is a dead pull hitter isn’t he? Single turned into a double.
alright… here it goes:
Span was playing there because the manager of the millennium positioned him to play there. If you want to complain about someone at that play, it should be Gardy and not Span.
Punto should not be the everyday shortstop.
If you like numbers, take a closer look. Beyond batting average, he’s pretty useless at the plate. Per 100 AB he has about 12 R and 9 RBI. By contrast, Harris has 13 R and 11 RBI and Everett has 15 R and 19 RBI per 100 AB. In Everett’s case, it is a small sample size, but it’s a pretty big difference. (And as I recall, the Punto apologists used a similar number of AB’s to justify his place in the lineup over Harris a few months ago). With Harris, it’s only marginal improvement, but it at least dispels any myth that Punto’s lack of RBI’s are balanced by an increase in runs scored.
Let’s not forget the “subjective” arguments. Punto has inexcusably gaffed on the bases several times. His “great defense” comes at the expense of other foolish risks that cost the Twins outs and bases. Everett plays SS effortlessly, and at least Harris doesn’t take stupid risks.
This is why I’d much rather have Everett out there. Alternatively, start Harris and liberally use Everett as a defensive replacement Punto can play 3B against LHP.
I was in a suite a few times this year and I know exactly what Macleod is talking about. You can’t follow the ball from where you’re at sometimes. Even the crowd (depending on where they sit) will lose the trail.
9 times out of 10 everybody’s trying to watch the ball and not the fielder. So they don’t see that he’s easing into position.
And YAY! More runners that shouldn’t be there.
Span’s mental lapse stings a bit now.
Blackburn is getting a lot of the plate on some of these pitches…
gatty,
He must be tired already!
Not watching, how did Thome score on out to the pitcher?
It was a squibber that spun slowly to Blackburn.
And godDAMNit that one non-strike has now put three extra runners on and a run on the board.
LAME! Friggin’ LAME!
This is going to end in tears.
Okay, enough of the balls that are in the middle of the plate.
breaking ball has good movement. fastball has none!
Humber warming up yet?
C’mon Nick 2 outs!
The inconsistency of this zone is going to drive me off the wall.
You can already see it getting to Blackburn.
This is NOT fair.
don’t panic. one more time….
gotta put em in the middle of the plate if nothing else will be called a strike
gatty,
Blackburn is pitching to contact…what’s wrong with that!?
this next pitch shouldn’t be anywhere near the middle of the plate
Didn’t pitch to contact on that pitch…
GOT HIM!
at least when they swing and miss it counts
good save, Blackburn. I hope the rest of the innings go faster because I’m not wanting to see our bullpen.
there goes Blackie
Now let’s see what he calls this half.
Thank god!
maybe Ozzie was talking about his team when he said “cheap hits”.
btw, the strikeout pitch was a 2-seamer belt high and dead in the middle of the plate
we’re definitely going to need some runs tonight. 3-4 isn’t gonna cut it.
Kind of cool how playoffs started in Minnesota a week early this year. Tough that we were down 3 coming in… but, still nice to have playoff atmosphere again.
that 2-seamer had some movement on it. and it was a little above the belt and he couldn’t catch up to it.
And the first called strike was way off comaprred to the one on Thome.
Yay.
No kidding Carlos G…if you would’ve told me in January they’d be playing meaningful baseball at this point, I’d have called you crazy.
Superman
ok, that head first slide was the worst head first slide in the history of baseball
Perfect bunt for Gomez
Bert, let’s wait and see if Punto’s a Twins in 2010.
Everybody else, spew away.
WOW! Gomez is fast.
Gogo!
THIS is what we need to do.
Spew, Spew
Span wants to walk his way to glory!
Span apparently thinking if he can’t go 0-5 if he doesn’t have an AB tonight.
Alright! Nice hit.
like I said, Span is waiting for a good pitch to hit
PUNTO!
We were talking at the game last night, and we agreed Griffey is a terrible fielder. I’d wager 80% of CFs either keep Punto at 3rd or gun him down at home.
man finally we get some excitement i love meaningful september games. screw bunting bloop it chisox outfielders are a bit slow and need rascals out there.
Same thing that happened to Vazquez. Got flustered and lost focus.
Gomez was out on that play.
k we are even from the non called strike play so there ozzie.
If that tag’s on the otherside of the runner he’s out.
he didn’t put the tag down fast enough, and it was behind Gomez so the ump couldn’t even see the tag
Let’s call it even now for the Thome walk
Guillen Meltdown in 3…2…
Strike zone tightened for Burhls, now it is about the same for both pitchers.
Kick his ass Seabass!!!!
meltdown coming
Buehrle looks like he is rattled from the 2 IF hits and the bloop. Time to get a noisy hit.
