Seattle Mariners 0-0
Minnesota Twins 0-0
Starting Pitchers
Seattle : "King" Felix Hernandez 0-0, 0 IP 0.00 xFIP
Minnesota : Francisco "F-Bomb" Liriano 0-0, 0 IP 0.00 xFIP
It's Opening Day!
I’ll admit that I was planning on a little bit more involved Opening Day post for the Game Log, but well, life and a messy transition from NightmareHost intervened this weekend. But, I think that’s okay. Today isn’t necessarily about analysis of teams. It’s about the joy of a new season starting.
When I was in college oh, so many years ago, Fargo did not have Twins games regularly broadcast on TV. In fact, they didn’t broadcast the opener on TV. It just so happened that in 1986 and again in 1987, the Twins opened up in Oakland, which meant that the game didn’t begin until 9PM local time. I don’t remember the details of the games, but do remember that the Twins won both openers. I also remember that my roommate and I went over to Moorhead, MN to watch the games (because Moorhead had the games on – and Fargo didn’t!) at a little bar in a basement – I forget exactly where. Anyway, I remember being full of optimism both years. In 1986, my optimism went unrewarded, as the Twins stumbled under the weight of a subpar pitching staff. Not only that, but my Mets-loving, Twins-hating neighbor rubbed his team du jour’s World Championship in my face. It seems, though, that in 1987 I was rewarded just a little bit. How’s that go? Ah yes, revenge is a dish best served cold. I called that guy the next year as the Twins danced in celebration after Willie McGee grounded out to third. I only said one word, “Yes!”, but it took me about 45 seconds to enunciate that word. And then, I hung up. He knew it was me. Yes, indeed.
Anyway, hope springs eternal on Opening Day. That roommate from all those years back called me this morning to talk Twins baseball. How about that. :) I talked with both my ailing in-laws this last weekend about tonight and even in their condition, they were both interested. Opening Day is a special time.
Tonight the Twins take on the Seattle Mariners. Of course, pretty much anyone who follows baseball blogs knows about USS Mariner, the highly analytical and often caustic blog dedicated (is that the right word?) to the Seattle Mariners. Anyway, they are usually not reluctant to call out the hometown club, but they are fanboys of tonight’s starting pitcher, Felix Hernandez. Usually, they announce that Hernandez is pitching by writing “Felix Day. Woo!” Let me borrow a page from them and announce, “Opening Day. Woo!” Oh, and Go Twins!
This is the most unintentionally hilarious mugshot of a Twins player I have ever seen. It seems like this was what the photographer was going for.
LOL.
'In F-Bomb We Trust'
Also, I hate Mike Sweeney and I want him to GO AWAY!!! (Okay, maybe that was a bit strong.)
Dethrone the "King"
I'll be going to bed here soon, but I just wanted to chime on this, the most Holiest of days and say "GO TWINS!"
Liriano's faced the Mariners twice before in his career and both of those times he also pitched against Felix.
Not that it has any relevance for tonight, but how did he do?
Won one, lost one, I think. Don't have time to double-check now.
He won the game the day T-Paw signed the bill for Target Field. I was sitting with Gleeman for a few innings and remember Mauer hitting a homer in the first.
Forget USS Mariner, Lookout Landing has always been my favorite M's blog. I just love the unbelievably high level of snark they crank out.
Edited to add: including the redesign of Safeco Field
Last year he went 7 innings giving up 2 UER and getting the win on 8.15. He took a no decision pitching 6 innings and giving up 1 run 10 days later. He started a couple of times in 2006 against the Mariners as well.
Eric, if you're going to stay with us and post during this game (and please do!), you have GOT to do something about the avatar! Some of us are eating here!
43 users online 1/2 hour before game time. I love it.
Is the Boss spinning disks for the pre-game show on TRN/mlb.com? Rocking out to "Brown Sugar" right now.
bS-have you got some blues ready for tonight?
I'm looking at the New Belgium Lips of Faith kriek-style ale.... Or mebbe a cheaptoy schwartz. meat -- I'll get back to yours soon.
I'm running out to get some not very good for me take out tacos before the game starts. I love baseball.
TRN plays a clip of Herb to start the pregame show. I still miss him.
aye to that.
fwiw, I'm only indirectly stealing from the stat of Cali here. home early with an icebag on my back. dropping the Mrs's birthday cake yesterday just about did me in.
First, Captain Cheeseburger gets rocked.
