Game 155: Minnesota @ Tampa Bay
Posted by FirstTimeLongTime on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Kevin Slowey (xFIP 4.03)
Scott Kazmir (xFIP 4.27)
The roller coaster ride continues. After Thursday nights exhilarating victory the Twins put up a total stinker last night. As per the season it seems.
As of this morning the Twins pitching staff has already given up 33 home runs this month. To put that in perspective, the only month that the Twins gave up more than 30 home runs was in June when Minnesota gave up 35 dingers. Today's date is September 20th. With two games remaining against the Rays along with 3 against the White Sox, and 3 against the Royals, I think it safe to assume that we will pass June's home run record sometime either today or tomorrow.
The good news is that the Twins team is scoring some runs (Last night excluded, naturally). The Twins are now 4th in the majors in runs scored which is pretty interesting considering they are 16th in team OPS so far this season. Even more startling is that the Twins are 22nd in extra base hits , which, considering our record is crazy. Granted, we all know that it has something to do with that crazy RISP AVG but from what I have gathered "regressing to the mean" has become a four letter word of sorts in these parts so I am going to try to avoid going into further detail about the said four letter word.
All in all it seems the more runs we score, the more runs we give up, which, all things considered, is not Twins baseball.
I know that there is still some baseball left in this season. As a fan it is all that we have; hope, staying positive, and each other.
My best friend's father passed away this week and it has gotten me to thinking about this Twins season and how, without each other, some of us might not even be watching games anymore. On Sunday, when the news came in that my friend's father had passed my friends are I were all crushed. This man was a great father and a friend to every single of his son's friends. This is a lot, considering he had five of them. We felt terrible for the whole family: the brothers, the sisters, the cousins, most importantly my friend's mother.
Then the wake happened and we all began talking to each other, telling stories about the man who had such a strong influence on all of our lives. Remembering how he used to sneak us beers when we were 18. About how he would drive us, as kids, to whichever Shopping Mall a Buffalo Bills players was signing autographs that day. Telling stories about how every Friday night he would buy pizza and wings for all of his son's friends. No matter how old they got or how many friends they had. By then end, I will tell you what, he had to be ordering like $400 worth of pizza every Friday night.
After the wake we headed to a favorite bar of his. We talked, we drank, we reminisced as the night drew to a close any grief or sorrow over our lost was replaced by feelings of good will and strong memories of the man with whom many of us had enjoyed our first beer. Remembering the man for how he had changed not only his son's lives for the better but each of ours as well.
Which brings me to my point, this is my first season here as a citizen and I am so appreciative of everyone here. Regardless of this season plays out, I have people to enjoy the highs with and, as of late, I have people to complain a bout the lows with as well. I mean, if I start rattling on about the Twins in Buffalo, well, most people just seem to politely walk away.
I don't mean to come off as crass by comparing death to baseball. Quite obviously there are differences, rather important ones, no doubt. I just wanted to point out that how as citizens, if the Twins totally shit the bed and lose every single one of their games the rest of the season that we have a place to talk it over with people. A place to commiserate about what could have been, and a place to remember the good times, too
And that is what we cannot forget; this Twins team has exceeded expatiations and included itself in a pennant race. No one though that this team was going to be where it is right now in April. So lets appreciate what we have right now, enjoy every second of it because who knows.... next year the AL Central is not going to be any easier.
And I thought that the game started at 12:30 central time. Clearly, I cannot read.
A little milestone here. This is the 5000th post at the WGOM.
Congrats. I am honored to be a part of it. And to SBG and JeffA, thanks for your wishes. The family is handling everything famously.
Thanks for a really good post, FTLT. Life is damned short. This has been a really tough week for my extended family -- my uncle has been diagnosed with lung cancer and emphysema and one of my aunt's demons seem poised to overtake her. Enjoy the good days when they are here.
I'm late to the party. Outstanding lead-in FTLT. It's good to be reminded every now and then what a special little community this has been.
My prayers are with FTLT's friend's family and with SBG's family. Hang in there, guys.
I saw the time the game started, and noticed it was a Fox time slot. Then I checked what other games they were showing. First one: Cubs / Cards. Yeah, unless there's rain, there's NO way they're showing the Twins over that one where I live.
