Jason Kubel's White Rocket posted by Dustin

The Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers are locked in a border battle of non-epic proportions.  Compared to the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox rivalry, we are the two douche-bags on the play ground yelling about an ill-advised Magic the Gathering card throw.  

Unfortunately for them, the Yankee’s and Red Sox’s players are tainted with steroids over the past decade so our border battle is pure like Columbian Cocaine right off the plane in Miami.  

Last night Nick Blackburn lost a game that wasn’t his fault.  He is looking like the Ace the Twins need for the future and yet the runs didn’t support him.  Jason Kubel hit his 13th homer which keeps his 3rd place behind Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer.  Watching Jason Kubel hit home runs is like watching Lumberjack days.  He just cuts down trees to blast balls covering the fans with his white rocket.  

Carlos Gomez’s line drive off Greg Looper in the 5th was a frightening moment until Prince Fielder caught the ball.  Then it just became a wrongly placed line drive.  You want to hit the person and knock the ball at their feet while their confused.  That allows our fastest player to make it to the base in time.  Often these situations are scary but if you don’t make it to the base then it just sucks.  

Twins lost which isn’t awesome but I must give props where props is due.  Trevor Hoffman made his money when it was on the line.  He walked Joe Mauer and made the next batters get their own outs.  

Twin’s Verse Brewers 1st Inning Minnesota Experience posted by Dustin

Deciding to sit among baseball fans, I wanted to be in the competitive environment of a major league stadium.  My fraternity brothers are eclectic and both sides of the boarder.  Wisconsinites mingle freely on Minnesota soil.  I sat down just in time to see nervous eyed Carlos Gomez bat lead off. 

Listening to my friends I sat in a room of Wisconsinites and Minnesotans. Bets flared, cases of beer and keg cups were bartered before anyone even got up off the couch.  College students don’t have much to offer for bets except alcohol and $5.  Miller High Life is the request of the Wisconsinites and Coors is for the Minnesotans.  Well anything that doesn’t support Wisconsin is a beer of choice.

The conversation shifted to who has a better ball park.  Target Field verse Miller Park (We all pretend the Metrodome isn’t real) The home run porch verse the chance to have balconies like the Chicago stadium.  Unresolved, we watch the bats of the first inning.  Little excitement until we see a strike 3 pitch in the dirt that advances a runner.  “Hooray, an All-Star catcher like Joe Mauer wouldn’t error like that!” Ruckas becomes the norm in a fraternity.  We live out loud.    

Conversation moves to the recent playboy issue. Jokes: the difference between a redneck and a good ole boy? The good ole boy raises livestock and the redneck gets attached. (We laughed even if you didn’t)

Invariably these jokes lead to comparisons between the women of Wisconsin.  (No offense but some are goat ugly)

Minnesota Twin's Joe Nathan & Jason Kubel Defeat Oakland Athletics posted by Dustin

The Twinkies seem solid.  The 10 year life shelf of real Twinkies in the grocery store doesn’t work with our ball club.  They flash good and bad at anytime.  They might make on the shelf for about 2 days then implode.  Yet with 10 runs they are undefeated.  

The Minnesota twins are 8-0 when they score more than 10 runs.  I wish I could except that every night.  If the team hit like Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau I could expect it but unfortunately we have 7 other batters in the line up.  

Jason Kubel lifted his game in this road series.  The Athletics didn’t seem as dominate as he changed the game with his home-run in the 7th.  Alexi Casilla did his job by getting on base and scoring the winning run of the night.  

Twins you’ve shown back up to play baseball, thank you.  I am getting excited if we can string together 4 wins and dominate the Cubs.  

Joe Nathan has been nothing but spectacular as he picked up his 13th save of the season.  I can’t imagine what he could do on a team that gave tons of runs.  

The Twins need to win this last game.  It will give them confidence to deal with the Chicago Cubs who seem need game to cut their distance back in their division.  We are 4 games back and they are 2.5 games back.

