Frank: It was a big week for the Minnesota Red Twins, as recent call-ups from the Class AAA Rochester Red Wings had some big games. The trend continued yesterday with Glen Perkins picking up his second win of the week, a series clinching victory over the Central Division rival Detroit Tigers. One thing that would help this happen is improved defense; I asked Bert about that.
Bert: This year’s Twins team is a work in progress probably until the All-Star break. The reason why is there are so many new faces on this club. Players on the disabled list and players going back and forth between the big club and Triple-A can take the life out of a club for a while. Ron Gardenhire believes that good pitching and good defense win games. With the inconsistent health of players at shortstop and second base, it will take time to find the right combination for the second half of the season.
Pitchers shouldn't have trouble throwing the ball to the right base or to a defensive player, period! Bad throws and bad decisions can cost your team a victory! But guess what; they are human too and make mistakes as we all do! This is another area that is being addressed and it too will take time. More pitchers fielding practice (PFP) will be added before batting practice, as well as the Twins trying to tighten up their infield defense. Again, all of this will take time!
Frank: Speaking of impatience, the New York Yankees will visit the Metrodome this weekend, bringing the swagger that always accompanies the team, because of the fact that a Steinbrenner is running a team with a huge payroll. But, the difference this year is that the Yankees are not that great. Coming off yet another playoff appearance, they were mired in last place in the A.L. East before yesterday – when they completed a sweep of the Mariners The only team in that division with a losing record (before yesterday), the Yankees have not turned it on, at least so far. Do you think they will? This weekend?
Bert: The Twins are currently in Kansas City and wouldn't it be nice to win the series here like they did in Detroit over the weekend! This would help the Twins go into the Yankee series starting Friday night at the Dome. The Yankees have had a tough time so far this season, mainly with their starting staff. Just like the Twins, they have had injuries that have kept them right around a .500 ball club. The main thing the Yankees have to worry about is the way the Boston Red Sox are playing and starting to pull away from the pack in the Eastern Division. Thank goodness the Tampa Bay Rays are staying close to the Red Sox (The Rays actually took the lead from the Red Sox yesterday.) I can't believe I just said that, but good for the Rays. They need a season like they are having so far for their organization and their fans. All 20 of them....
The Yankees will find a way to get back into the race. Like you said, money is no object to this rich organization and we all know George Steinbrenner, or now his son Hank, does not like to lose. Time will tell what moves they will make to get back to the Yankees of old, when they won Championships. I am looking forward to the 4-game series and seeing first hand what's going on with this team.
Frank: We all are. But before that, today is the Twins' first day off in three weeks. What will they/you do? Since you are in Kansas City, I must ask, do you prefer your meat with or without barbecue sauce? They claim down there to be the home of the world's greatest barbecue, which I have never liked. Since you have talked before about burgers -- which I do like -- let's hold the barbecue sauce. I remember my first time at Fuddruckers, the build-your-own burger joint that is now everywhere, came in Kansas City. I was a 14 year-old boy, so the name alone amused me to no end. I thoroughly enjoyed dining there, even though I don't remember if I enjoyed the burger. Have you been there? How about a Memorial Day picnic catered by Fuddruckers?
Bert: Off days are needed more for the every day player than the starting staff. Off days are also good for the bullpen. . . Kansas City is known for its great ribs. Gates BBQ is the place I like best here in KC. Better not wear a clean shirt when you go there because it won't be clean when you leave! The sauces they use on their beef are the best.
My wife Gayle and I have been to Fuddruckers and it too is a great place to eat. We used to take our boys there so they could pig out on exactly what they wanted. I bet you pigged out too Frank!
Hope you have a safe Memorial Day and let's hope that when the Twins come home they will be on a winning streak.
Please say a prayer for all the men and women who currently serve and have served our country! God Bless them all!
Frank: First of all, we just met in January, so how can you know my appetite from over 20 years ago so well? I will pray, and I hope all of our readers do the same. Now for the frivolous stuff:
Here are some things to look for that would help the Twins this week as they play against the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees.
We witnessed the arrival of the power of a couple of new guys, as Mike Lamb and Alexi Casilla hit their first home runs of the year – for Casilla it was his first major league home run – but we are still anxiously awaiting glimpses of power from Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer. Alexi “Casilla later” hit his second homer of the week Saturday night in Detroit, one of two major bright spots for the Twins in their loss to the Tigers, 19-3. (The other was Matt Macri -- the newest call-up from Rochester -- who collected two hits, stole a base, and drove in a run, all in his first major league start.)