Then, Captain Dreamboat couldn't get the tying run in from third in the eighth inning
Now, the Yankee bullpen is getting shelled.
This is fun!
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Everyone knows a ship can only have one captain. Some either needs to be promoted to Admiral or demoted to Swabby.
I nominate demoting Jetes to Rear Admiral. Because...well, you know.
Militarily, Rear Admiral is a promotion, not demotion, but in this case I think you're right. Well played, sir, well played indeed.
Wait for it.... wait for it.....wait for it.... okay, now.
Either the Sioux City radio station that carried the Twins last year is not carrying them this year, or they've simply opted to carry the NCAA final tonight instead. Boo to them either way. Luckily, I still have the old reliable WNAX, Your Big Friend in the Midwest.
Channel 720 on DirecTV is so amazing. As are the throwback uniforms. They're just gorgeous.
The Detroit pitching staff is already in mid-season form.
somebody blow out an elbow?
Well, I've got myself cosily escounced in the back corner of the back room at Old Chicago, with the game on the TV overhead and a plugin for the laptop, and a Chicago-style pizza ordered. Play ball!
Anybody catch Gordo's Q&A in the PiPress today? Oh, my. Two of my favorite offerings were these:
No DQ ice cream?
And I love chasing kids off of my lawn!
Head-shakingly classic.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the image of Gordon strapped into an electric chair. ;)
And thats a deep blast to left! Easy play on the hop for the shortstop. ZAP! ZAP!
woo. Gordo knows how to live on the edge.
Christ. Ritz crackers as a last meal? I'd want something that made a real mess.
The person whose wireless I am stealing needs to do something about their router because I am going to be quite upset if I just spent a hundred bucks on mlb.tv not to watch the Twins tonight.
Boys, here we go. I'm ready for some Twins baseball!!!!
You know what's great? Baseball.
I couldn't agree more.
Ah, I've been waiting all
dayweekyear for this.I like that sleeve patch on the jerseys.
Too soon?
Delayed? What's this load of crap? Don't they realized I stayed up until 1 AM to see the first pitch of the Twins' season?
I could have been sitting in the second row above the Mariner's dugout right now... damn classes.
Carl was Bjorn Borg's father?
LOL. He's a movie producer. He was the producer of Brokeback Mountain. Not exactly the banker type.
I think you misunderstand the role of the movie producer, Boss. Exactly the banker type.
I thought that was Roger Davis from Rent.
No, Cy was Bjorn's father.
How's the site performing? It seems fast (hoping...).
Rockin' like Dokken.
I didn't realize that this was the last year of the Metrodome. I wish someone had told me.
I just heard that the Yankees are opening a new park.
Do tell.
Throwbacks with the red caps. Interesting choice on Opening Night.
Did they have to throw back to when they sucked?
Fugly. I hope it's a one-time deal. (Those hats suck...)
Ditto that. I hate the red caps. Too many other teams have red caps already anyway...
This is Dazzle's tenth year as a Twins broadcaster. Amazing.
it feels like his 50th-type year
Looks like I should put on my red Twins cap tonight.
"Morneau, a future gold glove winner at first" ? The guys are already in mid season form.
They've been saying that all spring.
Intentional walk and then deal with Beltre.
2 batters, two GB outs. Good start.
Sit down, Sweeny
I thought Sweeney retired?
I think that was Mark Sweeny, the skinny(er) PH guy.
dang
Boo-yah!
F-bombs away!
Pretty generous on that third strike. I'll take it.
I agree. An F-bomb was likely hurled from dugout towards Chuck Merriweather there.
slider!
that's quality, Rhu_ru. New?
googlish
I'd like to see 8 or 9 of those tonight.
A good start for the defense (including the pitcher). Now let's have a good start for the offense.
I love baseball.
Whoa. Redmond 8th? Cuddy 3rd? Go-go 7th?
That's not the lineup I'm used to.
Sheenie's on pace for a lot of money this year
What a way to start the season. And with that, I bid you fine gentlemen adieu. Hopefully I'll have good news when I wake up in the morning.
Leadoff walk? Not your
father'solder brother'slast year's Twins.Bunt! Have him bunt!
Too early for a cap?
Nice work, Laddie!
robbed!
Nice sacrifice, Jason.
well, now let's see how the 2-out RISP works this year for us.
Not so well this time.
Ruh roh. I hope King Felix is ok. It would suck to lose him in the first.
Yowza that looked painful.
you turning into a Mariners fan now?
