I’m worried … and it feels great
Posted on August 21st, 2008 – 9:10 AMBy Howard
Yeah, I’m worried about this road trip — especially starting off with four games against the Angels. I don’t like any of the pitching matchups but I do like that the Angels are 15 1/2 games in front of their division with 37 to play. I don’t like the state of our bullpen but the reports out of the West are that the Angels bullpen has been fraying a bit too. I am concerned about whether Alexi Casilla is really at 100 percent or whether there’s a setback waiting to happen at the pace of the major league game but I expect that Mike Scioscia is managing with an eye to the postseason and that could help the Twins.
I worry … and I’m excited about having this to worry about.
And that’s what is great about where we are right now. Through all the concerns and things about the Twins that make me a little crazy, I am very well aware that we are watching something that nobody expected would unfold this way. No Johan, no Torii, no problem. Well, yes, there are problems. But the White Sox have ‘em too. A bullpen that’s relying on a couple of ex-Royals in set-up roles; Paul Konerko and Jim Thome underperforming, Ozzie being Ozzie.
You can not deny that the 2008 Twins are taking us on an incredible ride and, for all the steps back, the season has been marked by continuous improvement. The four thumpings in Chicago back in June, the horrid performances in Boston and New York, the stunning setbacks in Seattle earlier this month. None of them caused a continuing tumble downhill.
In a 14-game road trip, there are likely to be some bleak moments, but the Twins have shown me that a game or two of bad won’t cascade into a week or two of bad.
The one thing that still gnaws at me is that last road trip. It feels a little silly to say the Twins should have gone 6-0 at Seattle and Kansas City. But they went 3-3 and threw away the three losses. If they’d won those games, we would be hitting the road with a two-game cushion instead of a one-game deficit. Of course, if the White Sox relievers hadn’t given up three homers in the last two innings at Oakland last Friday, we’d be looking at a two-game deficit.
These next three dozen games will determine whether there will be October baseball in Minnesota. If it happens, I’ll feel like I did yesterday when I found $20 in the pocket of some pants that hadn’t been worn for a while. It is a good feeling to be in the smaller set of American League teams (six by my count, if I include the Yankees) that are still playing to keep playing.
Keep expectations modest and hopes high. It’s the best way to watch.
Oh, yeah, one more thing. Someone suggested in the last set of comments that I felt sorry for Oakland’s Sean Gallagher because of watching games with Ms. Baseball. Ain’t the case. If you’ve ever been close to the game, it’s easy to feel bad for someone who gets into a situation that mushrooms out of his control. To me, that’s what happened to Gallagher the other night.
And, as for Ms. Baseball, she is a stone-cold assassin of a fan. One example: She thinks Grady Sizemore is, how do you say, pleasing to look at. But when Sizemore strikes out (and there are no innocent ears within hearing distance) she’s the one you hear calling out, “Sit down, b—h,” as Sizemore returns to the dugout.
Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like that?
other people are here too
107 Responses to "I’m worried … and it feels great"
Another great column from Howard.
Par for the course.
You didn’t even cite the biggest reason to worry…have you seen what the White Sox are up to, lately?
But I’m all positive from here on out…it makes conversation much more enjoyable, I’ve found….
Howard…no need to worry, check it out:
Span is holding the lineup together at the top!
Nicky is getting after it!
Mauer is the greatest of all time!
Morneau is the best all around hitter in our division (nevermind Carlos Quentin, either)
Kubel’s series against Seattle will finally stop opposing pitchers from walking Morneau!
Three Run Jack is about to pour some more shots of Jack.
Still have the Houston boys–all about the veterans, baby!
Harris is a doubles machine…he should be in a Doublemint commercial!
Go-go is the best No. 9 hitter in baseball….a huge upgrade from 2007
Casilla is back!
Gardy makes all the right moves!
It’s all good, Howard…no need to worry.
People make it sound like there’s cryptonite on the road or something…we can get it done, I’m telling you!!!!! 11-3 on this trip!!!!
Jason, you forgot to mention that our bullpen is mowin’ ‘em down.
“But the White Sox have ‘em too. A bullpen that’s relying on a couple of ex-Royals in set-up roles; Paul Konerko and Jim Thome underperforming, Ozzie being Ozzie.”
With all due respect, I would trade our bullpen for the White Sox bullpen in a nano-second. (IF we got to keep our respective closers, of course–although theirs isn’t bad)
But no need to worry my friend, the worst is behind us…it’s all good from here on out!!!!! Are they taking deposits for playoff tickets yet?
