Time to shake things up
Posted on August 27th, 2008 – 8:58 AMBy Howard
Ever get tired of watching baseball day after day after day? I mean, really focusing on what’s happening on the field? Last night was one of those games for me. I had the Twins on the inset box for a chunk of the game (Unfortunately, three runs in the tiny box counts the same as two on the big screen.) and decided that watching closely was a lose-lose proposition. Either they’d beat the Mariners (which they should have done) or they’d lose and I’d be grumpier than sports should make me be. So I watched a little Hillary and checked a little Facebook and prepared a little for my class that starts week after next.
And, this morning, instead of listening to XM’s Baseball This Morning, I let the alarm clock awaken me to the Good Neighbor and my colleague Sid. (I don’t think I’ll let that happen tomorrow.)
We all get a bit burned out with things, no matter how much we’re fond of them or how much we’ve mastered them. We all have a day or two at work where we don’t give 110 percent and, if we’re fortunate, we’re good enough to get by. That’s kind of what the Twins are looking like to me right now. Good enough to wear the uniforms, not good enough to be playing in October. (Losing 4 of 5 in Seattle?) The second “good enough” can be reversed.
The Twins are two games behind with 30 to play. And, yes, after last night, it may feel to you like they’re 12 out with 20 to play. It’s time to wake up from this dead-butt slumber.
I think it’s time for a shake-up day. Morneau is playing like a guy who flat out needs a day off. He hasn’t had one yet this season. Gomez is looking way too shaky at thew plate and in the field. Casilla is taking too many impatient hacks. Redmond should get a day behind the plate.
And the Mariners are starting Ryan Fierabend. I believe I could beat Ryan Fierabend with this lineup: Jason, cf; T, ss; Rotoblinders, 1b; Sane, dh; FIRE, 3b; gobbledygookguy, rf; JimCrikket, lf; Punto, 2b (for veteran leadership, you know); BC of ND; c. And pitching today is Plunkton, who isn’t afraid to work the inner half of the plate at the major-league level. (For first-time visitors, go back through the comments and you’ll quickly feel like you know the guys.)
That being said, here’s my shake-up lineup suggestion for this afternoon in Seattle: Span, cf; Everett, ss; Young, lf; Mauer, dh; Ruiz, 1b; Kubel, rf; Redmond, c; Harris, 3b; Punto, 2b. Perkins, p.
Get Morneau an entire day off and get a couple of guys to watch the action from the bench, and I think everyone’s better off for the pull ahead. Guys can get back to 110 percent, or even 100, while the Twins field a lineup that should handle the Mariners.
Sometimes you need to shake things up, even when it seems like you shouldn’t have to.
other people are here too
150 Responses to "Time to shake things up"
Howard my arm is a bit erratic lately and lacks strength but I promise to “get after it” “grind it out” “battle my tail off” !
” I let the alarm clock awaken me to the Good Neighbor and my colleague Sid. (I don’t think I’ll let that happen tomorrow.)”
LOL Howard if I would have been driving and heard that line I may have swerved into the ditch!!
Howard, thank you for trusting me with the ball today. I’ll be a gamer, pitch inside, brush Beltre off the plate with some high cheese, and get after it. And, if Beltre does happen to hit one out of the park I’ll just take matters into my own hands and live up to my name. WE’RE COMMINNN!!!!!!
I’ll gladly assume the role of set-up man.
Seriously, though, another loss like this might be reason for a major change. How about Morneau leading off, Gomez, Punto, Mauer, Span, Young, Everett, Buscher, Casilla?
Just for the heck of it?
drunken sailors after today’s game - DEAD
A’S - DEAD
Jays - DEAD
WHITE SOX - DEAD
WE WILL BUILD THIS DREAM TOGETHER!!
WE’RE COMMINNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T-Fix,
I had you penned in as my bench coach. You OK with that? I may need you to handle the media after the game because I heard that Gleeman and Seth are covering it, and I’m not too good at explaining myself.
FIRE,
Save some of that energy for game time, pal.
Some shake up there, I notice you still have Punto in the lineup…
OK Howard, so the Twins lose 4 straight and suddenly you decide now might be a good time to watch something else…hmmmm? Curious on the timing there…plus, I thought we weren’t allowed to get political on the Sinker Swim blog 
Oh it’s okay, I’m sure you’ll tune in for McCain and Romney next week, too.