We need to keep up the improved offense, but not just the home run production. The Twins have jumped to the top five in the league in batting average and runs scored. We’ve also moved up the list in walks, slugging percentage, and many other offensive categories.
“Firsts” continued: many Twins enjoyed premieres last week, and not just those I’ve already mentioned. Left hander Glen Perkins won his first major league contest last Tuesday night. Kevin Slowey joined Perkins Friday night with his first victory this season. Bobby Korecky – who was recently called up from Rochester – became the first pitcher ever to get a hit in the Metrodome. The Metrodome opened in 1982, so even Bert Blyleven got shut out. On the same night as Korecky’s hit, Howie Clark – more recently called up from Rochester -- got him his first big league win with a thrilling walk-off base hit, driving in his first run for Minnesota. So last Monday night was a big one for the Red Twins. We will see what further can be premiered – can “Casilla later” unveil a grand slam trot in Kansas City? Will Perkins go the distance against the Yankees? Can Macri hit for the cycle? What about Korecky going for the cycle? Watch all week and find out:
Tuesday: vs. Kansas City at 6:30 PM
Wednesday: vs. Kansas City at 6:30 PM
Thursday: vs. Kansas City at 6:30 PM
Friday: vs. New York Yankees at 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. New York Yankees at 5:30 PM
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Talkin' Baseball and Basketball
Farnk: The Twins take on Texas this week--The Texas Rangers came into the three-game weekend series against the Twins April 25-27, the Texas Rangers were just 7-16. But including that series victory (2-1), the Rangers have gone 15-7 since. In other words, they are playing much better baseball. Vicente Padilla, their number two starter, came in 2-2 with a 4.97 E.R.A. But with a complete game, shutout victory over the Twins as a starting point, he has improved enough to go 4-0 in five starts, lowering his E.R.A. to 3.16. Thursday afternoon at the Metrodome, he will take on the Twins again. Starting pitcher Livan Hernandez will try to win a rematch with Padilla, whose Rangers defeated Hernandez and the Twins 10-0. That was the only loss for Hernandez so far. So what can the offense do differently this time against Padilla to support Livan more? How will the Twins cool off Texas? Will it be enough to play them at home, where we had won 10 of 11 before being swept by Toronto last week?
Bert: The Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays are the hottest teams in the American League right now. The Rays are second in the Eastern Division, to many people's surprise, and the Rangers are just trying to get back to the .500 mark. I'm happy for both these clubs because it's good for baseball and for their fans.
The rematch of Livan Hernandez vs. Vicente Padilla should be a good one. Livan has been everything the Twins needed in a veteran starter and a great example for the younger pitchers on the Twins staff. He is a pitcher not a thrower! The young starters will learn a lot by watching him pitch, if they want to learn! Vicente has turned his season around. He started the season off slow and sometimes a game like he had against the Twins can help turn any pitcher‘s season around. Maybe that negative thought in his head is gone? Both these pitchers are the aces of their rotation.
Frank: It’s always about pitching with you, Bert. J But their hitters are hot, too. The Rangers are second in the league in batting average, slugging percentage, and runs scored, and first in home runs. They have one or two players among the league leaders in every major offensive category. But since you love pitching (for some reason), let’s talk about the guys who have to try to deal with this offense late in the game:
When Pat Neshek went down with an elbow injury, it left a hole in the bullpen. Neshek was, until a week and a half ago, the primary setup man for the Twins -- the most likely to be called from the bullpen in a close game to try to get the ball to closer Joe Nathan with a lead. Now, he is out for the year, right? So what will help the Twins' bullpen avoid the kind of problems that they had the last time that we played in Detroit? The Twins return this weekend to the scene of the most disappointing performances of the year by the otherwise great bullpen, back-to-back, late-inning losses to the Detroit Tigers. Can the relievers hold up without Neshek?
Bert: The doctors have told Neshek to not even pick up a baseball for three months. Right now his arm is in a sling for about a month, so the muscles can heal without him having to move it around or even accidentally bumping it into something or someone. After three months, he will have to see if the soreness in his elbow is still there. Only time will tell if the rest heals the ligament. I had elbow surgery in 1982 and I know that sometimes rest doesn't help, so let's all hope that Pat's elbow heals without any future surgery.
