OT: How about those Twins?

[Chris Counts]

There's a lot to complain about in this world, but last night's Twins-Tigers game isn't one of them. The guy with the winning hit was batting .198, and the Twins' last pitcher picked up his first big league win ... in a do-or-die playoff game! The Metrodome is a poor excuse for a ballpark, but it's given us some unforgettable memories ...

[ChiefBenderForever]

Great game! Twins luck keeps them alive. Looking forward to ending Yankees season!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Yankees in 4, I think.

[Chris Counts]

It's definitely going to be one of those David vs. Goliath playoff series. Go David!

[vintagechris]

Fun game to watch. I was amazed at all the mistakes on what should have been elementary baseball.

[Chris Counts]

I agree, Chris. At one point, the Tiger's left fielder slid to snag a ball in front of him, and it landed behind him. Worse, the center fielder wasn't backing him up. What should have been an out turned into a triple and eventually the tying run, keeping the Twins alive ...

[Jim VB]

I'm not in love with Punto. He's serviceable, bu that all.


Now Maurer and Morneau... they would look good in pinstripes, someday.

(Although I sense they are both throw-backs who will spend their entire careers in Minnesota. And I'm OK with that.)

[tbob]

Gardenhire's fatal flaw is that he cares too much. It's great that he loves his players and this sometimes inspires them to play hard but he will play certain players game after game because they once were good but now are not and he either doesn't recognize it or refuses to see it. He trotted Francisco Liriano (who was lights out in 2006 but hasn't done squat since then) out there all year long to the tune of 5-14 and he almost cost us the title but luckily for Twins fans Liriano went on the DL and Duensing came up and pitched lights out down the stretch. Tonight he sucked again, as usual, but there is another day and Nick Blackburn was arguably the best big game pitcher on the team this year so we'll see. Yes the Yanks have more talent but the Twins were just flat tonight. I thought Duensing did a nice job other than the one mistake to Jeter (I loved the announcers saying Jeter hit it "deep in to the New York night" when in actuality it barely got out and curled around the foul pole) and got a pitch up to Swisher. Nice job by the rookie.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by tbob

Gardenhire's fatal flaw is that he cares too much. It's great that he loves his players and this sometimes inspires them to play hard but he will play certain players game after game because they once were good but now are not and he either doesn't recognize it or refuses to see it. He trotted Francisco Liriano (who was lights out in 2006 but hasn't done squat since then) out there all year long to the tune of 5-14 and he almost cost us the title but luckily for Twins fans Liriano went on the DL and Duensing came up and pitched lights out down the stretch. Tonight he suckd again, as usual, but there is another day and Nick Blackburn was arguably the best big game pitcher on the team this year so we'll see. Yes the Yanks have more talent but the Twins was just flat tonight. I thought Duensing did a nice job other than the one mistake to Jeter (I loved the announcers say Jeter hit it "deep in to the New York night" when in actuality it barely got out and curled around the foul pole) and got a pitch up to Swisher. Nice job by the rookie.

Jeter's shot did just curl around the pole, but it landed 15-20 rows back. It was hit well.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Mauer wants to win and doesn't think the Twins will add what is needed to go all the way. He also doesn't want his contract to be an excuse for adding nothing. I think the pressure and bright lights of NYC appeal to him and wouldn't be surprised to see him in pinstripes soon. He can't go anywhere here without being mobbed and is ready to step up to the bigtime.

[tbob]

The "big time"? Would that be playing for a team that hasn't won a single world championship this decade?
Maurer will stay a Twin, the Pohlads would have a fan revolt on their hands that would make the French Revolution look like an alley fight.

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by tbob

The "big time"? Would that be playing for a team that hasn't won a single world championship this decade?
Maurer will stay a Twin, the Pohlads would have a fan revolt on their hands that would make the French Revolution look like an alley fight.

The same fans who went ballastic when we took a local quarterback instead of Mark Prior? They got the new stadium so revenue covered for a couple years so if he wants to go it's over,and we will all cheer for him when he gets his ring just like KG with the Celtics. Posada is getting old and who better to replace him.

[nolemmings]

do not look for Joe Mauer to be catching for years on end. IMO, he will start taking ground balls at 3B by 2011---in Minneapolis.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

Posada is getting old and who better to replace him.

Posada is very old but I agree, no way is Mauer a catcher after a couple more years. Look what he did offensively behind the plate this year; imagine what he could have done if playing at first or third base.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

The same fans who went ballastic when we took a local quarterback instead of Mark Prior? They got the new stadium so revenue covered for a couple years so if he wants to go it's over,and we will all cheer for him when he gets his ring just like KG with the Celtics. Posada is getting old and who better to replace him.

Johnny, you could count the number of fans I know on one hand who wanted Prior over Maurer. Maurer cam out after high school as the best player in the draft and thank goodness the Twins grabbed him.

[calvindog]

Bob, in fairness to Liriano he had a horrible injury and surgery. It was painful to see him out there tonight getting batted around when you consider how great (albeit for a flash in time) he was.

[nolemmings]

Liriano's problems are mostly from the neck up. He has poor control, pitching for a team that gave up the fewest BBs again this year. The sermon is preached over and over--no walks, make them beat you with their bats--but is lost on him.

Liriano was the obvious first call to the bullpen tonight, given the short start and the pen's long workload last night. He actually pitched just badly, not poorly or abysmally as I half expected. The tator was hit to the deepest part of the park, but might have stayed in on a less windy night, in which case Span catches it, like he catches pretty much anything near him.

I'm sure Gardy also thought (well, dreamed is probably a better word) that Liriano might look sharp, and on the National stage no less, such that some team might actually delude itself into expressing trade interest this Winter. He's a number 5 starter at best now, and his days with the Twins are likely numbered.