Yeah, yeah, we’ve lost four in a row and we’re now 3-3 against one of the worst teams in baseball….but, as always, let’s look at the POSITIVES!!!!
a 10-4 road trip is still a possibility!!!!!
What was Kubel doing out of the lineup last night? Seriously, did Gardy not get the memo on just how much he crushes Seattle pitching? I mean, the guy was on fire just over a week ago against the M’s…he comes in and gets a pinch hit single…heck yeah, bring back Kubel this afternoon!!!!
You have to love Denard Span at the top of this lineup. I mean, nevermind the fact that he is a perfect gentlemen by all accounts, he knows how to take walks, can go the other way with the ball, and basically gives you a good at-bat everytime. Span is a testament to how great the Twins’ organization has become!
Justin Morneau does not need a day off, Howard! He continues to play everyday and continues to come up with extra base hits…I myself was shocked that he only got one hit yesterday and I think that only means he’s due to come up with three today!!! Plus, you can’t sit Morneau when he’s 100 miles from Canada!
Randy Ruiz…love to see the power, baby! Too bad Scott Baker felt the need to promptly give the lead right back to the M’s…but hey, Bake pitched fairly well overall last night.
You want a shakeup–how’s this for a shakeup–bring Everyday Eddie into the game whenever things get tight (whether it be the 2nd inning, 5th inning, or 8th inning). The guy absolutely will get you outs when you need them. No deer in headlights for Eddie G!!!!
Shakeup idea No. 2–let Bert handle the play-by-play.
Shakeup idea No. 3–bench Brendan Harris and stick Punto in the lineup, just to see what happens.
Finally, Red Dog will put the team on his back today–just you watch (yes, Howard, that means you–don’t be tuning in to Oprah or All Things Considered this afternoon–you have to do your duty and watch Twins baseball!!!!!)
I can feel the Whities cracking…this is our shot, Twins Nation!
Can someone show me how to throw an effective spit-ball?
Howard who are our 1st and 3rd base coaches?
I feel as my duty in the 3 hole, I will go out and hit singles at a high average, with the occasional homer to tease the fans. (I didn’t get struck down yesterday for making fun of Mauer, so I feel that’s a safe thing to do.)
I agree though, Morneau definately needs a day off. He was taking some awful cuts last night. The DP run was unfortunate, as I felt he had a chance to take control of the game.
Another unfortunate loss for Baker too. Probably the only positive I can take away from this game is that I’m very comfortable with Baker as a top of the rotation guy. He tried to come and be a stopper, but the bats just weren’t there.
ok we lose 4 games in a row and now we think we need such a change that Morneau needs to lead off?! i disagree with the “major” lineup change i think Bench Gomez and have a line up like this
1.Span CF, 2.Casilla 2b, 3.Redmond C, 4.Buscher 1b, 5.Kubel RF, 6.Young LF, 7.Everett ss, 8.Harris DH, 9. Punto 3b.. give buscher a shot at first give Justin a day off and upgrade your defense at 3rd with punto.. we need a win today regardless!
I humbly request that I be appointed the Getting After It coach. I have respected the game and battled my tail off to reach that status. If not that then I want to be the bullpen coach. I like doing nothing and eating/spitting sunflower seeds all day. Huh. Sounds like what I do now.
FIRE,
Tony Oliva at first and TK at third. They’re really interested in how you guys are gonna do. Bert’s gonna be the pitching coach, which means we won’t be keeping track of pitch count.
No pitch count? Poor Plunkton’s arm will fall off. What’s next? Four man rotation?
My theory? They’re all channeling Mike Lamb in his honor. Kinda like when they got all bent out of shape after the Luis Castillo trade last summmer.
BRING BACK MIKE LAMB!
By the way, I believe my career OBP in high school was .480 (this was through 8th grade, when I retired from baseball to play golf). I can handle lead-off, but a below average outfield arm…any chance I can switch positions with Punto (I promise I’ll get after it)
no Jason PUNTO is needed to solidify the infield and provide maximum “battle your tail off”
Lol. Finally a lineup we all could be happy with. I’ll be sure to re read the rule book twice before the game so i can pull an “AJ” and try to steal a win for us today.
