Frank: The Minnesota Twins won another series at home last week -- our 11th in a row -- over the Oakland A’s, and then headed off to LA for the opening four-game series of a marathon road trip. So while we are missing the entire State Fair, hopefully we can ride the rotation well beyond the midway point of games, show off our pride winning bull(pen), or just base some wins on our sticks.
In the last eight weeks, only one left-handed starting pitcher has beaten the Twins, Cliff Lee. During that span, the Twins had previously become the only American League team to beat Lee (that's still true). He might win the AL Cy Young Award this year, so it took the best lefty around to beat us (17 others tried). Left-handed hitters like Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Denard Span have shown a rare knack for hitting against left-handed pitchers. Newcomer Randy Ruiz has helped so far, too. What do you think of the Twins' greatness against lefties? Can it carry over into this week?Bert: Isn't it strange how a baseball season has its ups and downs? The first half of the season the Twins offense really had a tough time against left-handed starters. Now they are having very good success! Sometimes it's who that left-hander is, how well he is pitching at the time when the Twins play his club, and the run support he gets early in the game. The Twins will be facing a lot of left-landed pitchers over the next week, but these lefties are mainly ones who do not have a lot of Major League experience. Let's hope the Twins batters can figure these pitchers out early and get our starters some early run support.
Frank: A great turn through the rotation last week -- three of the five starters lasted eight innings each and the other two posted wins and combined for twelve innings, yielding just one earned run while striking out 17 -- left the bullpen rested and fresh. How important will it be down the stretch for the relievers to get rest? What happened Sunday, and how do we prevent it from happening again?
Bert: If the Twins want to win the division it will come down to quality starts by the starters. Five or six innings isn't going to do it, because that just puts more innings on the bullpen. It's time now for all the young starters to catch their second or third wind and continue to pitch deeper into the game. I always say you win division titles and pennants with good starting pitching and good defense. The Twins don't hit home runs like some other teams, such as the White Sox, so they need to continue to drive in runs with great timely hitting. This is one reason why they are having a successful season, because they lead the Major Leagues in hitting with runners in scoring position.
What happened Sunday is that the Angels are great team and never give up. The first sign of a championship club! The Twins are also a club that never gives up so you have games like Sunday. Remember that the Twins have done exactly what the Angels did many times this season themselves.
Frank: The Minnesota State Fair opened last Thursday, one day after you left town on the current road trip. And you won't get back until after the Fair's annual Labor Day close. I know you are not a Midwesterner by birth, but usually you are in the Twin Cities for at least a little bit of the event, right? Have you ever been there? If so, what are your favorite things to do there? If not, did you ever go to a fair as a kid? What about during your playing career? Ever play the carnival game where you try to knock down bowling pins by throwing a ball at them? If you have, did you ever give up a home run? Seriously, though, did anyone ever recognize you and make you stand further away, or make you throw a wiffle ball? Is there anything you want me to see, eat, or milk for you while I am at the Fair?Bert: I have never been to the Minnesota State Fair. When my kids were younger we went to fairs and they were fun. The games they have are fun to play and I especially liked the dunk tank. Throw a baseball at the bull’s eye and if you hit it, you knock the person off his or her seat into the tank. There was a guy in Florida one time that sat on the seat and was very rude to the crowd as you walked by. He said something smart to my kids and I didn't like what he said. SO, I bought the three balls that you get and I hit the bull’s eye on the first shot! He went into the tank...he got back up and said something smart again and I knocked him back into the tank on my second throw...once more he got back on his seat and just when he was about to open his smart mouth again I threw the third baseball...once again he was eating water. This time he got back on his seat, looked at me and said, "Have a nice day. You have great kids." My kids thanked me and we walked away proud! People around us at the time cheered as we walked into the sunset...
At the Minnesota State Fair I know they have everything on a stick. Do they have Coors Light on a stick? I was told that the pork chops on a stick are pretty good. Try them and let me know what you think! Have a great time at the Fair and Go Twins. You are all hereby "Circled."
Let’s get going against the left-handers, tonight!
Check out the Twins this week on FSN North: (with one hour pre game shows LIVE from the Minnesota State Fair!)