Don’t hit it directly to 2nd base mauer! Hit it out!
how was he safe at second..yikes
time to clear the bases
AJ pouting…
ok.. walk a run home here
Gee Guillen, Twins pitched outta their bad call.
Mauer took away a walk from himself, but he get an RBI…
ok Mauer, you’ve reached your groundball limit for the night! Glad he beat that out.
oh, well… that was ball 4
Wow, the zone has really shrunk
If he doesn’t get Morneau Buhrle’s done.
ewww..really?
Morne, take the walk, they weren’t pitching to you!
With this zone, this game could be ugly.
Hopefully the Twins keep building and the Sox keep pouting.
Shoot. Those weren’t the noisy hits I was looking for.
game should be about 8-5 Twins right now.
Remember, all it takes is a walk and a HR to tie it up.
Damn…
Come on Blackie, make some pitches!
Wow, what a great play by Harris!
BAM!
Buscher doesn’t make that throw.
Small strike zone should favor the HR hitting team. This could be a stressful game.
Wow, nice Harris!
gatty, I don’t know if anybody is looking for you to keep us grounded. ok?
Even beat him by a half step, that is impressive.
I’m giving that play to Gardy for starting Harris. Just kidding.
That’s Webgem for Harris.
Okay. 1B is a power position, so I can understand the lumberjack type players.
So, is a undocumented feature with the tall 1B that he can make those stretches like that?
Wish the kid hadn’t been buried on the bench for the last month….
Great comeback inning for Blackburn!
That was K pitch was not going to be called a ball…
down the middle is good when they freeze
watching in Chicago, Hawk harrelson crying about “blown call” of gomez being out at second on pick off in 2nd
remember last year we couldnt buy an infielder now we have like 7 of the same guys which neccassarily isnt a bad thing
when the twins are winning sometimes I listen to the Sox broadcast. And then I laugh and laugh…..
but hawk sound like its the only reason they are losing
Keep the hits coming!
I just text messaged the Sox TV booth to tell Hawk I paid off the 2nd base ump…
I know somebody working up there. I don’t think they will relay the message.
corey koskie is at the game!!!
3-run shot. Gogo. I am calling it
macleod,
i do that too when the whities are getting hammered
Gardy won’t let him hit a home run.
man, you jinx it…
DrDon here for the party, I am enjoying the lead by our PUPS, and as always, I enjoy a cold one in each inning the PUPS score, so I am ahead by 2, gotta love it. Hey Macleod, I like gaty’s comments, lot’s of us share those, so keep it up Gaty790. Darn, no cool one this inning, so guess will have to borrow from another inning. LET’S KEEP IT UP PUPS!!!! WIN TWINS!!!!!!!!!
Punto is a rally killer.
Just borrowed from an upcoming inning, don’t know which one yet, time will tell, DrDon the beerman here, getcher cold beer here….Shut ‘em down Blackie!!!!WIN TWINS~~~~~~~~~
who throws back 611?
Dang, we need more runs.
Nice trot by Griffey. Hopefully the Twins can get a cushy lead back and just plant one in his ribs.
Come on Blackburn, now is not the time to feel sorry for yourself and start to leave pitches up
Stop ragging on Punto, dang it….I’ll bet JP didn’t say anything good last night on his Squeeze play.
“who throws back 611?”
An Idiot
Blackburn, you need to pick up your offense after they didn’t add to the lead. You came on strong in the 3rd, do it again!
A squeeze play in a 9-3 game?
The guy is batting awful with runners on base. 0-2 today. We need to break this open and punto is not helping, in fact has been a liability so far.
Don’t like it? Don’t read it.
Maybe the Twins pitchers should get part-time jobs this winter as Santa Clauses. They could go out together and give away leads.
Errrrk.
Why couldn’t they get the DP?
That could be a very key play…
Love the excitement of 3rd to Home rundowns.
Valid point by Dick.
Harris gave that guy the serial killer look.
Well, Harris doesn’t catch that he’s out anyway on fan interference.
What the HECK was that guy thinking!?
What a stupid twins fan. Should get eaten alive by the fans, we don’t need a Twins version of Bartman. At least he missed…
Nice pitch by Burns
Likewise, JP, settle down….that happened to be a big play at the time of the game it happened, so back off and enjoy the game, stop the bellyaching.
Love the excitement of 3rd to Home rundowns.
The words “AJ” and “rundown” are common partners in the average baseball fans sentence.
Lot of idiots at the game tonight
How did Bartman get tickets to this game?
Those guys who tried to pull a Jeffrey Maier need to be taken out behind the dome and strung up NOW!
How about Mauer and/or Morneau get a hit when it matters? Like in a 3-2, Must-Win game? Span and Casilla have gotten on base four times in front of them, and Mauer has two RBI groundouts. Nice.
Don’t like it? Don’t read it.
Don’t like it? Don’t watch it.
Wait, not Jeffrey Maier; Steve Bartman, the guy who screwed the cubs.
Mauer’s last AB was pathetic. He rolled right over on it.
Had feeling the Twins were going to have to win one 8-5 or 7-6 this series. Looks like tonight is going to have to be that kind of night. Get the bats going again boys (especially you M & M).
Big B looks like is starting to get a little warmer…
Yeah the Indians are ONLY seven games back, dick.
Why are the twins swinging at poor pitches all of a sudden? Did they put it on cruise or something?
Making it too easy on Buerhle.
Nice and easy 9 pitch inning…
Gatty, I think the point Dick’s making is that if the Twins get the job done, the Tribe have something to play for.
No HRs Blackburn
Why did the Twins all of a sudden start swinging at crap?
What gives?
M&M need to deliver pretty quick here…
Nice turn!
Nice turn by Casilla
Dp!!!!
Come on, that is a strike. Come on.
that pitch was so good it fooled the ump
Note to Blackburn, you are not allowed to strike out Thome to end an inning.
It’s a rule. Look it up. The ump doesn’t suck, he’s following a rule.
*pfft*
Hopefully this ends better than last time.
Thome should be 0-3 with 3 SO. Instead he is 1-2 with a double.
please dont tell me gardy is going to put boof or gas can in this game
Time for the offense to respond. The first step is to have good at bats.
Two bad strike calls and a dinger are seperating Blackburn from a night simliar to Baker’s.
Blackburn has done his job today. Get Boof and Breslow ready for next inning.
Blackie can start, but any baserunners and give him the yank.
Wow. The ump forgot the ground rules…
Good at bat for Morne, get a big hit Kubes!
That was a strike? Seriously?
Buerhle just left a pitch up and Kubel missed it.
WOW Kubel–just wow. I like that you tried to go the other way since the pitch was outside, but that just killed any chance we had at a run this inning. And now Delmon singles.
Nice.
DY!
Delmon can’t be stopped right now. Somebody get’em in.
Wow, the zone opened up for that pitch.
So…does anyone like Blackburn/our bullpen’s chances holding a one-run lead?
The offense has been lulled to sleep since the second inning. That needs to change.
neither team is done scoring
Bringing in the Breslow.
Need Brelow to go a whole inning here.
I don’t like his chances with any many hits as he has given up tonight in five innings. Twins had a chance to knock out Buerle early and missed. Could have had 8 instead of 3.
*Breslow
Why are all of these Mariners killing the twins this year?
I’d wager that more than 5 runs are going to get scored in the next 3 innings.
I guess Gardy didn’t trust Blackie.
How many pitches has Bonser thrown in the bullpen? Has to be approaching 70 or so.
Maybe two from Breslow…that would be big.
And the zone continues in its little dance.
Great inning for Breslow
Well done Breslow.
Breslow still has not trimmed up that quasi-mullet. And why is Bonser warming? Bring in Guerrier, he’ll shut ‘em down! Seriously, though, leave Breslow in for another inning.
Any chance Gardy keeps Breslow in there for the 7th?
Good inning by Breslow
Hope Gardy lets Breslow come back for an encore inning.
Got to love Breslow. I hope he’s back next year because he has been solid. USe him and the kid as the two lefty options (and Perkins if he goes to the pen). Save money on Reyes to get a legit stick.
No way Breslow pitches the next inning, Bonser’s arm is hanging by a thread from warming …
Jeez, Breslow has a 1.97 ERA! Pretty good, esp. relative to the rest of the clowns in the pen.
OK. methinks that Gardy learned his lesson and took Blackie off at the right time.
And this is going to be at least a 3 run inning for the Twins
Stop swinging at the crap!
Suprised Punto didn’t try to dive head first. You know it gets you there quicker.
How about a bunt Go-Go?
why?
Not with 2 strikes you dummy!
Another poor inning by the disappearing Twins offense.
Gomez needs a lobotomy. Ice pick, preferably.
WTF was that inning?
Nick Punto is the Jason Tyer of the infield.
OK, so Gardy laughs at Gomez for striking out on a crappy bunt? WTH?
Offense in a come now.
Great, next inning we get to look forward to Mauer rolling over on yet another pitch, and hitting a weak grounder to the right side. If he wants another batting title, he better sic that tendency in the bud right now.
Please be good Boof….Please
Each pitch is like a countdown to the seemingly inevitable…
The Twins are still winning. Buehrle is practically out of the game and the sox stinking pen is coming up next…
Hope that Boof holds up for an inning or 2
Shawn in Binghamton,
Because he’s fast…
because he’s goo at it…
Because they’ve gotten a rut..
Because he’s not going to walk..
Because Buerhle hasn’t gotten into a rhythm…
Pick one or more of those
Boooooooof! This game now has “LOSS!” written all over it. Thanks again, Gardy!
Well hold our breath
I would be very surprised if Ozzie takes out Buerhle
why pull breslow?
I can’t handle the Boof.
You know, I like Boof but I hope that we’ve got someone else warming up in the BP.
I just got here … Are we really complaining about Mauer? Boof I get, but Mauer?
i have Crain and Mijares up in the pen. Ready to go.
And the zone keeps moving around, please no HRs
Officially nervous.
for realz, bres only threw 8 pitches or something, and did great.
August/September Boof has been pretty good. Actually great in comparison to the rest. 10 ERs in 27+ innings; a bit over 3.3 ERA
Oh great…now jinx the Twins with the Dye HR stat.
all you negative people suck!
breslow threw 7 pitches and got 3 outs, why does gardy refuse to let him pitch more.
Reyes or Mijares better be ready for Thome.
Because Boof is the man!
Suck it jerks!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOF!
TC
Gardy wants Breslow ready for tomorrow.
*eye roll*
Great pitch by Bonser to get the out. Time for our middle of the lineup to flex its muscle!
Nathan for the eighth and ninth?
okay, we can exhale now
Mirajes for the 8th and Nathan for the 9th. Let’s do this thing!
Boof got bailed out of that one.
New rule: Boof has to warm up for at least 2 innings before making an appearence. whew! wtg Boof!!
Gatty, I diagnose you as bi-polar, with schizophrenia and dilusions.
TC Fan,
I agree-Breslow continues to be one ofthe few bright spots in the pen, but the way he is used you would never know.
How did Boof get bailed out? Looked like he did OK to me!
I agree Macleod, we have one heck of a good and intense game and people are bellyaching….geez people, enjoy some good baseball….lighten up and stop the negatives.
Carlos G
Great call. Mijares for the 8th but Nathan should be up soft tossing, ready to get in there if it gets scary.
I’m scairt.
Am I the only one thinking that since Breslow is a lefty and rightys were coming up that MAY have had something to do with it????
How is their pitcher still in the game?
gatty, Nathan could be having a busy weekend. No 8th for him
Time for Justin to yank one.
If the game is blown in the 8th, the weekend might not have its luster…
It’s called venting. A lot of posters are emotionally involved. Better than kicking the dog.
If its too negative, go somewhere else.
Punto sucks. He is the Jason Tyner of the infield.
Kubel time!
I think you have to have Nathan ready in 8th. They have to win this one first. Tomorrow they may not even need him, one way or the other. Lose tonight and its trouble.
Yes lets keep the ad hominem attacks to the teams. Not each other.
Left one up…
yep, always nice to vent after kicking the crap out of a team last night and having the lead the whole game tonight.
VENTING ABOUT WHAT?!?! GREAT PLAY?!?!?!
Nathan has not been very good when having to pitch the eighth and ninth.
Mijares. Anyone but Guerrier
Head first slide for Morne. That’s dangerous.
Hey romer, good to see ya. Let’s help the Twins’ PUPS win this thing….Tonight’s game is what bezz baw is all about. WIN TWINS!!!!!
“…lighten up and stop the negatives.”
Hey DrDon, I’m tense over this thing tonight. Can’t afford any losses to the palehose ya know.
Just got back from the local 3-2 tap. Tired of the dark Leinie.
What’s on tap at the DrDon bar?
mvp move there, especially if he scores
That’s dangerous.And he looked like an idiot.
Dang it. Now the middle of the White Sox order gets a chance in the eighth…
Big top of the 8th coming up here…is everyone on pins and needles?
Wasted!
Mijares will carry it through.
Going with the kid for the 8th!
‘Is everyone on pins and needles’
No, everyone has a supreme confidence in our bullpen here
Is the ump blind with Thome at the dish?
hope the youngster is ready for this
Macleod
don’t judge the way i deal with the intensity of the game tonight.
if i’m worried about Boof or the bullpen (AND ITS A REAL CONCERN) and want to post it, then thats what i’ll do.
Punto is awful.
hey gatty, if we’re (that would be the Twins for me) up in the 9th do you get a head start on complaining about tomorrow, or do you hope for Nathan to blow the save? Or do you complain because you can’t decide?
Joe is warming….
Gardy was worried he couldn’t handle a 7-1 lead about 2 weeks ago
Nice strike two
That was impressive
JP, I have seen no reason to get too worried. 1 runner on first? There hasn’t been bases loaded, a shot deep, nothing!