I get just as upset as you Howard but my Mrs Baseball doesn’t watch the games with me she only checks the final scores to see what type of mood i’ll be in.
In one of the Notes sections in a Twins article, is said Gardy had Harris taking balls at first, so I think if Morneau ever gets a day off, Brendan might be over there.
One more thing for Plunkton. You can throw whatever you want because i only have two signs that you need to watch for. If i make a fist and point at the hitter that means put one in his ear and if i put my middle finger down it means your pissing me off and you had better throw strikes or i’m charging the mound.
well, I’ll try my best I guess…I’ll shoot for modest goals to start with….like trying to at least get a piece of leather on a ball that lands right by me or making some kind of contact at the plate…keep your fingers crossed.
As for the Shakeup in Seattle…
I seriously wouldn’t shake too much up…we know Red Dog will be in there at the No. 3 spot (and that’s a good thing), probably can expect Ruiz back in the lineup…so then it’s a matter of either going with Young or Kubel in left (I don’t see them yanking Span–he has to learn to play everyday)….I’d go Kubel; he’s been getting after it–I know his last five hits have all been singles and his avg. against lefties isn’t good, but at some point you have to play your second best HR hitter, right? Give him a shot, Gardy.
Heck, maybe the move is to put Span in center (replacing me, of course–Thank God), D Young in left and Kubel in right…it just might work!
Punto, of course, plays….but so does Harris (hope he’ll be able to handle two in a row)…and you may even have Morny DH in this contest….
SO….drum roll please….Gardy’s Seattle Shakeup:
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Red Dog C
Morny DH
Ruiz 1B
Young LF
Kubel RF
Harris 3B
Punto SS
Oh great BC…no fastball, no slider, no changeup?????
Plunkton’s going to have us running in circles out there!
I liked this line. Very true.
“We all get a bit burned out with things, no matter how much we’re fond of them or how much we’ve mastered them. We all have a day or two at work where we don’t give 110 percent and, if we’re fortunate, we’re good enough to get by.”
if you need an opening act today…Cubs at Pirates at 11:35…Dougie baseball was 2-for-5 with a triple and 2 RBI last night in an otherwise embarrassing loss for the Buccos (walked in tying and go-ahead runs to start a 7-run 8th for the Cubs)…Cubs are looking unbeatable at the moment.
“Oh great BC…no fastball, no slider, no changeup?????
Plunkton’s going to have us running in circles out there!”
That’s fine with me as long as FIRE throws better than Buscher. The second a ball gets through my legs though, I expect a live chicken to be available to chop the head off, thus ending the curse of my glove.
they should have gotten Metcalf from the rangers when they got Eddie. His bat and glove is what they need at 3rd and the lefties wouldn’t have success!!
Appreciate the vote of confidence Howard, but if you think Everett’s got a noodle for an arm over at SS…you may not want to look if a ball’s hit my way. 
However, I will more than happily lay down a sac bunt if Jason’s able to coax his way on base.
Shakeup? how about finally sending Gomez down to learn some basic fundamentals of hitting, and bringing up Pridie? There is no reason for Gomez to be up here other than stubbornness and PR at this point.
Pridie was named the best defensive OF in the league, I believe, so it’s not like I’m suggesting bringing up someone that can’t field, and he can hit.
Thanks, Howard, for the blog post. It brought a full-out laugh on a day that has started out with a continual drizzle thanks to the late Hurricane Fay, and sent me to major bummer-dom with the headline on the Star Trib sports page. The scary thing — I recognized almost all the subs in your commenter lineup. Go, Section 220! I’ll be tuning in this afternoon to see how we do. (I’ll be the one with the sign and the cup of beer in the right field bleachers.)
Jeez Howard, I’m on the bench again. Couldn’t I at least DH?
my arm is more accurate then Buscher but I have a noddle arm like Shannon Stewart though I have better range then a mailbox anchored in cement
“Oh great BC…no fastball, no slider, no changeup?????
Jason it’s my understanding that Plunkton has picked up the Eephus pitch from Livan and that’s all he wants to throw. Any other pitches Howard will have to call.