Scouting the opposition: "Big Sloppy" David Ortiz - 1B: Boston Red Sox posted by Cesar Valverde

He's been a Yankee killer for the past few years. He is a big hero up in Boston. Big Papi, yeah! What's been going on with David Ortiz? Bill Simmons wrote an article in the June 15 issue of ESPN the Magazine that will please Yankee fans everywhere. He's been slumping big time. Mr. Simmons compared him to Clark Kent in Superman II when he lost his powers and ended up getting beat down by a bully. He also said that in a game against the Twins that Big Sloppy couldn't even keep up with a 89 mph fast ball. Red Sox fans are even jokingly saying that they need to mail him some HGH. Well, they can do that all they want because it looks like Big Papi has become Big Sloppy.

I first heard of David Ortiz back when he was with the Minnesota Twins. He totally stunk back then. It just seemed to me that every time he went against Yankee pitching he was an easy out. He was flat. 2004 came around and he just kept getting clutch hit after clutch hit for the Red Sox against the Yankees. I was like, "What's going on here? He totally sucked back in Minnesota. Come on! Get him!" I tell you the last few years, no one has caused me to shut off the TV in the middle of a Yankee game more than this guy. Now Yankee fans don't have anything to worry about. The Red Sox still have a tremendous amount of faith in this guy. They are diluted enough to think that he's going to come out of it. If all goes well tomorrow against the Red Sox with A.J. Burnett on the mound, expect to see David Ortiz somewhere towards the bottom of the batting order and him not able to keep up with any pitches. I mean c'mon, not being able to hit an 89 mph fast ball? My 5 year old son can hit an 89 mph fastball and he plays t-ball. Mr. Ortiz is going to be in trouble. Joba's going to be blowing it by him. Hughes is going to be blowing it by him. Even a slower Mariano Rivera is going to be blowing it by him. So Yankee fans rejoice! Big Sloppy is on his way out.

Sportscenter Covers Minnesota Twins Verse Seattle Mariners posted by Dustin

Turning on Sportscenter and seeing a Twins story mentioned brightens my day.  It reminds Minnesotans that we are not forgotten in the quiet AL Central.  It’s good when they talk about our winning and not just the new stadium.  That stadium will make us famous next year regardless of our record.  

Minnesotans love a little fame and opening new attractions (ie): Mall of America, 35W bridge and Mall of America.  (Ok there isn’t much in Minnesota, except nice people and the Mall of America)

Minnesota has an undying love for sports.  No matter the crushing blow of last season, we Minnesotans proudly return for a new chance at glory or despair.

That is why the Twins making it to Sportscenter is so important.  Obviously snapping Ichiro’s 27 game hit streak is an important season note but Minnesotans just want a little recognition.  Joe Nathan picking up his 11th save was magical, but no crucial it did redeem the team after a 6-1 loss to Cleveland.  Winning a game 2-1 in Seattle is huge but, isn’t the most important.  Making is on Sportscenter reminds the world; the Twins play honest baseball.

No one can beat a quality team that is focused.  The Twins are living proof that focused quality will dominate quantity.  Quality is the makeup of the Twins organization.  Scouting, drafting & development are the Twins strongest points.  That is what they always say on Sportscenter. 

A playoff berth effort for a small market team as much as winning a World Series is for a big market team.  The playoffs seem to be open for the Twins.  Years and years show that Twins baseball can compete in the regular season.

Drop Nick Punto & Keep Alexi Casilla posted by Dustin

Minnesota Twins Shortstop Nick Punto provides relief to his team injured.  Thank Manager Gardenhire for deciding to stop the bleeding.  There hasn’t been progress this season for Nick Punto.  He is batting his worst AVG ever and holds one of the worst On Base Percentages in MLB.  

In every season with at-least 40 games played or 90 at bats, Nick Punto has averaged better than his pitiful 187 AVG in 2009.  His departure from the Twins organization will allow the team a better chance at victory. 

Nick Punto on the disabled list with a sore groin muscle is our benefit.  Manager Gardenhire blamed Punto’s injury on his poor play but then ask the question, “Why did Punto play so poorly when not injured?”  