Losing a key member on any staff puts an additional workload on some other pitchers. But the good news is that the Twins have some great arms in their bullpen. Everyone in the bullpen has only one goal and that is to get the ball into the hands of Joe Nathan for the ninth inning. With Pat out, Jesse Crain, Juan Rincon, Dennys Reyes, and Matt Guerrier will get a chance to fill the role Pat had. I just mentioned four pitchers that have filled this role before, so the bullpen staff will be fine. Brian Bass and Bobby Korecky will be asked to get to the four horsemen, and they then to get to Nathan. If the starters could go seven innings or more, it would help these guys out! I don't think that's asking too much! In today's game, you win division championships through your bullpen, and even with Pat gone for the season the Twins will have a chance.
Frank: Well sure, if the starting pitchers last for seven innings every game, then I agree that the bullpen should be fine. But it coudl be a challenge to beat Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series!:
When the Twins head to Detroit this week, we will enter a city that is caught up in the NBA playoffs. The Detroit Pistons have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth consecutive year. Have you ever been to a Pistons game? What about any NBA playoff game? I had seats at Target Center for two playoff games in 2004, including Game Five of the Western Conference finals. Can you top that? If the Twins play in Detroit at the same time as a Pistons home playoff game, which game would you attend?
Bert: The Detroit Tigers should be VERY HAPPY that the Pistons are in the playoffs because there is a positive air in Detroit. Once the NBA season is over, then sports fans in Detroit will look and say, "What the heck is going on with the Tigers?” The Tigers, who were supposed to run away with the division, are in last place! The Twins hope to help keep them there over the weekend.
I have only been to a few NBA games and I enjoyed watching how quickly those BIG men get up and down the court. Basketball players are in great shape and really put their bodies through a lot. They are some of the best athletes around, and I would put them right up there with pitchers. Ha ha!
If the Pistons were playing the same time as the Tigers, I personally would go to the Tigers game. Even though the excitement would be higher at the NBA game, the Tigers would be playing the Twins!!!! You can see where my loyalty lies!!!! Go Twins!
Frank: Now that I have poked fun at Bert for saying the same thing each week, let me do the same. . . Here are some things to look for that would help the Twins “go” this week:
1. We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of home run power we have heard about (and come close to seeing) from new Twins Delmon Young and Mike Lamb – and the reappearance of Joe Mauer’s power. In the meantime we went back to the “big boys” last week, as Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel. We could use a few more this week against the Texas Rangers tonight through Thursday at the Metrodome, then at the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
2. The continued development of newly returned starters Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins. Except for allowing too many home runs Slowey has been good. Maybe Perkins will prove to be the quality Twins starter he has always hoped to become, because he has been really good so far.
3. The stability of the lineup over the final week of playing every day -- especially if Carlos Gomez comes back tonight -- will help. It would be nice to add speed back to the lineup, now that Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto are on the DL.
Let’s hope that Boof Bonser rises to the challenge of cooling off a hot team tonight, and that the bullpen fares better this weekend than it did the last series in Detroit!
Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:
Monday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Tuesday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Wednesday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Friday: vs. Detroit at 5:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Detroit at 5:30 PM
Bert: The Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays are the hottest teams in the American League right now. The Rays are second in the Eastern Division, to many people's surprise, and the Rangers are just trying to get back to the .500 mark. I'm happy for both these clubs because it's good for baseball and for their fans.
The rematch of Livan Hernandez vs. Vicente Padilla should be a good one. Livan has been everything the Twins needed in a veteran starter and a great example for the younger pitchers on the Twins staff. He is a pitcher not a thrower! The young starters will learn a lot by watching him pitch, if they want to learn! Vicente has turned his season around. He started the season off slow and sometimes a game like he had against the Twins can help turn any pitcher‘s season around. Maybe that negative thought in his head is gone? Both these pitchers are the aces of their rotation.
Frank: It’s always about pitching with you, Bert. J But their hitters are hot, too. The Rangers are second in the league in batting average, slugging percentage, and runs scored, and first in home runs. They have one or two players among the league leaders in every major offensive category. But since you love pitching (for some reason), let’s talk about the guys who have to try to deal with this offense late in the game:
When Pat Neshek went down with an elbow injury, it left a hole in the bullpen. Neshek was, until a week and a half ago, the primary setup man for the Twins -- the most likely to be called from the bullpen in a close game to try to get the ball to closer Joe Nathan with a lead. Now, he is out for the year, right? So what will help the Twins' bullpen avoid the kind of problems that they had the last time that we played in Detroit? The Twins return this weekend to the scene of the most disappointing performances of the year by the otherwise great bullpen, back-to-back, late-inning losses to the Detroit Tigers. Can the relievers hold up without Neshek?