Hey, as a White Sox fan I think that Ozzie and Kenny have realized with experience that you have to have players rested (we are an old team, too) and have different lineups frequently to keep things fresh and keep opposing pitchers off guard. The Twins need to get some good, versatile players so that other players can get some rested. Of course, as a White Sox fan I hope you guys don’t!
btw, good move not having me anywhere near your lineup. I was in a batting cage at grandslam the other day. It brought back very bad memories of my youth and my “hitting” ability.
Average Joe, welcome to Brendan Harris’ world….we know you’re good enough, but it’s just the way it is, you know?
I have a vast array of 9 different pitches. BC, just give me any sign you want and I promise I’ll give you my best. Of course I don’t think you know all of my pitches but just put a sign down and I’ll guess what you mean. If you and I are off balance just imagine how the Mariner’s hitters will be!
I should add that now that we all know Howard’s on Facebook, there is a desperate need for a Section 220 group.
Maybe JA Adonde will join, he plugs his Facebook account daily on Around the Horn.
Average Joe, welcome to Brendan Harris’ world….we know you’re good enough, but it’s just the way it is, you know?
I bet if he looks around hard enough near the bench he’ll find that Voodoo doll that Everett and Punto have been using to keep themselves around.
Punkton the only pitch you need to throw is the “out” pitch
Hey….serious baseball topic for a moment…I thought about this last night…and not just because my guy Justin Morneau was in this situation…
Does anyone else not quite agree with the rule that you do not get an RBI if a guy scores when you hit into a DP? I mean, obviously I understand the rationale as far as a DP not being a productive at-bat…but when you break it down, neither is a regular groundout when a run scores…and games have certainly been won when runners score on GIDP…
So I guess I feel like it’s a tad inconsistent…GIDP, as bad as it is, is better than a strikeout if a run scores on the play…I actually think you should credit the hitter with an RBI in that spot, even though the at-bat wasn’t the best it could’ve been.
FIRE, an ‘out’ pitch is to get out of trouble or get the 3rd strike. Why would I want to throw an ‘out’ pitch any other time? It seems to defeat the purpose of it being an ‘out’ pitch. Just leave the pitching to me.
Speaking of Around the Horn, I notice Jay Mariotti came back from the Olympics to find the White Sox were in first place and then promptly resigned his post at the Chicago Sun Times…probably a good move for him…I scrolled through the comments on the Sun Times website regarding fan reaction….fans who were glad to see him leave had about 90 percent of the posts.
Punkton the only pitch you need to throw is the “out” pitch
Twins have plenty of out pitches. The only problem is its the pitch that’s going out…
No problem Plunkton just don’t allow any hit’s because i can’t throw anyone out if they want to steal and don’t expect any plays at the plate either because i will move out of the way like a matador.
I will buy a DQ Blizzard for anyone who outhits Punto in this game…
I feel the same way. I checked the score a few times last night, but didn’t want to aggravate myself and ruin the rest of my evening (it’s a little earlier here in New Mexico). They’re just in one of those stretches. You could see it coming in LA after Sunday’s loss. Then Nathan blows a save - and you can’t begrudge him that once in a while. Now they’re pressing. It will turn.
Plunkton my throws from 3rd are so slow and lollipop-like the ball may land on your head! INCOMING!!
Plunkton my throws from 3rd are so slow and lollipop-like the ball may land on your head! INCOMING!!
I wonder how many MLB teams relay a throw from 3B to 1B through the pitcher.
That’d make highlights for sure.
Boy, it sounds like Howard needs to shake up HIS lineup. Noodle arms, lollipop-like, matadors…Not sure I even want to pitch today.
Not sure I even want to pitch today.
We may field like crap, but we’ll put runs on the board like crazy. I’ve been working my uppercut swing, so I’ll probably be able to duckfart a few for hits.
So just make sure nobody makes contact and we’ll do fine.
but remember we CAN GET AFTER IT!!
BATTLE OUR TAILS OFF!!
GRIND IT OUT!!
remember if the world runs out of love for us we still have each other…
WE ARE COMMMINNNNNN!!!!!!!!!
When I’m hitting the ball good I go the other way…
I feel a busy day at 1st. I’ll do my part to trip Ibanez when he is rounding first on a well hit double.
