I sometimes feel sorry for myself when I see that the Twins are headed for their third straight losing season. And then I read that Pittsburgh won their 81st game of the season last night. For many that may not be a big deal, but for suffering Pirates fans, it's an absolute MILESTONE. That win guarantees that they will not have a losing season this year. AFTER 20 STRAIGHT LOSING SEASONS, they can finally breathe. That horrible streak is over.
The three years we've had is nothing compared to them. I don't like losing, but it could always be a lot worse. And Astros fans know what bad is as well.
Perspective is everything. That and good starting pitching.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Perkins Blows Save, Twins Beat Hapless Astros Anyway
Pedro Hernandez looked good replacing Samuel Deduno last night. With Deduno on the 15 day disabled list because of that right-shoulder problem, Hernadez gave the Twins their fourth really good start in 5 games giving up just two runs in six plus innings of work.
Perkins screwed up in the ninth by walking a man, giving up a single and then giving up a home run on an 0-2 pitch. I like Perkin's aggressiveness, and I like that he throws strikes, but that pitch was way too sweet for an 0-2 count.
sigh
But this is the Astros we're talking about. Given time, they managed to find a way to lose their 93rd game of the season. The Twins won it with a big 12th.
Highlights? "Bull" Dozier hit ANOTHER homerun. Plouffe did too, ending up with 4 hits. "Alvis" Presley added a couple of more hits as well. Even Mastroianni got three hits and three RBI last night.
The Twins bullpen has seen quite a bit of action the last two nights, and all but Perkins came through brilliantly. Last game of the series is this afternoon. It will get thee "squeeze play" version tonight on FSN.
Perkins screwed up in the ninth by walking a man, giving up a single and then giving up a home run on an 0-2 pitch. I like Perkin's aggressiveness, and I like that he throws strikes, but that pitch was way too sweet for an 0-2 count.
sigh
But this is the Astros we're talking about. Given time, they managed to find a way to lose their 93rd game of the season. The Twins won it with a big 12th.
Highlights? "Bull" Dozier hit ANOTHER homerun. Plouffe did too, ending up with 4 hits. "Alvis" Presley added a couple of more hits as well. Even Mastroianni got three hits and three RBI last night.
The Twins bullpen has seen quite a bit of action the last two nights, and all but Perkins came through brilliantly. Last game of the series is this afternoon. It will get thee "squeeze play" version tonight on FSN.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Twins Win
I couldn't make it through two innings yesterday. Albers was AWFUL. I came back to watch it in the ninth and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Twins were up 10-6 at the time and that Colabello had hit two home runs including a grand slam in the ninth.
I keep forgetting just how bad the Astros are. The Twins won there 60th game yesterday, so there's an awfully good chance they will not lose 100 games this season. They only have to win three of their remaining 26 to avoid triple digit losses. I'm not predicting anything at this point, but I do think the Twins have a great chance for at least 63 wins.
"Alvis," my new nickname for recently acquired Alex Presly, walked twice and scored once as the Twins new leadoff man. And Plouffe and Dozier each hit a homerun each as well.
This is still better than the last two seasons, so I am still enjoying some of these games. Hernandez, who is trying to win a roster spot for next year, gets the nod as the Twins starter tonight.
I keep forgetting just how bad the Astros are. The Twins won there 60th game yesterday, so there's an awfully good chance they will not lose 100 games this season. They only have to win three of their remaining 26 to avoid triple digit losses. I'm not predicting anything at this point, but I do think the Twins have a great chance for at least 63 wins.
"Alvis," my new nickname for recently acquired Alex Presly, walked twice and scored once as the Twins new leadoff man. And Plouffe and Dozier each hit a homerun each as well.
This is still better than the last two seasons, so I am still enjoying some of these games. Hernandez, who is trying to win a roster spot for next year, gets the nod as the Twins starter tonight.
Kluwe Gets The Boot
Former Vikings punter, Chris Kluwe, was released by the Raiders yesterday. They decided to go with a younger punter who costs less.
He's still good, but it looks like punters have a shorter shelf life than most players because of salary cap issues. I find that fascinating.
He's still good, but it looks like punters have a shorter shelf life than most players because of salary cap issues. I find that fascinating.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Too Much Celebrating
Georgia lost their star receiver on Saturday night. He joined their top rusher in the end zone after a 75 yard TD run. and when he leapt up to celebrate, he landed awkwardly and tore the ACL in his right knee. He's done for the season.
The running back pulled his hamstring during the celebration as well.
I still remember what Bud Grant used to say to his players after touchdowns. "Act like you've been there before."
I always chuckle when I think of that, especially after what happened Saturday night.
The running back pulled his hamstring during the celebration as well.
I still remember what Bud Grant used to say to his players after touchdowns. "Act like you've been there before."
I always chuckle when I think of that, especially after what happened Saturday night.
Corriea Impresses in Presley's Hot Debut
I've been reading comments by Twins fans the last couple of days saying that we shouldn't have bothered getting Alex Presley.
Yesterday, Presley got three hits and scored three runs in his Twins debut. And he looked very good doing it. I know one game does not a career make, but I'm more than willing to see how this kid works out. His defensive skills are above average, as is his speed, and he can comfortably play all three outfield positions. In other words, he could be the outfield guy we're looking for when guys like Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia start to (or continue to) disappoint.
Who knows, in a couple of seasons, those three guys MAY BE our outfield.