I really think in Sep. the Twins should go veteran on their lineup too…it’s the best plan to play experienced players when you need wins the most in clutch situations…so I propose:
Span
Punto
Mauer
Morneau
Kubel
D Young
Lamb
Everett
Go-go
Might even have Red Dog DH for Young or Kubel, if necessary…
Baker has to go big tonight and give the bullpen more rest. If he’s 5 and out tonight, it will be a very long trip. Twins have hit Lackey better than most teams, which is good. Nervous about Perk vs. Sanders, but I think Slowey gets a win and Blackburn has a chance. We have to be happy with a split, I’d be happy if they win one and all starters go 6+.
the white sox have an ex-royal in the outfield, too. Maybe the royals are the royals because so many guys thatshould be currant royals are instead ex-royals. lots of good ex royals floating around both leagues.
“Jim Thome underperforming”
Except he does have 10 HR since the All-Star break…
no worries though….it’s all about Twins from here on out…schedule favors us, baby!
“Ozzie being Ozzie”
417-357 (.539) with a World Championship
This Jason stuff is what I find annoying about blog comments. Just had to say that. Like make your point and go. Don’t pee in the punch bowl.
Reader….c’mon..it was a bit. Settle down.
I know, I know…everyone hates me…I don’t feel a lot of love…
It’s cool, though; I’m feeling really positive…I think the fact that the Angels had to fly in from 3,000 miles away last night is going to help us out tonight!
I personally don’t see another Twins loss on the schedule. It’s all wins from here on out!
though i think Jason is being facetious, he is correct on one point. Long road trip not withstanding, the schedule does favor the Twins. With the exception of the LAAOAAAOA (Angels) the twins play lousy teams on their trip, while I believe the white sox have a tough schedule most of the rest of the way.
All I know is if I get circled by Bert during the next homestand, I won’t even care if we miss the playoffs…
Anyone have ideas for a catchy sign?
Schedule totally favors us…we play what, Detroit, KC, Cleveland…all at home…plus the three remaining games with the Whities are at home….
If we can roll through the inept AL West (even on the road), we should be in awesome shape.
How about “Square me Bert”. I don’t think that’s ever been done before. Or “Ernie and Bert”. Those are so original, you better use those.
How much fire do the Angels have to play these games, with 15.5 games up? Do you think that they will hustle for that extra out risking injury?
I have a good feeling about the Angels series:
The Angels (despite the names of their hitters) are a much better pitching club than hitting and their record is what it is because of their pitching (and playing in the least competitive division in the majors). The Twins have scored 54 more runs than the Angels this year. The Angel park is a launchpad and their team ERA is half a point higher at home vs. the road…
Let’s see what happens…
I do actually have one piece of criticism though…
What’s up with fans booing Three Run Jack yesterday at the game? I felt like that was uncalled for…
How about “Circle me Jerk”?
“Do you think that they will hustle for that extra out risking injury?”
For their sake, hopefully more than B.J. Upton did against them…
but you’re right…Angels are on cruise control…time to exorcise some 2002 Demons, baby!
The Angels have something to play for. They are playing for the best record in the AL which would give them Home Field Advantage througout the playoffs. For some reason nobody has brought this up.
I do agree that the Angels playing a night game 3,000 miles away is a big advantage for the Twins. They need to try to steal this first game of the series tonight.
“What’s up with fans booing Three Run Jack yesterday at the game? I felt like that was uncalled for…”
Twins fans want to boo players out of town, so they can fall short every year, and bitch about the cheap ownership, the cautious FO, the incompetent field staff and the no-talent players.
That would be difficult to do if the Twins were to win the WS or something foolish like that.
Howard- A key for the White Sox will be whether Linebrink comes back off the DL. He was pitching great for them in the set-up role. Even if he doesn’t, it would be hard to make the case that Breslow, Crain and Guerrier are better than Carrasco, Thornton and Dotel at this point in the season.
Even if the Twins won the WS you’d still hear complaining about Punto, Billy Smith, cheap Pohlad, NOGO, etc…it would never end. It’s one of those ever-present things that will always remain…like taxes.
You didn’t even cite the biggest reason to worry…have you seen what the White Sox are up to, lately?
You mean running up the score on the M’s? They may soon wish they had saved a few runs for the Rays, Birds and BoSox.
That first series at Safeco was a false start, but the Twins have learned how to sweep Seattle while maintaining the element of nail-biting drama that makes a pennant race so exciting.