Plunkton, I could see your line looking like this:
7IP 5R 1ER 6H 2K - (6 errors)
Luckily though, in Livan fashion you get out of the first after the 5 runs and shut down the Mariners. Plus our stellar hitting would pull through and we’d get a 12-8 victory.
I can be a reliever. I’ve got a mean screwball. Or maybe i am a mean screwball. I don’t know.
Going the other way is getting after it to the max.
we haven’t heard from sane, gobble, or JimCrikket yet…I hope they make it to the ballpark.
A shake up is definitely in order. Watching the game last night out here in the sportsbook our Twins looked tight and too serious while Seattle was loose (yes they have nothing to lose) and having fun remembering it is indeed a GAME. What our guys need is a break something to loosen them up and unify them - they are on the left coast and off on Labor Day - Vegas?
if Bert is the pitching coach we don’t need any stinking relievers!!! pitch count? what’s that? the starting pitching starts and ends the game!!
go PLUNKTON!!!
Where are kay, patti, and nora? Can they throw like Ila Borders?
or Jennie Finch!!
I will do my part in mimmicking Mauer and shoot a few through the hole for a couple singles. My boxscore:
Jason 2/5 2SB 2B 2RBI
T 1/1 4BB 4R
Rotoblinders 2/5 2BI
sane 1/5 HR 2RBI
FIRE 3/5 HR 3RBI
Gobbledygookguy 1/5 1RBI
JimCrikket 2/5
Punto 0/4 4K
BC of ND 2/4 2RBI
T, as usual, shows discipline and patience and racks up a few walks. Jason rips one through the hole, but his love of doubles stops him from advancing to 3rd, so he walks into 2ND. Rotoblinders hits a few singles, power in the 3 hole is unneccesary for Twins Baseball. However, Sane and FIRE go back to back in the 5th, causing an allergic reaction in the state of Minnesota. Gobbledygook and Crikket get on base, only for Punto to strike out each time. BC does his best Gomez impression and swings hard and makes contact a few times.
I hope Howard allows me at least one smoke break and that there’s plenty of cold beer on ice for our post game celebration.
Post game?
If I’ve got noodle arms and dirt balls being thrown over to first, I plan on drinking between innings.
Um Howard if you really wanted to shake things up - you might want to toss in a female in the line up. I think you have a few female posters that follow your blog.
Apologies if I miscatergorized any of the persons in your line up as not female =)
Wonder Woman - yes THAT Wonder Woman
Roto with Plunkton throwing that NO HITTER nothing is coming your way except gentle breezes
FIRE GARDY & VAVRA!!! says:
August 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
or Jennie Finch!!
I’d be happier if they looked like jennie finch.
I plan on drinking between innings.
That would explain the two singles. I can’t imagine you’ll be in much of a state to take that big turn around 2nd.
Of course, a beligerent Roto is ejected from the game following his fifth AB after drunkenly stumbling out of the basepaths and being ruled out by 1B umpire Brian Runge. Thus failing to drive me in for an MLB record 5th time in the game.
Tensions flare momentarily, but Howard (subbing for Gardy who was tossed in the 1st when he came out to strangle Jason after he stopped short at 2B on an obvious triple) restores the peace temporarily by having bench coach “Tommy/Herb” perform another of his one-man shows.
Can I be “the closer”? Then I probably won’t have to pitch at all, since our “save” situations have been few and even fewer as of late…
BC
In the shakeup, maybe we could get jim leyland to manage, then there would be cold beer and heaters for all!
Mark, Roto has us scoring 12 runs today. But considering the D…we may need every one of those.
In other words, keep that arm warmed up.
I’ll be ready! Just need at least a 2 run lead, cause I may give up a solo shot to Beltre or Ibanez!
I would agree w/ Howard that Morneau is spent right now and needs a day. However, since Mauer will for sure be sitting today, I can’t see Morneau sitting as well, but perhaps he’ll DH and Ruiz will be at 1B (which could be scary if Bushcer is throwing balls from 3B)… yikes.
I do like doubles, I won’t argue that…but hey, I’m a Twins fan, do you think I like HRs or something?