Lost in the Twins win yesterday was another player making his Twins debut. Josmill Pinto had two hits including a double and RBI in his first audition at Twins catcher. At 24, he has an awful lot of upside. Did I mention that Correia pitched his BEST game of the season with Pinto handling him?
Mauer should just slide on over to first and let younger guys take the bumps at home plate. He'll have a longer, healthier career. And guys like Pinto can have a chance to make their mark as well.
A good game. A good series, against a very good ball club.
And three really outstanding performances.
I'm still watching.
Yesterday, Presley got three hits and scored three runs in his Twins debut. And he looked very good doing it. I know one game does not a career make, but I'm more than willing to see how this kid works out. His defensive skills are above average, as is his speed, and he can comfortably play all three outfield positions. In other words, he could be the outfield guy we're looking for when guys like Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia start to (or continue to) disappoint.
Who knows, in a couple of seasons, those three guys MAY BE our outfield.
Lost in the Twins win yesterday was another player making his Twins debut. Josmill Pinto had two hits including a double and RBI in his first audition at Twins catcher. At 24, he has an awful lot of upside. Did I mention that Correia pitched his BEST game of the season with Pinto handling him?
Mauer should just slide on over to first and let younger guys take the bumps at home plate. He'll have a longer, healthier career. And guys like Pinto can have a chance to make their mark as well.
A good game. A good series, against a very good ball club.
And three really outstanding performances.
I'm still watching.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Twins Lose
Mike Pelfrey pitched another great game. The Twins only score was Brian Dozier's 15th home run of the season.
Oh, and we FINALLY got rid of Justin Morneau. Ever since Curt Flood started free agency in the early 1970's, fans have found out that players care more about their money than their current teams. I personally see nothing wrong with that, though I'm still a bit confused how some fans could be angry that we got rid of him. You either trade him and get something or let him become a free agent at the end of the season and get even less (or potentially nothing.) I'm happy Morneau has joined a contender like the Pirates. Maybe he and Liriano can make a difference in the Pirates title run. Go Pirates!
Did we get anything for him? Not really. But, that's how the game of baseball is played. You have to ask yourself is Alex Presley and his future worth one MONTH of Justin Morneau's service to the Twins? NO TEAM is going to give you their best young players for a month of Justin's services, so getting ANYONE at this point is a good deal for the Twins.
For all I know, the Twins might be one of the few teams to offer Justin a free-agent contract deal before next season that would be good enough to bring him back. Justin had his best month since the concussion in August and yet the Twins went from 10 games below .500 to 18 games below.500 in that time. It's not like his resurgence was truly helping us in any measurable way.
I don't see the Twins getting any better in any kind of reasonable time-frame either. The ONLY free-agent starting pitcher we signed this year that has been good for five innings per start has been Pelfrey. And we only signed him to a one season contract. Corriea has managed one win in two months. And we haven't heard from the Vanimal since he went to AAA ball to find himself.
Add that to Deduno now with a bad arm, Gibson back in the minors, and Albers getting ZERO run support and you start to wonder if this team has any hope for the future at all. Liam Hendriks is in that mix somewhere, but he's not getting people to stand up and take notice despite Friday's performance. Don't forget that he's 2-12 in his Twin's career with an ERA of 5.60. His track record doesn't instill confidence.
I'm hoping that Joe Mauer, at this point, after losing his buddy Justin to the Pirates, will go to Twins management and ask for a trade. Again, we probably won't get much for him, because that is how baseball works. But I'd rather take my chances with a couple of young prospects at catcher and first base next season and spend the money we'll save on Mauer and Morneau's contract to acquire some good starting pitching.
Or become a team of nothing but good relievers.
Either way, getting rid of Joe Mauer at this point makes more sense that having a $25 million MVP on a team that loses 95 games a year.
I'd rather start from scratch, than pay that much scratch to someone who can't help us enough all by himself.
AND while we're at it, let's sign Dozier to a long-term deal before we lose him, too. HE should be the Twins new guy to build around.
Out with the old. In with the new. And let's hope Gardy doesn't let the door hit him on the way out.
Oh, and we FINALLY got rid of Justin Morneau. Ever since Curt Flood started free agency in the early 1970's, fans have found out that players care more about their money than their current teams. I personally see nothing wrong with that, though I'm still a bit confused how some fans could be angry that we got rid of him. You either trade him and get something or let him become a free agent at the end of the season and get even less (or potentially nothing.) I'm happy Morneau has joined a contender like the Pirates. Maybe he and Liriano can make a difference in the Pirates title run. Go Pirates!
Did we get anything for him? Not really. But, that's how the game of baseball is played. You have to ask yourself is Alex Presley and his future worth one MONTH of Justin Morneau's service to the Twins? NO TEAM is going to give you their best young players for a month of Justin's services, so getting ANYONE at this point is a good deal for the Twins.
For all I know, the Twins might be one of the few teams to offer Justin a free-agent contract deal before next season that would be good enough to bring him back. Justin had his best month since the concussion in August and yet the Twins went from 10 games below .500 to 18 games below.500 in that time. It's not like his resurgence was truly helping us in any measurable way.
I don't see the Twins getting any better in any kind of reasonable time-frame either. The ONLY free-agent starting pitcher we signed this year that has been good for five innings per start has been Pelfrey. And we only signed him to a one season contract. Corriea has managed one win in two months. And we haven't heard from the Vanimal since he went to AAA ball to find himself.
Add that to Deduno now with a bad arm, Gibson back in the minors, and Albers getting ZERO run support and you start to wonder if this team has any hope for the future at all. