Interleague Play-Bring on the Brewers!

Frank: Well, a lot has happened with the Minnesota Twins since the last blog entry two ex-Cy-ting weeks ago, most of it good for us. Starting with an appearance by the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, C.C. Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians, continuing with pitcher Scott Baker adding his name to the list of 40 pitchers in Major League Baseball history with four strikeouts in an inning, and capped off Sunday by the Twins’ second three-game sweep in a row. That’s right, a perfect 6-0 homestand; it was a great week, led by the starting rotation. The Fantastic Five got all six wins last week and posted an ERA of 1.76.

The Twins were involved a little over a week ago with a couple of controversial calls related to the pace of the game and how umpires make calls. There was a disputed home run call that the umpires got right, without using instant replay -- which is under serious consideration, and might be in place by August. The next day, manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected for arguing after a play that could have resulted in an injury to one of his players. Earlier this year, we had a ball that looked to be foul called fair and a few other calls that may have been subjected to instant replay, if it had been installed. Gardy likes the idea of using replay for home run calls, but that’s it.

Bert, do you agree? Would it slow down the game too much? How do you feel about the pace of the game?

Bert: It's a shame that the umpires have so much control of a game that is not controlled by the clock. Once the first pitch is thrown in a game it's not over until the last out. Baseball is not controlled by quarters or halves. The Minnesota Twins are in the top five of all Major League teams as far as how quick their games are played. The umpires do control the batters getting into the batter’s box once an innings starts and they can hurry up the game when the manager or pitching coach comes out to talk to the pitcher or to make a pitching change. The umpire can make the pitcher throw the baseball toward home plate in 12 seconds, with no one on base, but they seldom do it! I think that's about all that the umpires should do. Let the game progress according to the players on the field. I feel too many umpires are too involved at times. To me a great baseball game, when it's all over, is one after which no single fan knows who the umpires were.
As far as instant replay for homeruns, I don't have a problem with that. I sure hope they don't include other things to be reviewed when, I feel, the game of baseball should be controlled by the men in blue and their calls. I bet 99.9% of the time the umpires are correct in their calls.
The executives of the game, along with the Commissioner of Baseball and the Players Association, will come to an agreement on what's best for the game. I believe this...

Frank: The same folks who are reviewing instant replay right now had an interesting idea back in the 1990s:
When interleague play was introduced in 1995, it was heavily criticized by so-called experts who did not want to disturb the delicate balance of baseball and its traditions. But most of them have been won over, or at least silenced, by the tantalizing matchups it makes possible. This week has been and will continue to be a perfect example for the Twins. After facing Cy Young Award winning pitchers Randy Johnson and Brandon Webb over the weekend, we will take on two more in the three-game series starting tonight in San Diego against the Padres. Tonight we hook up with powerful right-hander Jake Peavy, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Tomorrow night it's one of my personal favorites, four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux. I can still remember him pitching three consecutive complete games in his heyday with the Braves, throwing a total of about 270 pitches. This week he will test his efficiency and marksmanship against patient hitters like Alexi Casilla, Joe Mauer, and Justin Morneau. How do you think he will do? What do you know about the relative youngsters, Webb and Peavy? Do you like interleague play? What do you and don't you like about it?

Bert: It is a proven fact that baseball fans like interleague play and that's the bottom line for the 30 Major League teams. More revenue is brought into the stadiums when the opposing league comes into town. Of course, some of the biggest draws are the Yankees vs. Mets, Cubs vs. White Sox, Dodgers vs. Angels and maybe the Giants vs. the A's. But other than those rivalry series it's the same old thing. I think we should continue interleague play but cut it back to only six games. Let the Yankees play the Mets in a three-game series in each park and the other aforementioned teams play the six games in the same way. The Twins would play the Brewers in Minnesota and Milwaukee but that's it. I also feel that playing 18 games within your own division is too many games. Cut this down to 15 games and then, for the Twins fans, more American League teams will be making two trips to the Dome rather than once a year. For example, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim started the season in Minnesota on Opening Day. That's it! The only time they will be in Minnesota. This is not right! All American League teams should have to face each other at least 12 times. Cutting down on the games within the division and cutting back on interleague play would make this possible. [Some good ideas from a former big leaguer, but Bert’s math is a little off; that’s appropriate, though, because he is in California right now!]
It's great that the young Twins get to face the likes of Randy Johnson, Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy and Greg Maddux. As a former player, I know that you want to pitch or play against the best in the game. The Twins have already beaten the first two and let's hope they do the same against Peavy and Maddux in San Diego!