Wow, this kid has some kind of gusto
this is what I was hoping for from this kid when he came up in September
bombat
HILARIOUS POST!!!!
probably too negative though.
bombat, that is a great point. What a change in such a short time!
“Gardy was worried he couldn’t handle a 7-1 lead about 2 weeks ago”
Or maybe Gardy should be given credit for the way he’s handled the guy to put him in position to succeed.
this kid has some fire in him. good to see.
Mijares rocks! That was big time pitching.
Fantastic.
We have found our eighth inning man!
Macleod
so don’t post about the bullpen.
me? i’ve seen the bullpen the last month. they are the main reason why we don’t have about a 5 game lead. 1 run can be erased by one pitch.
Mauer, get your ass out there. Mijares is pumped; he’s facing a legend.
Do your quarterback thing.
Well, WTF, never mind. Mijares looks like a monster.
How’s that for a postitive future, DrDon. HE’S ALREADY THE LEADER OF THE PACK!!
Mijares is the man!! Great great job.
That kid has got to be on the big club next year!
17 innings down, 10 to go. How many innings have we trailed so far?
LET’S GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!! Great 8th by the new PUP!!!!
buerhle come back in?
Wow just tore through the heart of the order! I’m loving this kid!!!
GREAT JOB MIJARES.
GARDY YOU’VE DONE WELL WITH THE BULLPEN TONIGHT!!
PUNTO STILL SUCKS!!
Pitchers tonight are responding to Gardy showing faith in them.
Gardy let Blackburn go 5 to get his win (so far), Breslow did well, and Boof finished off his inning.
Now Mijares comes out of nowhere for the 8th. What a job he’s done.
Reyes may be looking for work this offseason…
17 innings down, 10 to go. How many innings have we trailed so far?
Technically 0. 
But I’m not going to brag util the seasons over.
Two words: Insurance Run
Mijares is a cinematic tour-de-force.
No bragging, just happy. And a little surprised.
Macleod…..ZERO!!!!!!!!!!
Young is swinging well in a big series
Young is single-handedly proving doubters wrong..at least until tomorrow
I know a RH pitcher is in. But let Harris hit. Don’t hit Buscher, Guillen will go to a lefty. I would rather see Harris against a RH pitcher than Buscher against a LH pitcher.
Good work
Young picking a good time to heat up.
This series may be what the Twins need to get fired up. Not only for the playoff push, but if they can get into the postseason.
Gardy deserves some credit for bringing him along, just as he deserves some criticism for over use of other bullpen guys.
I can understand his use of breslow tonight in this type of game, but using guys for one hitter and two pitches against KC in June, I don’t agree with. Those guys throw a lot of pitches each time they get up and that wears them out by seasons end even if they only throw a couple pitches during the game.
sorry in advance for the negativity
punto better not bat in this inning….
apparently Cliff Lee may not pitch on Sunday.
Love when Delmon is pulling the ball with some pop.
Nice Bunt Harris! Let’s go small ball!
Good job Harris.
Punto, here is your chance.
Would love to eat crow right here.
Mijares is amazing - hey kid, we are going to bring you up to the majors in a division race straight from AA (correct me if I am wrong) and then give you the ball in the 8th inning of a one run ball game and ask you to hold the lead for Nathan, sound cool?
if Punto hits you all owe him a personal apology.
Twins have trailed for nine pitches this series.
Buscher can’t pinch hit here?
what if he takes strike 3 looking
I hate umpires
That pitch has been a ball and a strike tonight. I dunno know anymore.
You want Punto’s defense in the 9th. Easy call.
strike zone is a bit of a moving target tonite
ARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!
Why Gardy why? You’ve got Everett on the bench. PH Cuddy right there.
punto doesn’t take bat off his shoulder? hard to get an rbi that way
Punto+RISP=Poison
Cuddy would have been a good call
Well, at least if the Twins win tonight people can still rest comfortably knowing they can whine about Punto tomorrow.
Otherwise what joy could they get from this game?
I want Everett’s defense in the 9th. Easy call.
I love the intensity of this, and an almost full house at the Dome is adding to it. OK, Joe, DO IT BIG GUY!!!!!!!!
Why no Lee Sunday? Don’t they owe it to the game?
Why no pinch hitter for Punto? Why can’t I stop being nervous?
Macleod
You owe us a post now as well.
I was ready to eat crow if Punto delivered.
Good no substitutions by Gardy. You have the lead and one of the best closers coming in. You left in your defensive guys. Now win it!
I don’t trust Everett’s noodle arm. At all.