Doubles leaders–Minnesota Twins
Morneau 35
Harris 26
Mauer 25
Gomez 18
Punto / Casilla 15
Kubel 14
With a double today, I will have my sights set on such prestigous doubles guys as Buscher (7) and Monroe (9) to keep me motivated.
If ya need a bench bat my size and body style is sort of close to Ruiz….
I would do this today:
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Redmond C
Morneau DH
Ruiz 1B
Kubel RF
Young LF
Harris 3B
Everett SS
Gomez, Punto, Buscher and Mauer on the bench for D or PH/PR in late innings.
Plus, give me a break guys…were there two outs in that inning? The last thing you want to do is make the third out at third base.
Almost precisely my lineup from above, MarkW, except I just had to keep Punto in there at short…wouldn’t want to break tradition.
good Shawn, cuz when I get tossed as T pointed out, we’ll need someone at first. Then you can handle all of the errant throws and 13 hoppers from Short and 3rd.
Howard, you might want to cross check the 220 lineup with Aaron Gleeman and make sure our VORP, WPA, Line Drive Index, and ESPN are up to par…
Jason, my bad, I must of missed that post while reading through… but yes, pretty much the same. Although I think you are right with Punto starting (more in line with what Gardy WILL do) rather than what WE feel he should do…
sorry getting treatment on my bad knee (from catching to many games) so i’ll be ready. actually played some rightfield (post bad knee) but i was a leadoff guy, poor mans span. can backup catch, arm is shot but can still throw as well as buscher.
hint, gardy a catcher can leadoff, at least until the knees go!
Mientkiewicz also has 19 doubles…but…every now and then…you have to deviate:
sorry guess you have to navigate around that link to find the highlight I’m referring to…same game…triple, 2RBI…I figured you knew where I was going there
Hey gobble i thought catchers could only bat third so why am i not hitting third Howard?
….and today Mientkiewicz promplty gets benched for a kid who’s hitting .162
Hey jason where are you getting that boxscore cuz i just looked on yahoo and they have LaRoche playing 1st and 3rd damn he must be good.
Never mind i forgot they had brothers playing on the same team now.
If punto was batting .162 he would still play every day. Mientkiewics must not be getting after tit.
Adam LaRoche at first…Andy LaRoche at third…
Andy LaRoche (a player who went from the Dodgers to the Pirates as part of the Manny deal) has not exactly been “getting after it” this year…
Just thought they might throw Dougie out there again after his solid game last night…but I can see why the Bucs want to get Andy as many at-bats as possible…
Are the LaRoche clowns twins, or just brothers?
Justin they are bothers although Andy might still be a clown Adam can hit.
[…] Originally published by A Fan’s View […]
Plus, give me a break guys…were there two outs in that inning?
It was leading off the first. But it probably wouldn’t have mattered, as Roto was forced at 1B as he stopped to take a shot of courage from his hip flask.
As far as my four walks are concerned, in retrospect I probably could’ve drilled a few of those out of the park, but I always figure good things come if I wait until the next pitch, so there’s no point in shaking things up.
My only hit came because the guy actually threw it at my bat.
Jason -
“Does anyone else not quite agree with the rule that you do not get an RBI if a guy scores when you hit into a DP? I mean, obviously I understand the rationale as far as a DP not being a productive at-bat…but when you break it down, neither is a regular groundout when a run scores…and games have certainly been won when runners score on GIDP…”
I think the rationale behind it is that if the defensive team wanted to, they could sacrifice the double play in order to get the out at home. So it’s almost like a fielder’s choice in that aspect. So they don’t want the batter to be ‘rewarded’ if the defensive team let the run score. Like defensive indifference on a steal in the 9th inning or something.
everyone seems to miss the reason for the skid. we lost livan our veteran presence and he has done great for the rockies turning their season around; 3 gms, 12 1/3 innings, 25 hits, 21 runs, 2.432 whip, 15,32 era. no wonder the twins are floundering!
a shot of courage and belligerence. I’m starting to think you might be one of my college drinking buddies.
LaRoche brothers not getting after it today yet… (combined 0-for-5)
Livan had 10 wins. he was a good pitcher, because win-loss record is the sole measuring stick for a good pitcher. [sarcasm]
a shot of courage and belligerence. I’m starting to think you might be one of my college drinking buddies.