Frank: Speaking of interleague play:

Prince Fielder is one apple that didn't fall far from the tree. The Milwaukee Brewers' cleanup hitter inherited his rotund physique from his big daddy, "Big Daddy" Cecil Fielder. Although he is not a quick runner, Prince enjoys some of his speediest moments against the Twins. This weekend, the hefty, lumbering first baseman returns to the scene of his first major league inside-the-park home run. Last year, the younger Fielder (notice I didn't say the little one) hit a routine fly ball to center field at the Metrodome. When Lew Ford lost track of the ball in the afternoon light coming in the roof, he was off to the, well, um, . . . Fielder scored, eventually. Then a week and a half ago, the not so fresh Prince slid into third with a triple when his deep drive to center eluded Carlos Gomez. However, last Thursday afternoon he proved that he doesn't victimize only the Twins, as he hit his second inside-the-park home run against the Toronto Blue Jays! So the Twins need to be careful when he steps up to the plate, to hold him to no more than two bases. And, if he does get a base hit, we need to watch him closely. Is catcher Joe Mauer over his throwing slump, so he can keep Fielder from stealing bases? In the same vein, how is backup Mike Redmond's shoulder? What I really want to know is if Big Daddy ever went for extra bases against you? Did he terrorize you on the basepaths?

Bert: Big men like the Fielders are fun to watch. What tremendous power they can generate with their bat speed and their strength! I like watching Prince play the game because he plays hard, just like his dad did. Baseball isn't about height, weight and size. It's about being able to complete at the highest level and trying to be the best. Yes, it was fun to watch Prince run around the bases and the way he hustles. It was fun facing his dad when I pitched. I can bet you that Cecil never hit a triple off me but I bet you he probably took me deep a time or two....
Mauer went through a period were his throws to second where a little high but that was mainly because the runner had such a good jump off the pitcher. Joe has one of the best throwing arms in the game. Redmond's shoulder is fine but he's just not getting a lot of playing time because Mauer is catching almost every game. How does manager Ron Gardenhire keep Mauer out of the lineup and why would he? Joe can just flat out hit!

…Go Twins...

Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:

Wednesday: vs. San Diego at 8:30 PM
Thursday: vs. San Diego at 2:00 PM
Friday: vs. Milwaukee at 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Milwaukee at 5:30 PM

Happy Fathers Day

Frank: I know you don't like to talk about statistics, but I have one that I don't think you will mind discussing. For a long time this season, there were very few free passes in games played by the Twins. While we struggled to draw walks on offense, Twins' pitchers were pretty stingy with allowing them. But over the last month our offense has improved dramatically, and part of that improvement has been a significant increase in bases on balls. As we continue to move up the charts in walks taken, the pitching staff keeps throwing more strikes than anyone else in the major leagues. The pitchers have allowed the fewest walks in the majors, so what exactly does that mean to the defense? To the opposing hitters?

Bert: It's nice to have good control as a pitcher, but we have seen over the past two weeks where good control has hurt the Twins starting staff. Good control means different things to me! If the Twins starters have such good control, why can't they start knocking hitters off the plate so they don't continue to reach out over the plate and take advantage of this good control? The most important thing for a pitcher is to get strike one. The next most important thing is to keep the hitters off-balance so they can't continue to time your pitches. This means that you, as a pitcher, need to let the hitter know that you will be pitching to both sides of the plate. Pitching hard inside is a lost art, and I think over the past 10 games we have seen this from the Twins starters. I am not talking about hitting the batter; I am talking about pitching inside aggressively. It's too bad the Twins starters are allowing the opposing hitting to continue to hit hard line drives all over and out of the ballpark, night after night.
Sure it's good for the defense to know that you have good control, but it's also important to let your defense know that you won't allow the opposing team to consistently drive the ball past your defense or over their heads.

Frank: Well, how about the vastness of it?

The Twins have 13 pitchers on the roster right now, which means that there are only 12 spots for position players. That leaves Manager Ron Gardenhire with a limited number of possible substitutions for late-inning situations. He was already forced -- in the first game with this very short bench -- to use a pitcher as a pinch runner. The 13 pitchers should allow for a heavily worked bullpen, especially since we don't have an off day until next Monday. But the beginning of two more weeks of interleague play this weekend means that we will be needing to use our bench more, so we can pinch-hit for the pitchers. So what kind of moves could we make this week? What do you think we should do? What will we do?

Bert: 13 pitchers are too many. The front office needs to help manager Ron Gardenhire and his staff out now. Either designate one of the pitchers for assignment and take your chances that they will not be picked off the waiver wire or trade one of them. Every day the Twins carry 13 pitchers is another day that Gardy can't make the necessary moves to help this team win a ball game.