OK, I’m sorry Mauer didn’t get a hit earlier with two runners in scoring position. There, I said it. Wait, who else should I apologize for? Kubel? Morneau? Nah, we still have the lead.
Pressure cooker time. And the Twins have the perfect solution for that.
“I want Everett’s defense in the 9th. Easy call.”
That’s fine, but I’d say that keeping the guy in there who has been in the game daily instead of playing about three times in the last two months (and still having a suspect arm) is an OK call.
There is something seriously wrong when people are begging for Everett’s bat and noodle arm to come in the game.
Alexi wasn’t ready for that fastball
Meh, typical K’s from Gomez and Punto; lets hope Nathan does his job
Its hard to believe punto is battling 280 this year - does he get ALL his hits with no one on?
will swisher be batting this inning?
Even before he threw his first pitch, I see CLASS on the mound.
the only regular infielders with worse fielding numbers than everett are buscher and harris.
I will keep it as is
Punto hasn’t had an RBI in almost 24 hours. Stiff.
By the way everyone, i am still wearing my lucky Twins shirt from last night. If we win should I wear it for tomorrow?
You don’t have to PH hit Punto with Everett. Use Cuddy or Buscher to hit. THEN go with Everett.
this is awesome
only thing better is october baseball
I wanna see a rising 96 mph FB.
I’m wearing my Morneau jersey from last night also. The dryer and a bounce fabric sheet will have it ready again for tomorrow!
matt - yes
We need a fastball here from Joe, just blow Alexei away.
no such thing as a rising fastball.
i would take 96 though
yes matt
punto should lead off the game. get a man on, and its kryptonite to him. Thats probably a bad example as that would imply punto is superman.
1 out
Harris brought out the cannon tonight!
Wow, the boos for AJ are thundering.
One down, 2 to go!
SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh wow.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOMEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
He found an extra gear on that one, wow!
“no such thing as a rising fastball.”
You just saw one, DUDE.
web gem
Gazelle
interesting matchup…AJ vs Nathan…why does that ring some bells?
The Santana trade gets better looking as time goes by. Gomez really deserves the Gold Glove this year.
that is amazing
he closed ground on that so fast it was unreal
Cmon baby!!!
One more!!!
Gomez
gold glove
i thought you meant rising going toward the plate, not toward the gap
Joey pitching like a veteran. No HR allowed.
Okay, no HRs
Owens can run to 2nd, he can run to 3rd, but he ain’t gonna run home.
Agree. No FB down the pipe to Swish on 3-0. Pitch to Wyse.
Nathan is going to give me diarhhea.
I can’t watch
You want Joe to throw all strikes, but he is a cagey fellow. Throwing all the tricks out there.
bombat, change your name to bombast.
Talk about pressure. This is why a closer is so important.
Sweet Victory!
YESSS!!!!
Yes!!
Another series win as well!
Game ball goes to the entire pitching staff. Every single pitcher was on the top of their game tonight and the twins won as a result. Great pressure filled game with the bullpen pitching four stellar innings. Twins have played excellent ball in the first two games.
Nathan got the job done, but his mechanics look a little out of whack to me. He was missing by a wide margin outside there; very unusual.
OK I am breathing again.
standing ovation for the bullpen tonite. they did their jobs.
and you should change yours to the almighty blogger
.5 out!!!!
Keep it rolling tomorrow! Guillen and the boys are feeling their sphinters tighten up game by game. AB by AB!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO YOU JUNKYARD MADDOG PUPS. BRING OUT THE BROOMS TOMORROW GUYS, LET’S CLEAN HOUSE ON THE WHITE SUX!!!!!!!!!
Notice how neither Guerrier nor Crain even warmed up? I say GOOD. Keep those bums on the bench. Indeed, don’t even have them dress for the rest of the season. So if the Twins make the playoffs, whose spot does Mijares take? I vote Guerriers, but Gardy will probably be loyal and leave him on.
A game ball also goes to Gomez because he made a great defensive play to seal the game.
Now that is a beautiful thing… sweep tomorrow!
Just a walk in the park!! Never a doubt ….. May I exhale now?
I blame Gardy for the fact that this game was so close. His playing favorites is obviously killing the morale of this team. Everett would have probably been 4-4 with a cycle tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be lucky to go extra innings the way this series is going.
“Another series win as well!”
Well………sorry. KC is gonna be tough. And it’s looking like Cleveland will be a tad easy for the whiner-whities.
Tomorrow is a MUST WIN!
YAY TWINS!! Get it done tomorrow!
no time to relax tomorrow night
bullpen is in good shape, just need a solid start from slowey
Slowey needs to go 7 innings.
Then Breslow-Mijares-Nathan.
Mets fighting for their lives. Diamondbacks too.
Twins too.