No kidding, Plunkton…we should all stay positive and be happy with what we have…even if we don’t make the playoffs, we’re building for something huge when our new stadium opens in 2010!
Plunkton- You are correct–there would still be complaining. However, I was in Boston this summer. The cable sports pundits/bloggers/talk radio were all over the Red Sox–you would have thought the curse had never ended. I mean, Francona has won two WS titles, and the Sox, at that time, had the 3rd best record in baseball. The complaining in Boston made anything you read on these Strib blogs tame by comparison.
These entries just keep getting better! In my opinion the Twins have been the most fun team to cheer for over the last decade. Always the underdog, likable players, numorous bigtime individual accomplishments and awards, division championships…
It’s great to be a Minny fan
Whities are also 13-6 this month, Fran, if that means anything…
but, hopefully their manager will explode like a wind up doll on speed or something and they will hand over the division to us…
Something will happen…I think their clubhouse is about to explode…too many egos, right?
heck yeah, Ry…this has been one heck of a ride…like I said, I couldn’t have asked for more out of this season…playoffs would be a mere bonus at this point (especially if I get circled by Bert!).
“Circle Me Skirt” (Dressed up as a Buccaneer wearing a kilt)
Yeah, Howard. It is nice to care specifically, rather than generally, at this point in the season.
They absolutely have been a blast to cheer for, with the exception of last year. Mediocre teams aren’t fun to cheer for, unless it is an overachieving mediocre team. also, while the twins do have a great front office, as far as scouting young players, they really do need to stop signing washed up players, ala monroe, white, ortiz, batista, hernandez, and so on. Instead of this type of player, bring up some minor league kids, and gamble that they will produce. At least they would be an unknown commodity, rather than a player that everyone knows is a broken down old heap. The young players are cheaper, as well.
Jason- love the enthusiasm this morning, sometimes you just get on a roll and can’t stop posting…I feel that sometimes too
HAve to take this season for what its worth - a good ole fashioned pennant race right down to the wire (hopefully) whith the White Sox. Honestly, whoever advances really has little if any chance against the Angles or the Red Sox, maybe Tampa. So, you just have to enjoy the entertainment value of Twins vs. Sox this year. Its still really fun to watch, but you have to set expectations accordingly.
I think ‘09 and ‘10 could have more upside for our team as I see the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Tigers all aging rather dramatically. Yes, they will beef back up through free agency over time, but ‘09 and ‘10 might be our window…
Whities are also 13-6 this month, Fran, if that means anything…
Meh. Twins are 12-6. The losses were before USAFChief flat-out ordered the bullpen to cease sucking and I demanded the starters go just a little deeper into games, and they all complied.*
*Liriano only going five yesterday was part of the plan. You cannot demonstrate that the bullpen has received the “stop sucking” memo until you give them a few innings to not suck in. I mean, in which not to suck. Damn prepositions.
Was anyone else watching the Rays/LAA game last night hoping for about a 15 inning marathon.One that would not only get the Angels into LA about 9am this morning,but would also burn out their pen for about a week? At any rate, The Twins are catching the Halo’s at the right time me thinks(hopes).
All season long I have tried to temper my expectations.But if the Twins can somehow get through this roadie with a winning record, I actually think they will win the division.
But no matter what happens this has been a remarkable season.I personally put the Twins at about 80 wins this this season.To be where they are with the off season loses and mid season re- tranformations is quite a story.The only thing that could make it better would be a Twins V Rays A.L. Championship series.The baseball gods would love that!
Thank you for defending my fan-dom, Howard.
Did Bert teach Ms. Baseball to swear like that??
I think it would be a very memorable playoffs series if the Twins and WhiteSox both made it to the postseason and had to battle it out…what an exciting series that would be
Ms. Baseball,
Howard is right,any woman who says “sit down, B***H” after an opposing player K’s, IS HOT!! (no offense Howard!)
‘
The baseball gods would puke all over themselves if the rays got to the world series with those awful uniforms, and with their average attendance of about 16,000 a game. Awful unis andd lousy attendance aside, props to the rays players, who have got after it and battled their tails off.
Fry Dog,
“whoever advances really has little if any chance against the Angles or the Red Sox, maybe Tampa.”
Not true.
Short series are won by the less-talented team ALL THE TIME.
Cardinals, Marlins, 87Twins.
There is no such thing as “little if any” chance in a short series.
Circle Me Bert, swear?