From the sounds of things…I likely wouldn’t remember if I were.
I’m fine with LF, so long as Plunkton promises to make ‘em hit the ball right at me so I don’t have to do something like run toward the gap or foul line.
In fact… I think I’ll just sit in the bullpen while we’re at the plate unless it’s my turn to bat. No sense jogging all the way in to the dugout unnecessarily, right?
Dang, left off Howard’s starting lineup. 
Oh, he must want me as a closer. That makes sense. I’ll be ready in the 9th.
2 straight losses to the worst team in the AL?
At the end of the season, they count the number in the W column.
And the Twins don’t win outside the dome.
With or without Livan.
30 games left. 12 in the Dome, 18 on the road.
Good luck!
220ers need to stay with Howard’s blog during the game…will provide for some good smack talk between “the starting lineup”
Maybe if Howard is polite while presenting the lineups the umps will let him bring in sane to serve as a softball-esque fourth OF.
I should add that the fact sane doesn’t have to take the field today should tell you who Howard’s favorite is.
“Shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it…”
I see Gardy used my advice for the Seattle Shakeup
Obviously we know the 220 starting lineup is far superior. Maybe not defensively, but we are definately offensive.
Maybe not defensively
I dunno. If we can hurl balls half as well as we hurl barbs…
T
I agree Sane Is his favorite and he must think I’m the Yogi Berra of the blog that’s why I get to wear the tools of ignorance today. I think he’s right so just remember out there today “It ain’t over ’til it’s over”
Nah BC. He’s trusting you with the most important part of the game. If you call it poorly, this team doesn’t have a chance (even if we are as offensive as Roto suggests)
You’re right, Howard. I’ll remain the FO. No spare payroll $$$ laying around.
sane, you get a mid-season raise. The office needs to be cleaned and you have time because you’re only DHing.
Thanks in advance for the team effort.
How about a game with no Gomez, Crain, Punto or Bonser?
Priceless and a guaranteed Twins victory.
The “getting after it” starts in 7 min!
tails will be battled off to follow
I’m nervous i hope i don’t forget how many outs there are and walk into the dugout with the ball.
start off with a good call to get us all loose. Have plunkton throw one wild and plunk the mascot. At the very least you can scare the batter into thinking he’s wild. Hey, it worked in Bull Durham.
“ya starving, scummed-out wannabe!”
Oh…….I see.
You’re a Yankees type pirate!
Please check the last post on Howard’s previous blog. Twins will compete but not win the Division. Not with the blow-fart arm at 3B and with Kubel regularly (in platoon fashion) on the bench.
Crud, if I can’t make the starting lineup on this team, I demand to be traded. Put me on waivers. I’ll be a free agent. I have plenty of years in.
Dang, who put this screwy lineup together? Howard is worse than Gardy.
We need someone to hit in the 3 hole. Everyone knows Rotoblinders is a 2 hole guy. And, T hitting 2nd? Wow, just wow!
And yes I accept……but I was playing CF before any of you were born.
You coulda given me the news gently, Howard. Just a cold press release? Come on.
who here wanted Morneau to have the day off? Stand up and be counted lol!
by the way….was that Kubel or FIRE who ran out that grounder to avoid the DP?
the greatest baseball play ever…another double!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll admit, I thought Morneau needed a day off.
And dammit Jason, you got the comment in before me. Harris is a machine. He should start.
The Twins need a manager who can put the best lineup on the field everyday. They don’t need the uncertainty about who will play where, when, or why. They need a manager who can give the players the confidence and assurance that they will have a set position and be allowed to play the gane everyday. Gardenhire cannot do those things for the Twins because he is handicapped by his ego which makes him feel that he has to continuously manipulate and shuffle the lineup. He costs the Twins about 15 games per year through his obsessive uncertainty about the Twins lineup.
“bob” or whatever moniker you are going by today, just give up the trolling. You want to rile us up about Gardy, but 1. you are too late in the day, the blog usually dies down for awhile and 2. I’m guessing most of us have figured you out, especially based on the phony website you log under.