Tuesday, Aug 26: vs. Seattle/ 8:00 PM
Wedensday, Aug 27: vs Seattle/ 2:30 PM
Thursday, Aug 28: vs. Oakland/ 8:00 PM
Friday, Aug 29: vs. Oakland/ 8:00 PM
Saturday, Aug 30: vs. Oakland/ 7:00 PM
The FSN North booth at the Minneosta State Fair is located on the corner of Judson and Cooper (right next to the Minnesota Twins tent!) come check it out! --Record your own "sports update" and meet our on-air personalities!
Frank: The Minnesota Twins had another big week at home, winning two more series at the Dome. Going 5-1, we extended our series victory streak to an impressive 10 in a row at the Metrodome. Yesterday Glen Perkins notched victory number 10, taking the lead for a day, at least. Nick Blackburn will try to catch Perkins tonight, and Kevin Slowey will do the same tomorrow night, both against the Oakland A’s.
DH/outfielder Jason Kubel had a remarkable series this weekend against the Seattle Mariners, with eight hits – including a home run and two doubles – and six RBI in 10 at –bats, scoring five runs. His continued offensive production is one of many things to look for that would help the Twins this week. Here are some other things:
1) Second baseman Alexi Casilla should be with the team when it flies to Anaheim after the Oakland series wraps up Wednesday afternoon. The Twins could use his patience and productivity against the tough Angels pitchers during the four games this weekend.
2) The Twins lead the American League in sacrifice bunts, and the major leagues in sacrifice flies. Maybe we can keep up the small ball to manufacture more big runs. Despite not having a home run hitter in the AL’s top 20, we have raised our run production to over five per game, and are close to second in the league in runs scored.
As Bert Blyleven is off this week, I didn’t ask him anything. So this is Bert’s Buddy with all of his friends signing off!
Frank: Well, the Minnesota Twins are making an old habit of the road trip rebound. And now, we are left with a huge nine-game home stand, beginning tonight against the talented, high-priced New York Yankees. When the Yankees leave Minneapolis after the three-game series wraps up Wednesday afternoon (Yes, FSN will broadcast the game, starting at 11:30 in the morning), we will prepare for three more against the Seattle Mariners this weekend.
The Twins stole a few bases this one weekend in Kansas City, more than we have in a while. Because Bert Blyleven is a spewing font of knowledge, I asked him about this slowdown. It’s hard to believe, but I asked him this question only 16 weeks ago:The Twins are stealing a lot more bases this year than last -- not surprisingly, given the additions of Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young. But Ron Gardenhire has always been a rather conservative manager. Will he reign in the running game at some point to avoid running into outs, or keep it flying when the Twins are not down by more than one?At the time, three weeks into the season, the Twins were tied for the league lead in stolen bases and near the bottom in almost every other offensive category. Boy, how things have changed! While we are still among the lesser home run hitting teams, we are now in the top five in the league in batting average and runs scored. But the running game, at least the base stealing, has stalled a bit. Can you lend some insight as a former pitcher into the connection between stolen bases and batting average? Would you say that the base running of the Twins has to do with the batting average and the run production?Bert: Frank, you’re right when you say the Twins base stealing has slowed down since the beginning of the season, but their aggressive base running has not! Denard Span has taken over the leadoff spot in the line-up with speedy Carlos Gomez now batting ninth in the order. Every game is different and there are so many things that come into play when a manager decides to ask a base runner to steal a base: Is the opposing pitcher left-handed or right-handed? What kind of move does he have to first base? How quick is he toward home plate? Does he have a high leg kick or does he use the slide-step? Who is catching and how strong is his arm throwing to second base or third? What is the score, the outs and what inning is it? How is the tempo of the game going? Does your team need a stolen base at this time or do you leave the hole open at first since the first basemen is holding on the runner? Who is hitting? Would maybe a hit and run work better then a straight steal of second? Is the pitcher throwing strikes or is he all over the place? If he is wild do we even need to send the runner, because he may walk the batter? How good of a jump does the runner need and does he look comfortable with his lead? I'm sure these are only a few thoughts that go through Gardy's mind when Gomez, Span, Delmon Young or any other potential base stealer gets on first base.
I got a headache just thinking of what might or might not happen when a runner gets to first! Imagine what Gardy thinks about every inning! (These migraines are why I like to call him MSGardenhire!)