Bert: The doctors have told Neshek to not even pick up a baseball for three months. Right now his arm is in a sling for about a month, so the muscles can heal without him having to move it around or even accidentally bumping it into something or someone. After three months, he will have to see if the soreness in his elbow is still there. Only time will tell if the rest heals the ligament. I had elbow surgery in 1982 and I know that sometimes rest doesn't help, so let's all hope that Pat's elbow heals without any future surgery.
Losing a key member on any staff puts an additional workload on some other pitchers. But the good news is that the Twins have some great arms in their bullpen. Everyone in the bullpen has only one goal and that is to get the ball into the hands of Joe Nathan for the ninth inning. With Pat out, Jesse Crain, Juan Rincon, Dennys Reyes, and Matt Guerrier will get a chance to fill the role Pat had. I just mentioned four pitchers that have filled this role before, so the bullpen staff will be fine. Brian Bass and Bobby Korecky will be asked to get to the four horsemen, and they then to get to Nathan. If the starters could go seven innings or more, it would help these guys out! I don't think that's asking too much! In today's game, you win division championships through your bullpen, and even with Pat gone for the season the Twins will have a chance.
Frank: Well sure, if the starting pitchers last for seven innings every game, then I agree that the bullpen should be fine. But it coudl be a challenge to beat Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series!:
When the Twins head to Detroit this week, we will enter a city that is caught up in the NBA playoffs. The Detroit Pistons have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth consecutive year. Have you ever been to a Pistons game? What about any NBA playoff game? I had seats at Target Center for two playoff games in 2004, including Game Five of the Western Conference finals. Can you top that? If the Twins play in Detroit at the same time as a Pistons home playoff game, which game would you attend?
Bert: The Detroit Tigers should be VERY HAPPY that the Pistons are in the playoffs because there is a positive air in Detroit. Once the NBA season is over, then sports fans in Detroit will look and say, "What the heck is going on with the Tigers?” The Tigers, who were supposed to run away with the division, are in last place! The Twins hope to help keep them there over the weekend.
I have only been to a few NBA games and I enjoyed watching how quickly those BIG men get up and down the court. Basketball players are in great shape and really put their bodies through a lot. They are some of the best athletes around, and I would put them right up there with pitchers. Ha ha!
If the Pistons were playing the same time as the Tigers, I personally would go to the Tigers game. Even though the excitement would be higher at the NBA game, the Tigers would be playing the Twins!!!! You can see where my loyalty lies!!!! Go Twins!
Frank: Now that I have poked fun at Bert for saying the same thing each week, let me do the same. . . Here are some things to look for that would help the Twins “go” this week:
1. We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of home run power we have heard about (and come close to seeing) from new Twins Delmon Young and Mike Lamb – and the reappearance of Joe Mauer’s power. In the meantime we went back to the “big boys” last week, as Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel. We could use a few more this week against the Texas Rangers tonight through Thursday at the Metrodome, then at the Detroit Tigers this weekend.
2. The continued development of newly returned starters Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins. Except for allowing too many home runs Slowey has been good. Maybe Perkins will prove to be the quality Twins starter he has always hoped to become, because he has been really good so far.
3. The stability of the lineup over the final week of playing every day -- especially if Carlos Gomez comes back tonight -- will help. It would be nice to add speed back to the lineup, now that Matt Tolbert and Nick Punto are on the DL.
Let’s hope that Boof Bonser rises to the challenge of cooling off a hot team tonight, and that the bullpen fares better this weekend than it did the last series in Detroit!
Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:
Monday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Tuesday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Wednesday: vs. Texas at 6:30 PM
Friday: vs. Detroit at 5:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Detroit at 5:30 PM
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sqeeze Plays & Denver Omelets
Frank: It was certainly an exciting week for the Minnesota Twins, which began in Chicago last Tuesday against the archrival Chicago White Sox. Wednesday night included some sparkling performances by the Twins, including Carlos Gomez, who became the first Twin in 22 years to hit for the cycle and starting pitcher Livan Hernandez who came within two outs of a complete game shutout before allowing a solo homer, the only blemish on his 13-1, complete game victory. Thursday saw the return of starter Kevin Slowey after a month of rehab; while Saturday night was the return of Glen Perkins after nearly a year away from the Twins – making his first major league start, against the powerful Boston Red Sox. In between, we won the exciting series opener against the Red Sox 7-6 in walk-off fashion. Mike Lamb capped off an improbable ninth inning with his game-winning, two-run single. And then last night’s game was not only the annual tribute to moms, complete with pink bats, but also a sudden appearance of the power game for the Twins. So every game last week was exciting, each for a different reason.
With the Twins set to begin interleague play this weekend, a question that I have been hanging onto for a while seems appropriate finally. Back during the first week of the season, the Twins pulled off a squeeze play to score the deciding run in a victory over the Kansas City Royals. This is a difficult, rarely seen play, especially in the American League, where a runner on third base takes off for home on the very same pitch that the batter bunts the ball. The National League sees a lot more squeezes, because bunting is a much bigger part of the game in the National League. I don't think I have ever seen Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire call for a squeeze before. Was it just called because of the former National Leaguers involved? Do you think he would dare try it again during interleague play, this time pulling a magic trick in front of the wizards?
Bert: The squeeze play is as common as a cycle in baseball. Meaning that you don't see it too often. The squeeze play that the Twins put on earlier this season was on Friday, April 4, two days before my birthday, in Minnesota against the Royals. The situation was this:
The game was tied 3-3 going into the bottom of the fourth. The Royals’ pitcher was lefthander John Bale and Mike Lamb led off the bottom of the inning with a double and Matt Tolbert sacrificed him to third. Adam Everett was the next hitter, batting ninth in the order. Lamb and Everett were teammates in Houston last season so they know each other well. Everett was asked to bunt and Lamb took off toward home plate as soon as the left-handed Bale delivered the pitch toward the plate. Adam laid down a perfect bunt and the squeeze play worked to perfection. By the way, the Twins won the game 4-3 and the squeeze bunt by Everett provided the deciding run. The timing was perfect and Gardy knows the situation for a squeeze has to be perfect and it was with a lefthander on the mound and Adam Everett at the plate. It will be interesting to watch and see if the Twins try another squeeze play at any other time this season; in interleague play or in their own league!
Frank: That will be fun to watch for, especially this weekend, which will be six weeks after your birthday (for those scoring at home). Another interesting thing to follow will be the development of starting pitchers Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins, who recently returned to the Twins. Slowey pitched Thursday for the first time in over a month, following a minor league rehab stint. Perkins, on the other hand, made his major league starting debut Saturday night, replacing injured starter Scott Baker. Can you compare and contrast the two pitchers, and give us an idea how long it might take for them to get into top form. You must have a pretty good idea, having been there yourself.
Bert: With some injuries to the starting staff comes opportunity. I got my chance back in 1970 when Dave Boswell and Luis Tiant came down with injuries. It was an opportunity and I ran with it! Kevin Slowey was hurt earlier this season so he is just getting back into the rotation. He pitched great in Chicago for four innings and then ran into problems in the fifth, his last inning that day. Two home runs scored three runs and the Twins lost the game 6-2. One thing that Slowey needs to do is to make sure he stays down in the strike zone. He did a great job for four innings doing exactly that, but in the fifth, after the Twins scored two runs in the top of the inning, he starting falling behind in the count and the White Sox hit the home runs.
Glen Perkins is getting the change he wants and that is to be a starter at the Major League level. He pitched very well in his first Major League start against Boston, but gave up back-to-back homeruns leading off the bottom of the seventh. He gave up three home runs in 6-plus innings but they were all solo home runs. The Twins offense couldn't do much against Dice-K and the Boston bullpen and lost 5-2.
Both these pitchers will be needed throughout the season as the Twins try to stay in first place. I know the Twins want a lefthander in their rotation after losing Santana and with Liriano in the minors. Let's hope Perkins is their answer!