Nah. It's more fun to beat the best. Plus, I'm a feard of potential Jeremies.
oooh. true.
Didnt felix leave a game against Twins last year?
It was two years ago
Too early for scream therapy?
Is that what we do when we see a phalanx of McHale faces?
This is a must win game.
Why isn't Nathan warming??
I think McHale gave me Stockholm Syndrome or something; he beat all the screaming out of me.
I respect the fellers sticking with McHale; it shows character.
1-0 Mariners.
Game over, season over.
I've been waiting for someone to say that!
I've been saying that over on my own blogs.
C/C-. Not a single swear word. Here's a quarter, kid.
Call your mother. You're not gonna make it in this business.
Aw man I forgot the swearwords! Next time I'll put a nice blue streak down the middle of the page.
Oh, what the hell,
Arrggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When was the last time the Twins had a left-fielder that would have reached that foul ball?
Delmon probably woul've slid past it.
I'm thinking Span shouldn't have caught that. Oh well, early in the game.
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and hoping he wasn't sure if it was fair or foul at the time.
I'm thinking
SpanDelmonshouldn'tcouldn't have caught that. Oh well, early in the game.In-game beer review: New Belgium Lips of Faith Dark Kriek. 22-oz bomber purchased at my local grocery story for ~$9.49. Weighs in at a hefty 8 pct ABV. Label description: 65 pct ale brewed with cherry juice, 35 pct ale aged in wood barrels.
Pours a pretty, clear ruby, with a effervescent, tan head that quickly dissipates leaving little or no lacing. Aroma is subdued, with a faint hint of cherries. Soft mouthfeel, low carbonation, but with a bit of sourness. Dry, but pronounced cherry flavor and a hint of vanilla and tannin (from the wood aged ale in the blend). Very little hop character or malt. This is a solid, drinkable specialty ale, but more of a solid base hit than a extra-base smash. It would go well with dark chocolate and a bowl of nuts.
Not in the same league with a real belgian Kriek, but a very nice beer nonetheless.
Session beer. ;)
In-game Diet Dr. Pepper review: I don't care what they say, I can taste the aspartame.
Agreed. Diet Dr Pepper might be my least favorite diet soda.
worse than Tab?
I'm finishing off my last Urtyp 1878 that I got from my buddy in the Air Force.
My cat knows I'm drinking beer, and is looking around for the cap - jokes on her, no cap.
so, would that be classified as a bohemian pils? Lots softer on the hopping than a Czech pils?
I honestly don't know. The website I just looked up says "German Pilsener". All I know that it has a hint off lemon-y taste, and looks better in the glass than the Mich Golden that I usually drink. Starts a little harsh, but opens up nicely as I drink it.
hmm. In my limited experience, the bohemian versions tend to be maltier, whereas the Czech styles hew closely to Pilsener Urquell. then there is a Dortmunder style, which is somewhere in between.
(Gameday)
Loves to face N/A
Hates to face N/A
Might get old.
what's on the menu tonight, Bo?
Big Salad w/leftover grilled salmon in the S household.
grilled salmon ++omega3, nice.
Us, Barb's Pizza (West Hartford).
I would set the over/under on tonight's dinner occurring throughout the next 162 games at 35. Shrimp and pasta - a Sheenie staple.
in the S household, that would be pasta and shrimp. Different priorities amongst the Nawlins' ex-pats, obviously ;-)
Torii wouldn't have made it to that one.
But he would have taken a better route in not getting there.
Then he would've dove and given up and Inside the Park Home Run
And won a Fielding Grammy in the process
Do you mean right now, or in history???
obviously not now, since he's in Anaheim.
But to catch a ball, he'd commit suicide!
Nice at bat Mr. Punto
Nice AB by Punto
(I'm into counting stats)
Sheenie says she really likes it!
Mmm... fresh baseball season.
thank god! a sacrifice bunt!
Holy crap! There's a baseball game on tonight? Glad I happened to drop in.
Sweet play by Beltre.
Way to further stereotypes, boys.
Loves to face: Slider
Hates to face: Slider
What does that mean?
really, really small sample size
Cuddy go fizzle.
StatFreak would be popping a vein at Cuddy by now.
Cuddy's having a hard time getting traction at the plate -- no clutch tonight.
this game log is going disturbingly smoothly. I vote for a return to Nightmarehost.
Or at least some Kubel abide-age. That always does the trick.