He would never do such a thing….would he?
“We have to do this *&^%%&( thing over because I just #$^$*(&# this up.”
Joe Torre, in his Presser yesterday, used the expression “he battledd his tail off”. And here I thought it was exclusively a Gardy thing.
Were the Twins to make the playoffs, who would be your 4 starting pitchers, and who starts game 1?
YGTBKM,
Torre also says other things occasionally.
Gardy is a little less creative.
So is it safe to say that Bass will never be a “Pirahna”? Sorry..couldn’t resist.
YGTBKM,
“Were the Twins to make the playoffs, who would be your 4 starting pitchers, and who starts game 1?’
The playoffs start so soon after the final game that the Twins may have to stay nearly in rotation for game 1.
As for which 4?
I think Perkins goes to the pen.
very Punny very Punny Plunkton
Sane, true lesser teams can sneak thru sometimes (even like the ‘87 Twins). But the power teams I mentioned own our club this year - especially the away games. We could get lucky, but I’m not banking on it. Still think the Angels or Red Sox will advance from the A.L.
sane
don’t teams usually jigger their rotation around a few weeks ahead of time, by skipping guys on off days and maybe giving a start to a sept. call up, to get their rotation lined up how they want it in the playoffs?
You’re right, Plunkton. But he could be a crappie, right?
The pirahnas of old would eat bass alive.
Yes, he will be a Crappie flopping around the minor leagues.
I imagine that Perkins seems like the logical choice to go to the pen in the playoffs. But think it has to play out yet. If Baker continues to be unable to fix his mechanics during the game for the remainder of the season I’m not sure he would be a shoo-in.
If the schedule goes like last year for the Red Sox with so many off days you may only need three pitchers. Who then is the most likely?
Liriano would be a given, I would imagine, but the way this staff is it may be a matter of who the hot hands are at the end of Sept.
There’s a lot of script yet to write and one chapter starts tonight, IMO. Baker needs to get back to his prime and take his place at or near the top of the rotation. Get those mechanics taken care of for the game, Scott. I’m happy that you are a bullpen god, but we need you, man.
the rotation can be adjusted, esp. if the play off opponent is weak against different types of pitchers. The problem is getting there. If it is a race until the last games or if you don’t know who your opponent might be, it’s hard to adjust your rotation.
I think Howard’s post is suggesting that “crappie” be pronounced “crappy”
YGTBKM - We wouldn’t want to do that if we need the wins to make the playoffs. Reordering the rotation for the playoffs doesn’t help us if we don’t make the playoffs.
I am certain that Bass will flounder in the minors as well
I think I would want perkins in the rotation in the playoffs. He’s got a meanness to him, and he can be pretty lights out, even against good teams. Also, slowey seems pretty unflappable most of the time. Liriano is a given, and starts game 1 if i’m in charge. Baker in the 4 spot if he gets his sh*t together. Blackburn in the pen.
When Bass resurfaces, I’m sure he will make a splash.
Baker - 1
Perkins - 2
Slowey - 3
Liriano - 4
Blackburn- pen
2 lefties, 2 righties…Blackburn has experience in the pen and hasn’t brought his best stuff lately
situationer
I like your 4, and i like the lefty righty swapping, but i would exactly reverse the order.
I feel it could go either way too…you think liriano has enough to be 1?
“Circle me skirt” that’s funny!
Depends, who they are playing… If they are playing Tampa who doesn’t hit lefties, it might make sense to have Perkins in the rotation. If they play anyone else, it doesn’t (unless someone gets hurt). You put your best 4 pitchers in that order and mayber break up righty-lefty. Based on that, an ideal playoff rotation (at this point, because a lot will change by October - including not making it):
1. Slowey
2. Liriano
3. Baker
4. Blackburn
The angels will be a great test for our rotation…lets see how they fare of this next series, then we should revisit this question
Something that has been overlooked from yesterday’s game is the following:
With yesterday’s win by Liriano, every Twins’ starting pitcher has a winning record.
Do you know when was the last time in the Twins’ franchise that every starting pitcher ended with a winning record?
This is great! We do have a legit shot at making the post-season! Now we must just win with some consistancey on the road. For the next 14 days we’ll see if any of these so called new leaders of the franchise really deserve that title. Will the M&M boys carry us on the road? Will the young starters step up? Will Casilla being back energise gogo and he’ll sigle handedly take over and win us a couple of games the way he did early in the season. Will span continue the unlikely hero role? Boy am I glad to be rooting for a team with this many young faces to look to for heroics. GO TWINKIES!!!