Frank: This Sunday, June 15, is Father's Day. I know that your father, Joe, is a big part of why we do this blog every week. He, like many fathers do for their sons (like mine), taught you the sport of baseball, and helped you fall in love with the game. That led you to a career (actually two careers) in the major leagues. My dad was born in Brooklyn in 1946, so my burning passion for the game came indirectly from Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers, who branded my father. For more about fathers and sons in baseball, our blog faithful can read the story on the right side of this page (I would highly recommend it!) Apart from the baseball aspect of your dad's life, he is the main reason why this blog exists. Do you want to talk about that, and about your father in general? Do you have some funny stories about him, which you could share in honor of Father's Day? Did your dad ever take you out for a beer in Milwaukee? Would he?

Bert: My dad was a big reason why I fell in love with baseball. He was a huge Dodgers fan and I used to listen to the games with him. My dad worked hard throughout his life to earn money for his family. With two brothers and four sisters, I know it was not easy for him to support the family. His release from his hard work was baseball. Many nights he wouldn't go the sleep until he knew the Dodgers score. He was my hero! To me every day is Father's Day because he is always on my mind and I miss him. He lost his life to Parkinson's, and watching him battle with this deadly disease has actually made me a stronger person. Every day on this earth is a gift and we should all feel this way. Enjoy each day as if it might be your last. Be the best person you can be and at the end, you will be rewarded. I miss my dad but he is in my heart every single day.

Frank: Your dad taught you well, but enough with all the serious stuff. We don’t have these blog entries every week to make people cry, so let’s move on to the lighter side of baseball:

Joe Mauer finally went deep last week -- to the delight of the Metrodome crowd -- not once, but twice. He hit both home runs off left-handed pitchers, belying the old theory that left-handed hitters struggle against southpaws. Also homering for the first time was Delmon Young, who hit his home run Saturday night in Chicago. These two, now that they are off the snide, might be able to hit round trippers more frequently (let’s hope so). And “Casilla Later” struck again, as new slugger Alexi Casilla hit his third homer of the year (and third of his career) Friday night in the Windy City, a night when the nickname was apt. The wind may have helped Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Gomez join the long ball parade. Throw in one from big bopper Jason Kubel yesterday afternoon, and the Twins had a productive week, hitting seven home runs. The home run production has spread out now to include everyone expected to contribute. Now we need to watch for slugger Justin Morneau to hit a couple this week in road games against the Central Division of each league -- this afternoon we finish a disappointing four-game set with the Chicago White Sox, who lead the second-place Twins by five and a half games in the American League Central, then it’s off to Cleveland for three games (our first trip there this season) -- this weekend we open the second round of interleague play against our “geographical rivals,“ the Milwaukee Brewers. But power production is just one thing to look forward to. Here are some others:

1) The stability of the lineup, especially if Casilla can play this afternoon, should help over the final week of the grueling 40-game, 41-day marathon, despite further depletion of our infield by injury.
2) We will see if Glen Perkins can return to form starting this afternoon and continuing Saturday. Being on the road might help, after a couple of rough outings in front of the home folks at the Metrodome.
3) As Scott Baker regains strength, he should be able to last longer than the five innings he pitched Thursday. He will try to shut down the rival Indians on Tuesday, and then return to the mound Sunday in Milwaukee, the scene of his triumphant 2007 debut.
`
I know I speak for Bert when I say, “Go Twins!”

Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:
Tuesday: vs. Cleveland at 5:30 PM
Wednesday: vs. Cleveland at 5:30 PM
Thursday: vs. Cleveland at 5:30 PM
Friday: vs. Milwaukee at 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Milwaukee at 5:30 PM

Pitching

Frank: The Minnesota Twins capped off an exciting week yesterday with a 6-5 victory over the perennially powerful New York Yankees, splitting a four-game series. Including the three-game sweep in Kansas City last week, we went 5-2 in the last seven days, a very good week. The team keeps scoring runs at an impressive clip; I asked Bert if we could keep it going:

The Twins were struggling to score runs early in the season, and I asked you a question about it. You told me to be patient and give the offense time to heat up. Well now, I guess you were right in predicting things would improve; it's funny how those 23 years of Major League experience pay off. Through the end of April, we had only averaged 3.8 runs a game, near the bottom of the league. But since then we have turned it on, scoring 5.5 times per outing to move up to fourth in the league in runs scored. Hitters like Carlos Gomez, Alexi Casilla, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Mike Lamb have raised their batting averages significantly, some just recently. Can we keep it going against the American League East? How about the Central; will we score enough to better our already impressive 18-9 division record?

Bert: Before I respond to your questions and comments, I just want to let everyone know that Nick Blackburn had x-rays and the ball that the Yankees‘ Bobby Abreu hit back at him was deflected just a little bit by Nick's glove and probably saved him from losing some teeth and maybe even more damage. We all are thankful he was not hurt worse than he was, especially Abreu, because no hitter wants to see this happen.

Yes, Frank, you need to listen to older people. We have been through the battles and we know that things aren’t always as bad as they seem, when time is on your side. The Twins offense took some time to come together, but the patience of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire and his staff is paying off. Will the offense continue to improve in runs averaged per game? Time will tell!