The Twins don't have the consistent power that some other teams have so they have to manufacture runs. One thing that we have seen throughout the season is that the Twins try to take the extra base as much as possible. Going from first to third on a base hit and getting a good lead at second base so you can score on a base hit are important in scoring runs. This type of base running will be needed the rest of the season if the Twins want to stay in the race.
Frank: Tonight we begin the second half of our home-and-home series with the Yankees. The Twins will have the same three pitchers start against them who began the games in New York three weeks ago. Also, this weekend the home stand continues with the Seattle Mariners, whom we played just last week. Two of our three starters will match up again with the club. Carlos Silva makes his return to the Dome Friday night, his first time pitching there since leaving the Twins last offseason after four years with the Twins.
Do you think anyone has an advantage when a batter faces the same pitcher a second time within a few weeks? If so, who? Silva will not have pitched in a week. Does that mean he will be hit hard?
Bert: The Twins record (39-21) shows that they love playing at home. Let's just hope that with this upcoming home stand the magic continues. The Yankees are always a tough opponent and it should be an interesting three-game series, followed by the same with the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's. Pitching match-ups are always the first thing fans look at when there is an upcoming series. Who is facing whom and how has that certain pitcher fared against the other team. I have always said that any Major League pitcher can beat any Major League opponent if he has his good stuff that particular night. Yes, Ponson has pitched well against the Twins over his career, but maybe this time out he won't have his good sinker working. Maybe Silva will have his sinker working and will get a lot of double plays turned behind him. This is what I love about the game of baseball. Each day and each game is so different. If a pitcher makes his pitches then the advantage goes to the pitcher, but if the pitcher is missing his spots and hanging some breaking balls then the hitters have the advantage. Let's wait and see who is on and who is making the mistakes.
Frank: The Beijing Olympics kicked off this weekend and on Wednesday the baseball competition gets underway. This year might be the last Olympics ever with baseball, sadly enough. The active players on Major League Baseball teams' 25-man rosters are ineligible, but Japan allows its best professionals a break from their pennant chases. What about you? Did you try out for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics as a high school hot shot? Since pitchers are such great athletes, maybe you could have run with Lee Evans, jumped with Bob Beamon, or swum with Mark Spitz. What is your personal motto? Is it Citius, Altius, Fortius (swifter, higher, stronger)?
Bert: I will be following not only the United States in the Olympic Games, but also the Netherlands and Canada. I was born in Holland but left when I was two years old, so I am always curious to see how the athletic teams from the Netherlands do against the rest of the world. I also will be following the Canadian athletics because my family spent four years in Canada before we came to the United States in 1957. Now living in the United States since I was six years old, I am very proud of U.S. athletics. I know we live in the greatest country in the world, so GO USA! Hopefully the U.S. baseball team will make us all proud and if it's the last Olympics for baseball, then bring home the gold!
I could never run with Lee Evans, jump with Bob Beamon, or swim with Mark Spitz. . BUT...I bet I could have struck them out!!!!!
My motto is: Do the best you can with the talent you have. Look in the mirror and ask yourself this simple question, "Am I getting the best out of myself today and can I be better today then I was yesterday?"
Every day is a gift so make the most of today! We are not guaranteed tomorrow…
God Bless all the readers and the Twins fans.
Go Twins and the USA...Check out the Twins this week on FSN North:Monday, Aug 11: vs. NY Yankees (6:30PM)Tuesday, Aug 12: vs. NY Yankees (6:30 PM)Wednesday, Aug 13: vs. NY Yankees (11:30 PM)Friday, Aug 15: vs. Seattle (6:30PM)
Frank: What a Treat! Even during his phenomenal rookie season of 2006, Francisco Liriano was never more saintly than he was Sunday at the Metrodome, producing a litany of six shutout innings to take the lead as the Minnesota Twins went marching into first place in the American League Central Division. Another great week for the Twins was capped off by the return of the real “San Francisco Treat.”We talked last week about home field advantage. The Twins certainly enjoyed the weeklong home stand, taking the division lead, and this week we hit the road for series against the only two American League teams with losing home records. Will these series, at the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals, be easy for the Twins to win? If not, will it be even harder without injured second baseman Alexi Casilla? Will new call-up Randy Ruiz have an impact against lefties, starting with Jarrod Washburn Wednesday afternoon?