The subject changed, just when I was getting hooked on another punny line about Bass in the comment section of Sinker’s blog.
I think Baker’s got a great game in him tonight.
YGTBKM,
“don’t teams usually jigger their rotation around a few weeks ahead of time, by skipping guys on off days and maybe giving a start to a sept. call up, to get their rotation lined up how they want it in the playoffs?”
That would be teams with an 8-game-lead and 7 games to go. I certainly wish that could be the Twins, but…..
“Did Bert teach Ms. Baseball to swear like that??”
I’m thinking it was more likely Batgirl.
“Sane, true lesser teams can sneak thru sometimes (even like the ‘87 Twins). But the power teams I mentioned own our club this year - especially the away games. We could get lucky, but I’m not banking on it. Still think the Angels or Red Sox will advance from the A.L.”
I dunno, Frydog… things keep going the way they’re going and I’m not sure the Red Sox will even be IN the playoffs, never mind the World Series. The Rays are not slowing down and The East Coast Bitch Sox have a might thin lead for the wild card.
I share Howard’s concern regarding Casilla at 100%. But I get the feeling that’s part of the reason Bass was moved to make room vs. Everett.
are we done carping yet?
I hope Casilla doesn’t immediately take Punto’s spot in the order…you have to stick with the hot hand, right?
Jason,
“I hope Casilla doesn’t immediately take Punto’s spot in the order…you have to stick with the hot hand, right?”
From your mouth to Gardy’s….(pick an anatomical part)
LOL- I realize you are being facetious and you make a good point.
No, I’m being serious sane…
If you combine how hot Punto’s been with the fact that the Angels had to fly 3,000 miles back home after last night’s game, I think we’ll be in good shape tonight if we stick with the veterans.
I think this road trip makes or breaks the Twins. If they fold under the pressure of having to win, then they aren’t ready for the post season.
I just can’t despise the White Sox at this point. They were not supposed to be in a pennant race, yet, here they are with the Twins. I’d really like to see the Twins win the pennant when playing the White Sox at the Dome. It would be great.
I fully expect that Punto will still be in the lineup tonight. However, he will hit 8th or 9th - depending on if Gomez is playing or not.
Jason,
I can go along with Punto in the 2-hole until Casilla starts to out-perform him.
How quickly do you think Gardy will adjust the batting order when/if that happens?
As quickly as he moved Gomez to the 9-hole?
Not happy with Gardy’s reflexes.
Okay, so if you go Punto batting second….and you keep Casilla on the bench…against a righty, do you think you go Lamb at 3B batting 7th and Everett at SS batting 8th?
I don’t think it would be smart to wear down Buscher in his first full season in the Bigs.
Plus, this way, with Buscher and Harris, you have fresh legs coming off the bench…
I know everyone’s concerned about the bullpen. But if my calculations are correct, there are 4 RPs in that pen with the following lines for the month of August:
7.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP
9.2 IP, 2.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP
8.0 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP
Those are the lines for the four current relievers not named Nathan or Guerrier.
Could it be better? Sure. But if those four guys can duplicate those lines over the course of this road trip, the Twins should win a fair number of games.
Guerrier’s been asked to pitch so many innings…he was solid his last time out…all he needs is a couple days off and things will swing back, hopefully.
I think the fact that you could make a case that any one of the Twins’ five starters is #1 says a lot about the depth of their rotation. I’d take our #4 & #5 (whoever they may be) against ANYONE’s #4 & #5.
JimCrikket,
could be, but there is one caveat: here is the road-home ERA differential for those pitchers (season numbers), in your order
Reyes: +4.31
Boof: +2.48
Breslow: +2.05
Crain: +2.03
I just hope it happens, but I am not betting the farm…
Four games at Oakland should help those road splits some. Bad team, huge foul territory.
I guess I was just surprised Reyes and Bonser, in particular, had pitched that well this month. Crain is Crain. I knew Breslow had been doing well.
I’m actually a little bummed today….15 days of no T.C. Bear and no Dodge Ball?
Oh well, a Twins win tonight will brighten me up!
FIRE GARDY & VAVRA: “Did Bert teach Ms. Baseball to swear like that??”
No, Batgirl did.
Good to hear from Ms. Baseball today, that rocks!
Ah HAH! I knew it!
“JimCrikket says:
August 21st, 2008 at 11:48 am
“Did Bert teach Ms. Baseball to swear like that??”