Twins fans understand Punto is a role player who might have worn out his role.  The Twins look to secure the AL Central with help but Nick Punto doesn’t provide help.  He is a hinderance and now his contract a salary drag.  It would be best to use the $500,000 buyout clause in his contract and rid ourselves. 

Until that buyout happens we can be thankful Punto is replaced by Alexi Casilla.  Casilla began the season at 2nd base and ultimately put in Triple-A to help his development.  Now after a month in Triple-A, Casilla is bating over .300 in 20 games.

Casilla shows promise with earlier experience, the starts early will help him settle in quickly.  As Fans, we have an opportunity to watch Casilla, we can decide if he is better than Punto.  Fans know though, any player will be better than Nick Punto.  Punto doesn’t have any redeemable player qualities.  He gets overpaid, under performs, and now gets paid to not travel.  

Red Sox and Lester: Same Old Same Old posted by HankHillRedsox

Lester started out this season 2-0 with under a I.00 ERA. Since then, he is now 3-5 losing his last 4 in a row including last night. I think he is healthy because in these last losses he pitched a great first 4 innings with at least a strikeout an inning. But all four games when it gets to the fifth inning it's like the other team can now read him (or he is not the same pitcher?) and know what's coming and they end up beating the Sox. Last night was the same old thing: the Red Sox ended this game with more hits (9-7) and had a lead for Lester heading into the 5th, 1-0. Then Lester fell apart again allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, a huge homerun for Morneau, and 5 earned runs --all in that 5th inning.  I don't really get it. Lester is a strong pitcher and the other batters must just be getting used to his fastball or something, because that's a deadly inning.Last night the 5 runs would be all the Twins would need.  The Twins win this one 5-2 and you have to give the Twins and pitcher Blackburn credit as he pitched a strong 7 innings, 1 earned run and 7 strikeouts. He did allow 8 hits, but the Sox could only capitalize once (they capitalized big time, though, with the only men they really had on base). The Red Sox also did try a new lineup, which I don't think really worked, but they had Ellsbury then Pedroia as usual, then Drew,Youkilis, Bay, then Big Papi batting in the 6 spot, weird, then Variteck, Bailey (in for Lowell who had the day off), then Lugo. I personally think Bay should be 4 and Drew or Lowell at the five, but just as long as we are hitting we will be OK and in last night's loss, even with the switched lineup, we still out hit them -- just not hits at the right time and that's baseball. So we go again tomorrow against these same Twins and it will be Dice-K (coming off the injury last week and pitched well in comeback vs Yankees but still 0-2) versus Slowey (6-1). This is Dice's second start since DL so this should be a good battle you don't want to miss!! Go Sox; gametime 8:10!!
Continue reading "Red Sox and Lester: Same Old Same Old"

Twinkies outlook and Manny posted by Coleman Dieger

There was a previous blog about Joe Crede and given the Twins effort to bring him in, maybe they are looking to compete now, versus 2-3 years from now?   Am in total agreement there.  Although from the box score and an error or two in the field, this Twins fan will reserve his opinion until later in the season about whether it was worth it.  So far, so good....I will say that the Twins starting rotation has been very impressive and Liriano has shown up once again.  It would seem he is arriving at the form he was at before getting hurt a couple years back  Keep it up Liriano, great work....Also, Joe Nathan needs to maintain if not raise the bar maybe a bit....he is looked at as one of the premier closers, but isn't closing like it just yet...I know it's early, so I will back off on that negativity.....GO Joe!!!

It is really looking like the Twins are fielding a quality team this year and that just rocks my world here in Idaho!!!  