Bert: You take nothing for granted in the game of baseball. Even though the Mariners and the Royals have losing records the Twins need to continue to take one game at a time and try to win each series. Seattle has had a tough year. Some baseball experts had them competing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (a mouth full), but that hasn’t happened and right now they have the worst record in the American League. This will be the first time the Twins have seen the Mariners and we play them nine times this month, in two three-game series in Seattle and one three-game series at the Dome. The Royals seem to always play well against the Twins, even though the Twins have won seven of the first nine meetings with them. It will be the last time the Twins will be in Kansas City this season. Too bad because I love the ballpark there! The good thing is that the Twins are 5-1 in Kansas City so far this season.
Livan Hernandez and Craig Monroe were released by the Twins to make room for LHP Francisco Liriano and right-handed power hitter Randy Ruiz. Good move by the Twins! Liriano is ready to show now that he belongs again at the Major League level; and good for Randy Ruiz! He has spent 10 years in the minors and has played for eight different organizations, and finally he gets an opportunity in the majors. I love hearing stories about guys that don't give up on their dreams. Ruiz played on Friday night against the Cleveland Indians, and in his third Major League at bat he singled to right field against LHP Jeremy Sowers for his first Major League hit. Congratulations to him for his dedication and commitment to baseball! Hopefully he can continue to hit LHP because that's one reason the Twins released Craig Monroe. Frank: With one of the roster moves made by the Twins last week, releasing Livan Hernandez and promoting Francisco Liriano to take his spot on the starting staff, the team completed the young rotation many have wanted for a while. As a former starting pitcher, do you think that Hernandez achieved the goals the Twins had when we signed him last winter? Why was he released a day after the trade deadline instead of being traded for something? Is Liriano ready? How long will it take for him to adjust to the major leagues? Will his April experience help him adjust more quickly?Bert: I'm sure the Twins tried to trade Livan Hernandez and Craig Monroe before the trading deadline but you have to have someone interested in picking up their remaining salary to trade them. Once the trading deadline passed the Twins decided to make their move. I feel that Hernandez did a good job for the Twins’ starting rotation but it was time to make a move because it looks like Francisco is ready and Livan had really struggled lately. I wish Hernandez and Monroe nothing but the best. They represented the Twins organization with class. I also believe the young pitchers will do a good job the remainder of the season without the veteran leadership of Hernandez. The young pitchers had four months, plus spring training, to watch how Livan got hitters out by mainly changing speeds and using the corners on the plate.
Frank: Last time you spent an off day in Kansas City, we talked about Gates BBQ, and how you love to eat barbecue when you are there. But I know that you are also a big burger fan. So, have you ever been to Winstead's? It's an old favorite spot in KC; is there any chance that you won't go there for a meal this Thursday? I would recommend that after your "steakburger," you finish off the meal with a malt or a chocolate "frosty," a drink that eats like a meal (They recommend using a spoon.)
Bert: If the malt or the chocolate "frosty" drink eats like a meal, then why would I need a burger? Are you trying to get me fatter? If I have time I will try and eat at Winstead's. I know I am playing golf on the off day in KC so maybe that can be my evening meal. Thanks for the tip. But I'm sure I will also make a trip to Gates!
Go Twins and you be safe.
Frank: Slugger Justin Morneau had a huge series against the Chicago White Sox, going
5 for 14 with two home runs and 10 RBIs. His continued offensive production is one of many things to look for that would help the Twins “Go” this week. Here are some other things:
1) The home run production as a whole picked up last week, with seven in seven games. But it’s probably not the return of the Homerdome, as we are tied for last in the league in long balls. However, keeping it up on the road might help ease the pressure on our young starting pitchers.
2) Kevin Slowey tied the other three young starters with his seventh victory, briefly, last Monday. Glen Perkins passed him the following day; then things changed a lot Friday. First Francisco Liriano was called up to replace struggling veteran Livan Hernandez, meaning 26-year-old Scott Baker is now the father figure of the rotation. Then Nick Blackburn tied Perkins with his eighth win, the new team lead. Slowey will try to even his record, again, this weekend in Kansas City.
3) Michael Cuddyer is flying to Rochester, New York today to play a few games for the Triple-A Red Wings, hoping to rejoin the Twins either before or after the series in KC. We look forward to getting his bat and outfield presence back in the lineup every day. Matt Tolbert is also rehabilitating and hopes to return this month. The Twins could use his speed and versatility.
Go Twins tonight in Seattle!