Frank: Perkins will not get a start this weekend, but Kevin Slowey should start Sunday afternoon against Colorado. He will really need to keep the ball down in the thin Denver air. I asked Bert about the ballpark there:
I know that Coors Field opened after you retired; have you ever been there? Ever had a Denver omelet? I hear that the stadium, which is another huge one seating over 50,000 like the Metrodome, offers a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains -- competing with the breathtaking view of Interstate 94 that you can get by stepping just a few feet outside the Metrodome (in a few spots). Assuming that you have been there, what did you think? Is it true that it is a mile high? Is the air thin enough for Matt Tolbert to go deep? What about Matt Guerrier (the pitchers will hit)? Seriously now, how about Livan Hernandez, who hit nine home runs during his 11 years in the National League? He will start Saturday night; do you want to make a call right now?
Bert: I have been to Coors Field in Denver only once and it is a beautiful stadium. I was there with my friend, George Frazier, a former Twins pitcher and currently the color analyst for the Rockies FSN television network. This will be the first time the Twins are in Denver to play a regular season game. Many years ago the Twins played an exhibition game in Denver but that was at Mile High Stadium.
Interleague play is an opportunity for fans to see some of the great players in each league. I remember pitching one time in Denver, back in 1970 for the Evansville Triples, and I can attest that the ball travels further than usual at the Mile High level. It will be fun to watch the games in Denver and see, even in batting practice, the ball jump off the Twins’ bats. Let's hope Tolbert gets hold of one, but let's hope all the Twins get hold of some DURING the game. Hitting homeruns in batting practice looks good to the fans watching, but hitting them in the game is another thing. This is one area the Twins haven't been good at yet. Maybe the higher altitude will help the Twins hit more home runs!
Pitchers do get a chance to hit in National League parks and Livan Hernandez loves to hit. His success in hitting some home runs will probably come into play when he pitches and Gardy has to decide whether to have him bunt or let him swing away. It's too early to make a call now, but during the game I might feel it and make that call. Let's just hope Hernandez continues to pitch great and let the other guys drive in the runs he needs to win the game.
My wife Gayle and I will have a Denver omelet just to say we had a Denver omelet in Denver. Want me to bring you back one? Go Twins!
Frank: Okay, if I don’t have to eat it. Here are some things to look for that would help the Twins “go” this week:
1. We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of the power we have heard about (and come close to seeing) from new Twins Delmon Young and Mike Lamb – and the reappearance of Joe Mauer’s power. The home run production hasn’t spread out much, only to Adam Everett; but the pace of homers by lesser sluggers, like Carlos Gomez and Craig Monroe, picked up a lot yesterday. We could use a few more like yesterday against Boston tonight, the Toronto Blue Jays tomorrow through Thursday, and the Rockies this weekend.
2. The continued development of newly returned starters Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins. Maybe Slowey will begin a five-month competition with Nick Blackburn for American League Rookie of the Year! Maybe Perkins will prove to be the lefty we need.
3. The stability of the lineup over the next two weeks – with a game every day -- especially if Brendan Harris comes back tonight, will help. Although, Mike Redmond will get more playing time behind the plate. So that’s one possible lineup change!
No matter what the lineup is, let’s keep playing better against the non-divisional opponents (Right now, we are 13-8 against division rivals, and 6-9 against others.) that the Twins will be playing a lot over the next month and a half. We need to win outside the Central, too, especially in October!
Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:
Monday: vs. Boston at 5:30PM
Tuesday: vs. Toronto at 6:30 PM
Wednesday: vs. Toronto at 6:30 PM
Friday: vs. Colorado at 7:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Colorado at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Young, Talented & Aggressive
Frank: The Minnesota Twins had a perfect week last week, much better than the previous one. Coming off a disappointing road trip, the Twins returned home for five games against divisional opponents. Whether it was the home cooking, playing against our chief rivals, or the rare two days off (today is another), the Twins pitched and played much better than they did before, capping off a 5-0 homestand with a come-from-behind victory over the Detroit Tigers yesterday. Here are some thoughts about last week:
The week started out with the Chicago White Sox leading the American League Central Division, three and a half games up on the third-place Twins and coming to the Metrodome on the heels of a series victory (pending completion of a suspended game) over the Baltimore Orioles. But Boof Bonser found his great curve ball from last year Tuesday night, and pitched seven strong innings to start the winning streak. Then the reins were passed to rookie Nick Blackburn. Blackburn had made it to the last day of April, the first month of an unexpected stint in the major leagues, without yielding a home run. But on that day, last Wednesday, he faced the powerful Chicago White Sox -- who came into the day leading the league in homers -- and something had to give. Unfortunately for him, it was the left field seats. Bonser closed the week with a strong performance against the Detroit Tigers -- well, after the first five batters of the game, who all got hits and scored runs. Five very good, shutout innings followed one more bloop single and unearned run, allowing for the comeback win.