I’m thinking it was more likely Batgirl.”
LOL Crikket nice channeling Ms Baseball via the Lego Ms. Cleo
I can despise the White Sox for three reasons.
1. They are competing against the Twins.
2. A.J., the biggest d-bag in pro sports today. He’s just a smug a-hole, begging to be hated.
3. Ozzie Guillen, the 2nd biggest d-bag in pro sports today. See description for A.J.
Ozzie Guillen is not a d-bag, okay.
Ozzie Guillen knows baseball and wants to win. That’s all he cares about. He understands how the game is played and demands that his players go out and play it the way he did, no matter what the score, no matter what the situation.
As for A.J., I personally think both Gardy and Guillen have been great for that guy. A.J. went to San Fran and joked around, collected his paycheck, and didn’t do much…
Then he went to Chicago, where Guillen sets the example, and A.J. becomes a hard worker, takes better at-bats, and now finds himself anchoring a first place team. This after he won a World Championship in 2005.
Look, you might not like A.J.’s persona, you might not like Ozzie’s personality…but I’m telling you, baseball is not about making friends…baseball is about working hard and not quitting until you win. Ozzie Guillen personifies that and behind all the insane quotes and tirades is a guy who is real and really gets it. Ozzie’s not there to collect a paycheck, he’s there to win.
Jason,
I heard the Dodge Ball truck is gonna make an appearance at your golf league — along with TC Bear.
Howard,
Awesome! I knew they would have something special for the last week of the year! Man I hope he brings that T-shirt gun along…I’ve always wondered if you could drive a par 4 with one of those things.
maybe we’ll be trying to land a ball in the bed of the truck from 60 yards out or something for a trip to Spring Training….I’ve heard it’s not as easy as it looks, though.
Jason
I don’t dispute a thing you said about AJ and Ozzie knowing the game and wanting to win. However, their abrasive personalities and smugness make them the d-bags that all other d-bags aspire to be.
Hey! Someone is finally deleteing Herb/teddy/olevio/insert name here’s posts!
well, here’s the thing though, kidding…
sometimes you have to be abrasive to win…not always, but sometimes…sometimes abrasiveness is what it takes…the White Sox didn’t win in 2005 by being nice…they won because A.J. was smug and proved it with his little stunt in Anaheim that ultimately cost the Angels the critical game in that series.
That’s a move I venture to guess Joe Mauer wouldn’t have made (and I love Joe Mauer, remember…I love the Twins, Twins are going all the way…the road trip’s going to be a lot of fun, etc.)
So that’s the point…if you want nice guys, maybe Ozzie and A.J. aren’t your guys (although I would submit that at the very least those two are honest, which, to me, is more imporant than being nice when it comes to pro athletes). If you want winners, I think they would fit your team.
And frankly, I think they do show a certain amount of class…and it goes unnoticed. When Ozzie praises the Twins he’s being classy. When A.J. openly admits to failure when he fails, I think that shows a certain amount of class.
That being said, are they going to take the diamond and say “hi Mr. umpire, can I get that for you” or “hello Mr. opponent, I wish you the best of luck”…heck no…they want to win. I admire that to a certain extent.
I’ve thought for a month now that the Twins will slowly, but surely, pull away from the White Sox and win the division by 5 to 10 games. I still believe it.
As for a playoff rotation, Liriano has to go first!
Then there’s Jason. Here’s the clincher for getting circled by Bert: “Circle me Bert, and I’ll stop posting!”
[…] Originally published by A Fan’s View […]
Jason, I’m not sure Ozzie’s praise of the Twins is him being “classy” so much as he’s trying to motivate his team. Take a glance at some of the Sox blogs and you see fans bitching about Ozzie’s praise of the Twins and the way they “do things right.” Personally, I think he’s trying to irritate his players the same way… making them pissed enough to focus on “proving” to Ozzie just how “right” they can do things when they play the Twins.
That said, I agree with you that a team could do much worse than having Ozzie as a manager and AJ as a player. Having a couple people around who have a bit of an “attitude” (as long as its channeled properly) is not a bad thing. Redmond and Perkins might be the closest the Twins have to that kind of personality. Sometimes, you really don’t want a team full of nice guys.
Everyone talks about the division race, but the Twins have a backup plan if the White Sox stay on top. They are only a half game out of the Wild Card race. And since the White Sox still have a series left with the Red Sox, at least one of those teams will have to lose some games pretty soon. The Twins have a good shot!