Who’s collar gets tight tomorrow. That will be huge again. The boys look confident and determined.
Wow, what happens if AJ’s liner goes to the wall? Gomez, what a stud. As I said in April, meet the future all star center fielder. (2010 — for sure he will have the hitting going by then)
The Sox will have to face Cliff Lee, and if the Sox are within half a game of Twins, either way, on Sunday, then they’ll have to play Detroit one game.
42,126 at the game today. Methinks there will be more tomorrow.
IT’S MILLER TIME!!!!!!!!
romer,
Cleveland until tonight had been pretty hot-I just hope Lee would not be an ass and pitch regardless on Sunday.
Shaun - if Slowey goes 7 then we’d only need one before Nathan in the ninth 
Indians will be easy to face? The way they have been playing lately? As someone else said Cliff Lee is pitching a game as well.
Cleveland says if race isn’t decided then Lee will pitch.
bombat, please learn that every pitch is on the downward plane as it’s thrown from a risen mound.
And there are 4-seamer FB’s which rise from that plane. I remember Jack Morris, Brad Radke, and Joe Nathan doing it a lot.
Yet, you said there’s “no such thing”.
Enjoy yourself.
Given how big of an ass Cliff Lee is, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he laid over for the Sox. Then again, I can’t really see him tossing away the chance to win 23.
Reusse will note that Mauer had another 0-fer and had 2 RBIs.
Great baseball game, sports fans!!!! Me thinks the White Sux are floundering, and we will sweep tomorrow and take over 1st place. Awesome job tonight, PUPS!!!
Anyone who thinks that spin can’t make a ball rise, curve left or right or down, has never played the game Trackball. Jeff Reardon’s bread and butter was a 4-seam rising fastball.
so how does it rise? It appears to rise but science shows it does not. Check out the science of baseball sometime. Great reading for baseball junkies.
No love lost between the ChiSox and Lee. Last time he pitched against them, Lee and AJ got into it. Spilled over into the papers the next day.
Lee would love to help send them home.
I can’t believe 3-2 held up, and Blackburn got the win. I wasn’t doubting if we’d win, but I thought each team would score again.
Even when Mauer doesn’t get a hit he is productive.
Lee is thinking of not pitching, playing the prima donna. But seriously, what was with Nathan’s ability to locate his pitches?
“Every single pitcher was on the top of their game tonight….”
No criticism of any Twins player, again, from me tonight. So, gatty, agreed.
I’m sure Blackie wanted to do a little better vs Griffey.
It rises because the seams act almost like a paddle boat’s wheel, piling up air molecules under the ball, such that the pressure under the ball is higher relative to the pressure on top, so it rises. Ever watch fast pitch softball. Can’t tell me they don’t make the ball rise.
Lee also still has a chance to tie the Indians’ team record for wins by a LHP.
A nice chocolate milk will help calm my heart from its arrhythmia
Here is what Wikipedia says about the “rising fastball”
The rising fastball is an effect perceived by batters, but is known to be a baseball myth. Some batters claim to have seen a “rising” fastball, which starts as a normal fastball, but as it approaches the plate it rises several inches and gains a burst of speed. Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden were often described as the paramount pitchers with this kind of ball action.
Such a pitch is known to be physically impossible, due to restrictions of gravity, conservation of momentum, and air density. It has been explained as an optical illusion. What is likely happening is that the pitcher first throws a fastball at one speed, and then, using an identical arm motion, throws another fastball at a higher speed. The higher speed fastball arrives faster and sinks less due to its high speed. The added back-spin from the higher speed further decreases the amount of sink. When the pitch is thrown, the batter expects a fastball at the same speed, yet it arrives more quickly and at a higher level. The batter perceives it as a fastball which has risen and increased in speed. A switch from a two-seam to a four-seam fastball can enhance this effect.
You know that Lee wants to pitch and win another game to seal the Cy Young, though it is virtually a done deal right now.
what a great spot for this team to be in. Hopefully, they are young enough and hungry enough to just kicking butt. if nothing else, great experience for a bunch of young kids
“IT’S MILLER TIME!!!!!!!!”
Okay Dr Mister. And it’s Chilean time for me. Still drinking the Ozzie wine.
I don’t buy it. Again, if you can do it in softball, and no doubt you can, and in the game Trackball, no reason you can’t make a baseball rise too.
Awesome win, as I said last week - if the Twins win the division - Ozzie will not be coaching the White Sox next year.
I sense a melt down of gigantic proportion coming !!
Tracball. Check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/Wham-O-Tracball-Track-Ball-Trac-Ball-Game-Fastest-Ship_W0QQitemZ200256381352QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200256381352&_trkparms=72%3A1205|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
How ironic in season when this thing would be over if not for blown lead by the bullpen… they come thru in style (including Boof no less) to give the twins the biggest win of the year!