Good post FTLT. It's true. I came to this site 2 years ago during the amazing 2006 campaign. Living out of market, I feel quite isolated from other Twins fans. Coming here makes me feel welcome and part of a comraterie (sp?). I find that most of the people here are much more statistically geeky than I am (I'm an actuary for crying out loud). But more than anything, I get to discuss one of my all time favorite things with others... the Minnesota Twins.
I said this in CoC, but this series has put something else in perspective, just how freakin' good the Rays are. I like their team. They remind me a little of the A's in the early part of the decade, or heck, even the Twins from back then. I certainly wish them the best, and if the Twins can't do it this year, I'll happily be part of their bandwagon. I just wish that if the Twins DID make it, the Rays would not be the first team we face. Not because I know they'll kick our buts, but because I'd rather see them in the ALCS.
I think, from the sounds of things, that the Rays ought to be the official bandwagon team of the WGOM.
I'm gonna jump in on the "thanks for providing a great online Twins game environment for us displaced Twins fans" train. Also, this is the first online community I've been involved with that actually allows new people to join in on the conversation. Usually, I go to a message board as a new guy (not the prediction making type) and the conversation dies as soon as I say anything, even when I'm on topic.
To end this ramble, why does Fox suck balls when it comes to HD. Every other channel works find for me, but Fox is always messed up to the point of unwatchable. Anyone else have this problem?
I blame Tim McCarver.
Ha, if only that could be. I have the Brewers-Reds game, and it didn't sound like McCarver was calling it. (I know this because I did not need to take 5 shots of bad vodka to be able to watch it.)
Ah well, CC Sabbathia or no, the Ryder Cup is much more interesting anyway.
Considering that the Rays have Garza, Bartlett and Balfour, if we don't make the playoffs they will be my team of choice. They're sort of like the Minnesota Twins del Sur.
I predict that things will go better for the Twins today than they did last night.
Well, they have to, right?
Since I brewed a batch and have achieved comfortably buzzing right before the game started, I say yes, things have to go better for the Twins today.
Come on, Joe, lengthen that batting average lead.
It would be really nice to see a 1-2-3 bottom of the first.
Did I hear correctly that the writers' choice for MVP of the Rays was Jason Bartlett? I mean, I like Barlett and all, but really? The MVP of the Rays is Jason Bartlett?
It's because he developed so much urgency and leadership as a Twin. Well, as a Red Wing actually.
Dazzle: Bartlett is what we call a baseball player.
Well, that's good. I'm not sure what he'd be doing out there otherwise.
With the Twins game being blacked out and the UB Bulls/Mizzo game not being on TV, I have the Twins on my laptop and college football on my radio. The truth is, I can't really hear anything. Looks like gameday for both games.
Okay, Harris, let's bring someone home.
Well, Nick, it's up to you.
Getting out of the first in a scoreless tie feels like the Twins have the lead after the last two games.
Rats.
Put up another zero, Kevin. I think the Twins are going to get to Kazmir if it stays close.
Finally, one of those goes foul.
Moss is thinking Bartlett would like to show Gardenhire where he can shove that MVP award.
Oh, and he'd probably mention how he hopes Gardenhire enjoys watching him in the playoffs too.
Bartlett's OPS+ the last three years: 99 (06), 88 (07), 80 (08).
Bartlett's range factor per nine innings: 4.22
AL average range factor per nine innings: 4.39
Bartlett's fielding percentage: .970
AL average fielding percentage: .971
I know all these numbers don't tell the whole story but these tell me Bartlett is a lot closer to an average shortstop than to "Team MVP." I also don't see how the Twins would be much improved with Bartlett still in the fold, especially if Everett had been healthy and was playing defense as advertised (which has been the second biggest problem for the Twins next to the bullpen woes).
Would you undo the entire trade, though?? Moss would.
And Bartlett always got the doghouse treatment from Gardenhire, for no clear reason.
The Tampa org has thought all year long that Bartlett on board has made a huge difference in the team.
I didn't like the trade from day one. Hell yes, I'd undo the trade. That would have eliminated the incentive to sign Adam Neverhit and, perhaps, would have led to pursuit of a functional right-handed bat in the FA market.
and I would have put Kubel in LF a lot. How much worse could he possibly have been defensively than _elmon??
Garza in the rotation probably means no Glen Perkins (or Perk as a middle/long reliever). That would have been a small improvement as well.