In between, there were two other impressive performances by the Twins’ pitching staff. They were needed, too, because the Tigers came from Yankee Stadium, having just pulled off a 3-game sweep -- their first sweep in the Bronx in 42 years. Livan Hernandez allowed only one run in seven innings Friday night, and the bullpen, led by newcomer Brian Bass, helped injured starter Scott Baker by yielding just one run in six innings of work Saturday night. That underscored the work done by the relief corps over the homestand. For the second time this season, they put a long, difficult road trip behind them, and gave up one run while pitching at least 15 innings over five games at home. Joe Nathan once again anchored the bullpen, picking up four saves and pushing the Twins two games over .500 and into first place in the division, a game and a half ahead of the White Sox.
As we talked about before, the Twins are not about power; they will rely on other facets of the game -- such as aggressive base running -- for their success. However, one of those other facets is taking walks, because walks lead to the aggressive base running. So why are we swinging at more balls than anyone else in the major leagues?
Bert: Nothing is given to you in life, especially ball four! The Twins have one of the youngest teams in the Major Leagues this season; and sometimes with young, talented kids comes a lot of aggressiveness. That aggressiveness is taken in their approach at the plate. Young, talented kids like Carlos Gomez, Brendan Harris and Delmon Young are hitters that are ready to swing at the first pitch. I personally think there is too much emphasis on team numbers in today's game. Every game we are given stat sheets that have almost every team and personal stat available about the Twins, their opponent and each individual player. The goal of a player, young or old, is not to loss his aggressiveness on the field. That means as a defensive player and an offensive player. The bottom line is to win games and that's the only thing that's important.
Frank: They certainly won some games this weekend, and the main offensive star was Joe Mauer, who went 7 for 11 with two walks, scoring three runs and picking up four RBI – including the game-winning, two-run single yesterday. He caught all three games. This is not a new trend, so I asked Bert about it: Joe Mauer has been playing a lot, even the afternoon game last Wednesday -- a rarity for a catcher, a day game following a start the night before. Is Mike Redmond hurting, or do you think it is more a matter of Mauer hitting so well? Or is it because he is stronger earlier in the year?
Bert: Mike Redmond has been bothered by a sore right shoulder, but that doesn't mean that this gamer doesn't want to play. Joe Mauer is the team’s #1 catcher, and manager Ron Gardenhire is going to use Joe as much as possible. The few times Joe has started a day game after a night game is because the next day is an off day on the schedule. Mike Redmond will get his at bats throughout the season and he will be ready, sore shoulder or not. (After today, the Twins play 20 games in 20 days; so Redmond will certainly get some starts, including one against the Red Sox.)
Frank: The world champion Boston Red Sox make their annual appearance at the Metrodome this weekend. When David Ortiz, AKA Big Papi, brings his little teammates to town Friday night, he will square off against Twins starter Boof Bonser. Can Boof Lite survive the weight disadvantage of this matchup?
Bert: First of all, Frank, what Boof weighs has nothing to do with his rematch against David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox. Boof decided to lose some weight because it was suggested that he was not in good pitching shape by the Twins’ trainers, strength coach, and his pitching coach, Rick Anderson. Give Boof some credit for reducing his body weight and, most importantly, he has pitched extremely well this season so far. David Ortiz is surrounded by great hitters like Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and Mike Lowell. What Boof needs the most in his start against the Red Sox is some early run support. Early run support for any pitcher just means that he can make a few mistakes early in the game and it won't cost you a victory. Now that I have finished writing this for the blog, I am going out and having a BIG juicy burger on Boof......Go Twins!
Frank: We do agree on one thing, as we head into a laundry week full of Sox. . . Go Twins!
The Twins are on FSN North all week:
Tuesday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:30PM
Wednesday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:30 PM
Thursday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 12:30 PM
Friday: vs. Boston Red Sox, 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Boston Red Sox, 5:30PM
The week started out with the Chicago White Sox leading the American League Central Division, three and a half games up on the third-place Twins and coming to the Metrodome on the heels of a series victory (pending completion of a suspended game) over the Baltimore Orioles. But Boof Bonser found his great curve ball from last year Tuesday night, and pitched seven strong innings to start the winning streak. Then the reins were passed to rookie Nick Blackburn. Blackburn had made it to the last day of April, the first month of an unexpected stint in the major leagues, without yielding a home run. But on that day, last Wednesday, he faced the powerful Chicago White Sox -- who came into the day leading the league in homers -- and something had to give. Unfortunately for him, it was the left field seats. Bonser closed the week with a strong performance against the Detroit Tigers -- well, after the first five batters of the game, who all got hits and scored runs. Five very good, shutout innings followed one more bloop single and unearned run, allowing for the comeback win.
