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The Friscalating Dusklight: Numbers to think about

Posted on September 16th, 2008 – 4:43 PM
By Michael Rand

liriano.JPGHere they are:

150 1/3 innings
99 hits
30 earned runs
40 walks
156 strikeouts
16-3 record
1.80 ERA

That’s Francisco Liriano, in his last 24 Major League starts, minus the disaster that happened earlier this season when he wasn’t ready. That’s 16 starts in 2006 and 8 this year. He’s on the hill tonight, and it cannot be stressed enough that the Twins would not be in this mix still if he hadn’t come back so strong.

This is a make-or-break game tonight in our books: The Twins have lost two in a row, Cleveland throws Cliff Lee tomorrow, and then it’s four in Tampa Bay against the slumping but playoff-bound Rays. Your thoughts on Liriano, the Twins, and the audacity of hope?

32 Responses to "The Friscalating Dusklight: Numbers to think about"

UofM2010 says:

September 16th, 2008 at 4:54 pm

“The Audacity of Hope” is a very good book. Thanks for asking.

Stu says:

September 16th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

If the Twins lose tonight, I predict that the White Sox will clinch the pennant at the Metrodome next week.

Completely unrelated: Sugar Kane by Sonic Youth is a great song.

Michael Rand says:

September 16th, 2008 at 5:09 pm

Technically, Stu, the pennant goes to the winner of the American League, so that would be impossible.

Also, if we’re talking about “Dirty,” we’re talking about 100 Percent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svEJUVO_nh4

jama says:

September 16th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

You forgot:
1 new Left elbow ligament

I said last night was a must win and look what happened. Now that the NFL and College Football are here I had forgotten that the Twins were still playing.

Why no FIRE GARDENHIRE!!!! posts?

lattewarrior says:

September 16th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

Cast your stones if you must but I’ve always found Sonic Youth to be slightly overrated.

lattewarrior says:

September 16th, 2008 at 5:30 pm

On a self-promoting music note, my 90s compilation is burned and ready to be shipped.

“120 Minutes and Then Some: An Anthology of Buzz Bin Staples, Alternative Chart-Toppers and Grunge Goodies” is available on 14 CDs or 22 cassettes.

Get all 230 tracks for $35 or in exchange for a RandBall T-shirt.

Stu says:

September 16th, 2008 at 6:51 pm

Technically, Michael, SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP.

Yeah, I’m an idiot.

newbie says:

September 16th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

Ummm, yeah you should not put up posts like this anymore. I remember you saying we should put Nathan in the 8th and 9th, then he blew like 4 saves. No more Twins posts please.

Michael Rand says:

September 16th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

um. yeah. not so good.

UofM2010 says:

September 16th, 2008 at 8:56 pm

What is Rand doing posting so late at night?

StraightCashHomey says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Better now. I am glad that I didn’t walk away from this game when I wanted to. This is quite the comeback, should it hold up.

Stu says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:34 pm

On a positive note, had Sizemore’s HR not hit the foul pole, it would have probably killed somebody.

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Is it a bullpen?
Or sadomasochism?
This team is painful

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

My office TV
Is going to be destroyed
If the Twins blow this

StraightCashHomey says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:52 pm

Eddie Guardado,
You put the G, u and a
Into fresh guano.

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

The Vikings and Twins
Make September possibly
The worst month ever

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:01 pm

In the tenth inning
This stupid four hour game
Won’t let me go home

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

Jose Mijares
You had better throw some strikes
Gardenhire pleads

ramon says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

I leave the country for two weeks and the Vikes, Twins and the American economy go into the crapper.

When I turned on the tv Sunday morning I knew the bull didn’t have a chance. But at least it got one of those guys good in the groin before going down. C’mon Vikes!!

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

And their playoff hopes
Live to see another day
Eleventh inning

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

September call-ups
Will make sure this stupid game
Stays on life support

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

Nick Punto is on!
If he scores the winning run
Haters can suck it

StraightCashHomey says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pm

Punto’s best skill,
according to Gardenhire:
Getting after it.

StraightCashHomey says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

^ I have trouble counting to 5.

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:22 pm

If they win: relief
But I’ll continue to care
If they lose: relief?

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:29 pm

The hope is dimming
Joe Nathan is struggling
Can the Wild win?

Rocket says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

Haiku takes patience
It also takes precision
I hate this [redacted] [redacted] team and every [redacted] [redacted] [redacted] who does or ever will play for them and all of their [redacted] [redacted] relatives!

StraightCashHomey says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:35 pm

Barack Obama
Says nothing’s false about hope.
He’s not a Twins fan.

Michael Rand says:

September 16th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

glad to see obsessively checking the score every five minutes while enjoying “burn after reading” paid off. Nothing like losing twice in the same game.

Dave MN says:

September 17th, 2008 at 6:44 am

Rick Reilly just said “He’s gone deep more than Jacques Cousteau”

I don’t know that there has been a day recently that I’ve wanted to punch someone more…

Dave MN says:

September 17th, 2008 at 6:45 am

^^^Just trying not to talk about the disaster last night.

fasolamatt says:

September 17th, 2008 at 7:15 am

I dunno, I kind of enjoyed it. Twins fans can take solace in that there is a bullpen that is worse than theirs.