It seems even more critical to get the win playing the early game today. If you win, it puts pressure on the Sox to win to avoid losing ground to the Twins, if you lose, then the Sox know they won't lose ground to the Twins and can gain a game.
Gomez must have set a new record this year for bunt attempts. If not, then it at least has to be a record for the lively-ball era.
What's the fun of having all those catwalks if they're not in play?
I am stepping out for a bit. Hope to come back to something better than 0-0.
Slowey has thrown quite a few pitches this inning.
And as soon as I say that, there goes a two-run double.
F***ing catwalks.
Tropicana Field has to be the worst stadium ever built in any sport ever.
You just knew something bad was going to happen after that popup hit the catwalk. That's the way its been going lately.
Yep, we've spent the last month regressing to the mean when it comes to lucky breaks.
Come on, Twins. Bounce back.
Prince Fielder just appeared to try to punch the catcher in the face, that was funny.
Did he have his mask on? That would make it even better.
Yeah, it was still on. That's probably why Fielder missed as much as he did.
How's that strike zone today, folks that can see the game? It looked like Joe just took five strikes in a row before the single.
Second and third, none out. We need to score at least two this inning.
Marty Cordova had the Twins' single-season doubles record? I mean, I know he had a couple of good years, but given all the good hitters the Twins have had, I'm very surprised to hear that.
That reminds me of a game I was at at the Dome against the Indians in Cordova's first year there. Fans were booing him... that was not the most intelligent collection of fans to attend a Twins game.
Kazmir is beginning to struggle a bit here. Hope we can capitalize.
For crying out loud, what's going on out there?
WTF? You have to try for a run there. You have to.
The Twins have no one to blame but themselves. They have not been playing like a team that has any business in the playoffs.
Well, that was a bit disheartening.
Fuck. What. The. Fuck.
What a frigging wasted opportunity. Two runners in scoring position with no outs and we don't score run.
What happened on that play? How in the hell does a fly ball NOT score Mauer? Gameday doesn't even begin to explain it.
Did Ullger stop Mauer? What was that?
Gordo and Dazzle were unclear on that, so I'm blaming Ullger just on general principles.
My only guess is that Mauer bluffed a tag and Morneau thought he was going
Mauer did bluff, and it's unclear whether he was told to hold up or decided on his own.
However, Morneau probably should have been anchored to 2B anyway. Even if Mauer goes, the Rays would have done well to cut off the ball and cut down Morneau at 3B.
Moss did think that Ullger should have had Mauer scoring on Morneau's double. It looked like he would have scored with ease.
The rays announcers were saying that it was a rare collapse of fundamental skill leading to the DP. I know that they don't see the Twins that often, but this season the Twins have been anything but fundamentally sound and everyone should know that.
I suppose it's a little easier to accept not making the playoffs when you know they don't deserve it.
Who am I kidding...it still sucks big time. I wonder if Gardy's philosophy of being easy on his players to keep them relaxed needs to be shaken up a bit. Maybe Gardy needs to throw a tantrum to rattle some cages.
You know what? It's sunny and 75 degrees, clear blue sky, must a hint of a breeze. Fall is coming on fast, the sumac is turning red. I think I'll just go out and mow the lawn and spend a little time outdoors. I'll check back in a bit later. Keep it close, citizens.
Second and third, nobody out. There's no reason to think a team could score in that situation.
See?
Wow. I just watched the Indians-Tigers brawl. Sheffield has reached new levels of douchbaggery.
DazzL: this one pulled foul off the bag at first, will rattle around in the corner...
Me: Hrm. Foul balls usually don't advance runners, the crowd rarely goes wild over foul balls, some how I think he meant fair. Oh well, the details get in the way sometimes.
I wonder what it would be like to have radio announcers who actually told you what was going on in the game.
Me too, friend, me too.
Rays taking an inning from our playbook
Things I wish weren't made: The remake of Knight Rider.
Well, one wasted scoring opportunity deserves another. Hopefully, the Twins got a lift from getting out of that jam and will get their offense going.
Dazzle just referred to Iwamura as Akimura
Those games next week with Chicago may not matter all that much.
Never Fear, Underdog Is Here.
I was really hoping the Yankees wouldn't be eliminated until losing tomorrow night.