In between, there were two other impressive performances by the Twins’ pitching staff. They were needed, too, because the Tigers came from Yankee Stadium, having just pulled off a 3-game sweep -- their first sweep in the Bronx in 42 years. Livan Hernandez allowed only one run in seven innings Friday night, and the bullpen, led by newcomer Brian Bass, helped injured starter Scott Baker by yielding just one run in six innings of work Saturday night. That underscored the work done by the relief corps over the homestand. For the second time this season, they put a long, difficult road trip behind them, and gave up one run while pitching at least 15 innings over five games at home. Joe Nathan once again anchored the bullpen, picking up four saves and pushing the Twins two games over .500 and into first place in the division, a game and a half ahead of the White Sox.
As we talked about before, the Twins are not about power; they will rely on other facets of the game -- such as aggressive base running -- for their success. However, one of those other facets is taking walks, because walks lead to the aggressive base running. So why are we swinging at more balls than anyone else in the major leagues?
Bert: Nothing is given to you in life, especially ball four! The Twins have one of the youngest teams in the Major Leagues this season; and sometimes with young, talented kids comes a lot of aggressiveness. That aggressiveness is taken in their approach at the plate. Young, talented kids like Carlos Gomez, Brendan Harris and Delmon Young are hitters that are ready to swing at the first pitch. I personally think there is too much emphasis on team numbers in today's game. Every game we are given stat sheets that have almost every team and personal stat available about the Twins, their opponent and each individual player. The goal of a player, young or old, is not to loss his aggressiveness on the field. That means as a defensive player and an offensive player. The bottom line is to win games and that's the only thing that's important.
Frank: They certainly won some games this weekend, and the main offensive star was Joe Mauer, who went 7 for 11 with two walks, scoring three runs and picking up four RBI – including the game-winning, two-run single yesterday. He caught all three games. This is not a new trend, so I asked Bert about it: Joe Mauer has been playing a lot, even the afternoon game last Wednesday -- a rarity for a catcher, a day game following a start the night before. Is Mike Redmond hurting, or do you think it is more a matter of Mauer hitting so well? Or is it because he is stronger earlier in the year?
Bert: Mike Redmond has been bothered by a sore right shoulder, but that doesn't mean that this gamer doesn't want to play. Joe Mauer is the team’s #1 catcher, and manager Ron Gardenhire is going to use Joe as much as possible. The few times Joe has started a day game after a night game is because the next day is an off day on the schedule. Mike Redmond will get his at bats throughout the season and he will be ready, sore shoulder or not. (After today, the Twins play 20 games in 20 days; so Redmond will certainly get some starts, including one against the Red Sox.)
Frank: The world champion Boston Red Sox make their annual appearance at the Metrodome this weekend. When David Ortiz, AKA Big Papi, brings his little teammates to town Friday night, he will square off against Twins starter Boof Bonser. Can Boof Lite survive the weight disadvantage of this matchup?
Bert: First of all, Frank, what Boof weighs has nothing to do with his rematch against David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox. Boof decided to lose some weight because it was suggested that he was not in good pitching shape by the Twins’ trainers, strength coach, and his pitching coach, Rick Anderson. Give Boof some credit for reducing his body weight and, most importantly, he has pitched extremely well this season so far. David Ortiz is surrounded by great hitters like Manny Ramirez, Kevin Youkilis, and Mike Lowell. What Boof needs the most in his start against the Red Sox is some early run support. Early run support for any pitcher just means that he can make a few mistakes early in the game and it won't cost you a victory. Now that I have finished writing this for the blog, I am going out and having a BIG juicy burger on Boof......Go Twins!
Frank: We do agree on one thing, as we head into a laundry week full of Sox. . . Go Twins!
The Twins are on FSN North all week:
Tuesday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:30PM
Wednesday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:30 PM
Thursday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 12:30 PM
Friday: vs. Boston Red Sox, 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Boston Red Sox, 5:30PM
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