Opening day menu: Cheeseburgers, Hebrew National hot dogs, kettle fried potato chips, Grain Belt Premium.
On the menu here we have pizza and Jameson. Delicious.
Nice work good Sir.
H Natl dogs - xtra long - can't be beat.
aaand Bo is geared up for the start of Passover. Mebbe a burned onion ring on the Seder plate?
twayn wins in the Traditional Menu competition. I'd planned grilled burgers for tonight, but we had a ton of salmon left over ($30 worth of fillet from Costco; I'm not afraid to admit I bought farm-raised North Atlantic salmon; screw the foodies; it tasted great).
F-Bomb's inducing a fair number of ground balls tonight. Good to see.
Ha ha. I love how Beltre points at the first-base umpire on his check swing. Then he picks up a ball in the dirt. He's so helpful, that Beltre!
Liriano with one notable exception, has looked really solid tonight.
This will be the last time you will ever hear Felix Hernandez compared to Brad Radke
Twins leaving a lot of athletic supporters lying around the batter's box so far this game...
'bout time our lefties kicked in here. Abidness!
Let's go, Cooter!
c'mon, GoGo!
Batting out of order. +3 outs
Aw, cr@p.
31 guests? Stop lurking and register! Citizenship has its privileges, people.
One might surmize Carlos Gomez really Hates to face th' Four-seam.
holy b-jeebers.
Doh!
That ball was crushed.
We had to give up at least one homer in honor of Bert's birthday.
+50
Does Delmon make the catch that Span just made? I'm thinking maybe not.
Span looks really good in LF. Really good.
Ruh roh. Who's the backup catcher again?
SF is going with ONE catcher. Because Bruce Bochy could be activated in an emergency.
Well, finally got this thing working again, and just in time for the Griffey HR.
On a sadder note, it turns out that, despite getting FSN from the Twin Cities, it refuses to show the Twins games. I've got it on the free MLB Extra Innings preview, but I was unable to find it on the atdhe. So after this week, it appears I will be unable to watch. I hate satellite companies.
Twins are not on FSN tonight, they are on WFTC and MLB.TV, so check your FSN tomorrow night to see if you can get the game.
Oh, that might be good news then. The schedule showed the game, so I figured it was there. Hope lives for another day. (although I won't be able to watch anyway because of bowling. Playoffs start tomorrow!)
Where did those ground balls go?
Red Dawg!
Oh my, Redmond, that was one of the slowest doubles I've ever seen.
What, they didn't just put all 3 outfielders in right field?? Why was anyone manning left?
Mike Redmond is the manliest man that ever manned a manly man.
Boy, that really doesn't sound right...
Boy, it seems like every time a guy gets hurt in the field, he leads off the next inning with a double.
RALLY
Elitist.
Never question the Cap.
That's Cuddyer's cap, anyway, isn't it? Nothing elitist about that.
w00t! D-Span to deliver the first smell-em?
Twins channeling Delmon with the first pitch swinging
C'mon, boyos!
The catcher
always bats thirdis a doubles machine:lol:
I am loving the walk pic
I love this picture. Thanks for creating it!
Bases loaded, none out, 2-3-4 coming up. I'm going to be disappointed if we don't score at least two.
I am disappointed.
And rightfully so.
Let's see him walk in a run. For Sheenie
Loaded up for Casilla. What are the odds of a GIDP here?
grrrrrrr.
Time for Cuddyer to redeem.
C'mon, Cuddy. Hit the ball (preferably not a double play ball)
WOOT, CUDDY!
Redemption!
there we go.
Cuddy! He's a good locker room presence what with the magic!
ack. One is better than none. But not much.
awwww, cr@p
Morneau playing like it's September
Nobody told Justin that September ended.
I'm really liking Span in left
Dear Gardy,
Please make Denard Span the full time left fielder. I like watching fly balls get caught in a relatively effortless fashion.
Signed,
Pretty much everybody
Cosigned. (Obviously.)
So is Marney Gellnar permanently off of Twins games? I would much rather have her than Jim Rich.
Jim Rich is the roving reporter guy when games of on WFTC
rumor has it there is a basketball game on tonight.
So far it's more like a Tar Heel shootaround.
So I am seeing. Yuck.
Spartans getting spanked early.
Half way through the period and the Heels are shooting 1-and-1 already. FIX!!!
So it sounds like I was justified in choosing Twins opening day over that, then, despite the current score?
interestingly, most of the back room here at the restaurant is watching the Astros/Cubs game (and most cheering for Houston)
*sigh*
CR@P
Mariner's broadcaster just pulled a Bremer on the Sweeney fly ball.