If you have a real argument or want to talk Twins, we’re all for it. There are a ton of Gardy doubters, one is fairly prominent here, but at least he puts together logical arguments. Enough of the trolling, join the discussion.
there’s also a number of us who are big Gardy supporters!
romer,
You’re my guy! I turned down three prospects for you from the (Milroy) Yankees.
KUBES!!!!!!!
Told you Gardy!
There’s my first double, 1 RBI!!!!!
Way to go, Span man!
2 RBI, my bad….
There’s the 2B and 2RBI’s my boxscore showed. Keep ‘em coming. As Joe Mauer in the weird Land ‘O Lakes commercial would say, “Pour it on”
Howard,
Until you grant my release, I am ok with being a Pinch runner today. Have you seen T run?
jose lopez and beltre are like the two halves of ibanez from the last safeco series.
Have you seen T run?
Hey now. I’m batting 2nd and playing SS. I got plenty of speed. In short controlled bursts.
If Roto can put the ball over the fence or find a gap, I won’t have to be all that fast.
Granted the blog of 8/27 is mostly humorous but….Howard, what is your take on the use of “closers”, “saves”, etc., in fact the whole modern usage of bullpens? To me the game just about got away today simply because Gardy refuses to use Nathan in any other inning but the 9th and usually only in a “save” situation. In other words try rack up that phony category for your “closer” and perhaps lose the game in the process. Today was clearly a case where Nathan should have been brought in in the eighth inning. Please address this issue and urge LaVelle and Joe to write about it also. The more input on this subject the better.
“You’re my guy! I turned down three prospects for you from the (Milroy) Yankees.”
But I WANTED TO GO TO MILROY. They got a chance to be state champs!
Yeah-yeah, I know…….baseball is a business, even blog fantasy baseball.
Sorry I missed commenting during the game… turns out there’s a Buffalo Wild Wings 3 blocks from our office here in Dallas… so I had to stop by after work and watch the last couple innings on the way back to the hotel.
Now… if the Orioles could just win a friggin game.
If Howard thinks that I am non-athletic enough to be stuck in the DH spot, I am definitely NOT his favorite.
Does Nicky DH for Gardy?
It’s okay, Jim Crikket….you had an O-fer anyway….
what a day of doubles…perfection (although we almost had to DFA Punto for getting picked off)
Well I’d say we held our own out there. Sorry T, but as the 3 hole hitter, I’m allergic to gap hitting. Either way, we made it happen. A doubles parade for Jason. Well done. DQ for all.
Jason, I’ve had a year’s worth of 0-fers, trust me… and it has little or nothing to do with baseball.
That’s it for me. I’ve had it with the disrespect I get. I’m jogging to 1st from now on until I play for a team that deserves me.
I really want to see how gobbledygookguy’s name will fit on the back of his uniform.
He will require tiny lettering, or he better get some heavy weight lifting workouts in at the gym.
Or leave the hanger in his jersey.
So were we going by position today or by batting order? Because as #2 hitter I went 1-4 with a steal.
But as SS: 2-3 with a walk. Though I was picked off and caught stealing.
Wait…wasn’t that the same play?
way to get after it today, men!
I really want to see how gobbledygookguy’s name will fit on the back of his uniform.
I’ll have plenty of room on mine he can borrow.
I’m gonna go ahead and say position. Only because Morneau did better than Red Dog. However the tackle in the 8th was pretty sweet.
Carlos G: You came off the bench late in the game and scored what turned into the winning run!
And sane, I was looking at Howard giving you the DH spot as him not making you go out on the field and embarras yourself.
T,
“And sane, I was looking at Howard giving you the DH spot as him not making you go out on the field and embarras yourself.”
Thanks for the encouragement!
That will definitely help my lack of self-confidence.
Thanks for the encouragement!
That will definitely help my lack of self-confidence.
Considering who Howard put in the field…I think you’ll appreciate it.
You’ve got my noodle arm at SS, Roto playing a drinking game at 1B, JC hoping the infield is deep enough to help him in LF, and FIRE was planning on relaying his throws from 3B to 1B through Plunkton on the mound.
While that defense may make the highlight reels…I don’t think the “Not Top 10″ would be something to be proud of.
T,
You are right.
If I am the DH, I am in less danger of getting drilled by my teammates bad throws.
Although the dugout is not completely safe from that danger, chalk one up for my personal safety.