One more to get!
johnnyonspot check this link
http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/1283281.html?page=2
i used to be able to do it on rbi baseball on nintendo too
i used to argue it was possible too because i was convinced doc gooden’s FB was a riser. then a college physics prof ruined it for me.
If Gomez doesn’t win the gold glove this year, it will be a shame. I know he has a lot of errors but most of those have come on throws and not with his glove.
trackball rocks
are you selling yours?
I hope they keep this race going so the game will be on tv on saturday
cubs play saturday on fox…. no chance the twins game will be on in most markets…. including binghamton
especially since they are playing the royals
Just saw Ozzie’s press conference. I have no idea what he said. I think he kept switching between English and Spanish, but I’m not sure.
Ozzie bagged on Blackburn.
He grinded, would have liked more innings but he battled while he was in.
F*CK SPORTSCENTER!!!!
I think maybe Gardy’s decision not to play Cuddyer was a bit in error, hard to say how he would have done. Twins had to scratch for those three runs, but it held up. Hope the bats are hot tomorrow night and they scre early and often and Slowey keeps them in the game.
“If Gomez doesn’t win the gold glove this year, it will be a shame. I know he has a lot of errors but most of those have come on throws and not with his glove.”
Throwing skill is a fundamental criteria of “Golden Glove” rankings.
It’s NOT ALL about glovework, regardless what the award is called.
If the Twins were to lose tomorrow, they will be 2 games behind in the loss column with 3 games to go.
Not where you wanna be.
gatty, is the fiance drinking choc milk too? Watching you switch blogs?
“I think he kept switching between English and Spanish, but I’m not sure.”
I’m convinced there will be a mutiny on the south side in the coming years. And FIRE, you heard it first from me.
I have NO IDEA why they gave Ozzie the long-term contract. But them having done so is a good thing.
Best guess at the post season roster:
RF Span
2B Casilla
C Mauer
1B Morneau
DH Kubel
LF Young
3B Buscher
SS Punto
CF Gomez
C Redmond
DH Cuddyer
3B Harris
IF Tolbert
SS Everett
SP Liriano
SP Baker
SP Slowey
C Nathan
RP Mijares
RP Breslow
RP Crain
RP Reyes
RP Guardado
RP Guerrier
RP Blackburn
How about the play Harris made on Cabrera on that ground ball and he has cannon from third base to first. Played a good game, good decision by Gardy.
that play saved the game in my opinion
Can’t wait for tomorrow. Hopefully Slowey has the good stuff.
Great play by Harris!
fcmlefty, you got the position players right. And thanks for the post.
But who are the pitchers on the playoff roster now, which was set on Aug. 1st? Are Breslow and Guardado on it?
No Boof? No Perkins? Mijares can’t replace either of them, right?
No fiance for me, but I did drink enough chocolate milk for two or three people. Just Delicious.
romer
No eddie g. I think Mijares can be in if someone is injured
Red Sox are all but the WC now.
Twins pitchers with only 2 K’s tonight. Whities aren’t exactly lying down. Hopefully the team doesn’t start following Junior’s example.
I say no Guardado, Reyes,Breslow and Mijares will be the lefties. Boof needs to be on there as well, can’t trust Guerrier and Crane that much.
Mijares will be on the playoff roster if the twins can grind out the rest of the season. It is just a matter of who will make way for him.
gatty, tequila rose is delicious. Never tried tequila chocolate.
I know Jose Cuervo makes some of those chocolates, but I don’t think I have ever had the pleasure…
Id say someone needs to be there instead of Guerrier; he’s clearly in dire straights and we’d be hard pressed to use him in a playoff game. maybe perkins over him? one cant have too many lefties
See everyone again tomorrow. Hopefully the twins will win another important September game!
Not meant to yell particularly at any of y’all, but
WHERE THE HELL IS THE PLAYOFF ROSTER? It was set on August 1; correct?
I’ve asked for a source for days, yet get no reponse. Am I totally out of whack here?
I can only guess that it consists of –
The starting 5-core
Nathan
Neshek
Guerrier
Reyes
Crain
Boof
The 14 postition players fcmlefty posted above.
So, Mijares replaces Neshek.
Or do playoff teams get to start from scratch?
What’s the Commissioner’s phone number?
Mijares gets Nesheks spot. Everybody else was on the roster at the end of the day on August 31, so they are good to go.
Tolbert and Cuddyer were both on the DL at the end of the day August 31st, so they too are eligible to be on the roster.
I too would have a different list of pitchers if I was choosing. I’m guessing what the team will do, not what I’d do