"SWEENEY DRIVES ONE DEEP TO LEFT...."
Bremer just pulled a Bremer on that Crede ball.
Dazzle's learning. He said, "that ball has a chance," but he never said what it had a chance to do. It turned out it had a chance to be a fly out, but that's a chance.
All right! Carl, the smartest pitcher in baseball is back! I'm not sure I like the voice, but I just like having Carl around.
WTF happened to MLB.com?
Time to...stay positive.
It's hard for a Spartan fan...
Yeah, ouch.
"(Span) has officially not been to the plate." - Guess who.
Subtle comment on the absurdity of BA vs. OBP? Or absurd turn of phrase by an incoherent broadcaster?
You decide
MLB.com is not amusing me.
I gave up and switched to the free Extra Innings trial (now that Chuck and Heroes are over, that is).
mlb.com has decided that I've already gotten my subscription's worth for this game. Grrrr.
So far, I am not a fan of the changes made to the Gameday Audio player. Had a hell of a time with it at work today.
I again gave up on the clutter of Gameday and went to Gameday Mini. Much better.
Well, on a good note, F-Bomb started this season better than last one.
Some nice motion on Crain's pitches. Of course, they aren't strikes though.
ECHO! echo echo
Where's everyone? Must be at the basketball gamelog...
What's the Nation's take on Span's defense in LF tonight, how many balls did he get to that Delmon couldn't have?
At least 2 or 3 that Delmon would've chased to the fence, and another couple that would've been a stretch. It's startling how much range Span has.
I've enjoyed having those balls caught, but I still reflexively panic when the ball is hit sharply to leftfield. It'll take a lot longer for me to get over Delmonstrosity.
I haven't been as happy with 'Lexi's defense, though.
CAN'T WE JUST LOSE WITHOUT GARDENHIRE PUTTING THE ENTIRE BULLPEN IN INJURY RISK??
Well, see, we have 8 guys out there (I'm counting Dickey tonight), so we might as well use them. It's not like we're going to want to pinch-hit for Redmond and Punto if we get some baserunners.
ubelmann = the new StatFreak...?
No. This particular issue is frustrating because it seemed like Gardenhire used to understand that the marginal gains from extreme platooning weren't worth using 18 pitchers every night, but now he's bound and determine to warm up every pitcher on the staff every other day, and eventually he's going to Neshek each and every one of them.
hello folks, looks like a lackluster opener
Does lackluster mean sucky? Because if it does, then yes.
D'oh, how many pitchers are we going to use in this stinker?
Good thing we took Crain out of the game!
Before Dennys Reyes, I don't remember Gardy burning through the 'pen like he has the last couple years. Was Reyes the shiny toy that broke Gardy's bullpen management skills, or was Rincon (and Romero before him) just good enough that Gardy didn't bother to tinker?
Percentage of Twins relief appearances that ended with a finished inning (i.e., not another pitching change in the middle of an inning):
2004: 75%
2005: 83%
2006: 77%
2007: 77%
Do you have that for 2002 and 2003?
Aw, make him work, Ubes!
Do you have that for 1977 and 1964? And 1942?
Well, to be fair, Ron Gardenhire didn't manage the Twins those years. My vague recollection has '02 and '03 as the two best years of Romero/Hawk.
I thought I did, but couldn't find it when poking around. I did the research last season when having the same thought, but it was pretty consistent.
Stragety!
My new portmanteau of 'strategy' and 'tragedy'
you've struck gold sir, comedy gold.
Stragedy!
When the feeling's gone and you can't go on
It's stragedy!
When the morning cries and you don't know why
It's hard to bear
With no one to love you you're goin' nowhere
well, shit.
I'll be the annoying fantasy baseball guy...
Stupid bullpen cost me a shot at a cheap save with Morrow!
Our first BOSO of the season!
DPWY, that new avatar could kill me.
Big inning here...
M's trying hard to help the Twins out a bit here...
cc to gogo: you have to take the lumber off your shoulder.
g'night chaps
where'd we put that nuke stockpile again...?
There is always next year.
See everyone tomorrow.
Gameday, Jose Morales: Loves to face: Slider, Hates to face: Slider
heh.
That's kind of how I feel actually.
following a Twins game without a Game Log kind of stinks, and it dint help King Felix was 'on' tonight
we'll get em tommorrow