Now, here is the topic I was really shying away from reflecting on.....MANNY R.....LA Dodgers.........he doesn't care what we think, so why the heck should we care what he thinks!!   He is providing an explanation of a Dr's prescr for his oops.  I am saying BS.....his testosterone wouldn't have been elevated if there wasn't something in his system that needed the drug he actually got busted for doing to balance his system out.  I mean the Dodgers will either be in 1st place or competing for it, when he comes back.  Also, is it obvious by Manny's statement he doesn't care to be getting a break from playing right now...he really doesn't care.  So, if he doesn't care, then I do not care to follow him.   I think that it is very obvious Manny plays baseball not cuz he loves the game (anymore), but because he wants the cash he gets, cuz he is exceptional at playing the game.  I think his LOVE for the game left after he got his 1st few game checks in Boston, therefore no longer had financial worries.  Anyone that is being honest, knows it was a joke that he waited for 4 months trying either to get a better deal than the Dodgers or was just not wanting to report yet.  Afterall, he took the same deal 4 months later as he had in 2 weeks after negotiations started....the one difference is the option to play year 2 if he WANTS to.  Oh well!  Enough of Manny and I won't be writing on this again....it's all the keystrokes he deserves from me, if he deserves these?

Twins rally to top Mariners in the bottom of the 9th - 4/7/09 posted by Homer Franky

            After a less than exciting home opener Monday night, the Twinkies appeared to be headed to an 0-2 start Tuesday after trailing 4-0 early to the Seattle Mariners.  The Twins were able to put together some hits, closing the gap to 4-3 heading into the sixth.  But the M's scraped together an insurance run in the top of the 9th, and looked poised for another victory as the Twins headed into the last half-inning trailing 5-3.  Closer Brandon Morrow struck out lead-off hitter Joe Crede, retired Delmon Young on a fly-out, and had Carlos Gomez down to his last strike.  Gomez was able stay alive and taxed Morrow for 8 pitches, eventually drawing a walk.  It all unraveled for the Seattle closer from there, walking pinch-hitter Jason Kubel on four pitches, followed right behind by Brian Buscher.  With the bases jacked and the winning run aboard, rookie manager Don Wakamatsu finally decided to pull Morrow in favor of Miguel Batista.  Denard Span then hit a chop single to deep third base, scoring Gomez and keeping the bases juiced for Alexi Casilla.  Jumping on the first pitch, Casilla dropped a single into shallow center, bringing in pinch runner Brendan Harris to tie and Brian Buscher for the go-ahead.  I just can't understand why Wakamatsu would have waited so long to pull the obviously struContinue reading "Twins rally to top Mariners in the ..."

The Sports Don's 2009 AL Central Preview posted by Christian Mielcarek

It’s Day Two of The Sports Don’s 2009 Baseball Preview, and I present perhaps the toughest division in baseball to predict. The American League Central could finish in any order, and I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised. And yes, that includes the upstart Kansas City Royals winning the division for the first time since 1985 when George Brett was 32, and the Royals defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series.

I don’t foresee that miraculous event actually occurring, but the Royals and their youthful core could make some noise in a division that features strong Minnesota pitching and a few scary lineups.

To read yesterday’s AL East Preview, click here.

1. MINNESOTA TWINS (88-75, second place in 2008)

Like most baseball number crunchers believe, pitching wins championships, and although the Twins’ staff may still be a bit young to fight through the top three AL East teams and the Los Angeles Angels into the World Series, it should be good enough to come out atop in the Central.

Along with an elite closer in Joe Nathan (40 save per season average in his five years in Minnesota), the Twins feature a strong starting rotation composed of Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn and Glen Perkins. Minnesota’s team ERA of 4.16 was middle of the road in 2008, but each of the aforementioned starters not named Liriano won at least 11 games, and Liriano, who is still on his way back from Tommy John surgery, went 6-1 in his final 11 starts last year with a 2.74 ERA while striking out nearly a batter an inning. Slowey and Perkins have both impressed this spring with a combined 2.23 ERA in 40 1/3 innings, and Liriano has shown signs of his potential Cy Young candidacy minus a rough outing against the Red Sox last week. The bullpen has some questions, but if manager Ron Gardenhire can finagle the lead to Nathan, it’s a done deal.

Cubs fans let Bradley have it for misplays in field

The Minnesota Twins fans in the crowd of 41,509 at Wrigley Field weren't the only ones giving Milton Bradley the business for his many misdeeds on Friday. [read full article]

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