Frank: The Twins have some young, pitchers in the rotation. And while Boof Bonser and Scott Baker are not veterans like Livan Hernandez, they were the most experienced starters we had until signing Hernandez. Right now, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Nick Blackburn are all pitching really well. Their ERA’s are all under 4.00. Tonight Slowey takes the mound at the Metrodome against the Baltimore Orioles, and then Wednesday night it's Perkins. Friday night will be Blackburn's turn at US Cellular field in Chicago, as he takes on the rival White Sox. What do you think of these young men and their ability to keep the ball in the ballpark? Do you think they can keep up the great work? Of the three, who is eligible for Rookie of the Year?

Bert: The starting pitching has had their ups and downs throughout the season. Giving up home runs is a part of the game and I always say, “Just make sure they are solo if you can help it!” The young pitchers will be hot and cold throughout the season, but that's what a 162-day schedule will bring them. Baker looks like he might return to the rotation this week, so we will have to wait and see what moves the Twins make to clear room in the rotation for him. Blackburn is my choice for Rookie of the Year right now over Slowey (who is not even eligible) and Perkins. But again, even though I probably sound like a broken record, time will tell!

Frank: Well, I think you forget that the vinyl record is a thing of the past! Music is all on newfangled electronic stuff these days! Speaking of which, here is a new fangle:

With Boof Bonser heading to the bullpen as fellow right-hander Scott Baker returns to the team Thursday after rehabilitating from a groin injury, the Twins lose an anchor of the starting rotation, one who has been there for a couple years and 60 starts. Could you discuss the new role he will have as a reliever? I remember hearing you and Dick talking once about the difficulty for a starter to adjust to coming out of the bullpen, why is that? It seems like pitching is pitching. Do you think that Boof will be able to adjust?

Bert: What will the Twins do when Scott Baker comes back? Since Boof is the starter who has struggled the most, it does look like he would be the likely candidate to head to the bullpen. That would mean 13 pitchers on the 25 player staff for the Twins! Way too many pitchers to try and keep happy! Boof is out of options and the Twins don't want to lose him. The only good news is that for the first time in a long time, the Twins have too many starting pitchers. Remember too that Francisco Liriano is getting stronger in Triple-A. I can tell you one thing and that is that Boof Bonser does not want to be a reliever and he will not be happy going to the bullpen. It's just one more thing for pitching coach Rick Anderson to try and figure out how to keep his pitchers focused.

Frank: Maybe Bonser needs a mentor . . . his team could do a lot worse than hooking him up with a draft pick this week (before the real amateur draft):

The Twins will take part this Thursday in a ceremonial draft of surviving Negro League players. The Negro Leagues, for those who don't know, were comprised of the racially segregated baseball teams that existed before the integration of the sport. They were founded in 1920 in Kansas City, and operated until 1960. So being almost 50 years old, there aren’t many survivors But the Twins found a native of the Midwest, Bill Bell, to draft. Bell -- from Des Moines, Iowa -- pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs. I don’t suppose you know anything about Bell, but what do you know about the Negro Leagues in general? . I remember buying a fascinating book titled “Only the Ball was White” at the Negro Leagues Museum, also in Kansas City.

Bert: Over my playing career I the opportunity to play with many African-American players. Baseball, through this year’s amateur draft, is honoring many of the black players that didn't get a chance to play in the Major Leagues until Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers broke the color barrier. This is a great thing that baseball is doing to remember these terrific athletes. I have never met Bill Bell but I can only guess that he will be very excited to sit at the Twins table during the draft!

Frank: Right fielder Michael Cuddyer is coming out of a slump -- which saw his batting average drop to .228 with just one home run and 19 RBI in 36 games -- that followed his three weeks spent on the disabled list, recovering from a finger injury. During the Yankees series, Cuddyer had nine hits in 18 at-bats (a .500 average), with his second homer of the year and six runs driven in. His continued offensive production is one of many things to look forward to that would help the Twins this week:
1) A quality start from Scott Baker – who starts again Thursday, four weeks after going on the disabled list with a strained groin muscle. He has been rehabilitating in the minors; and now he is ready to come back.
2) Continued production, not only from Cuddyer, but also from Joe Mauer, who hit his first home run of the season last night, and Delmon Young, who drove in the winning run yesterday with one of his three RBI doubles.
3) A triumphant return to the mound Friday night in Chicago for Nick Blackburn, who left the field in horror Sunday at the Metrodome. Ditto for Kevin Slowey tonight, who threw the first complete game of his career last week in Kansas City

Check out the Twins on FSN North this week:
Tuesday: vs. Baltimore, 6:30PM
Wednesday: vs. Baltimore, 6:30 PM
Friday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 6:30 PM
Saturday: vs. Chicago White Sox, 5:30PM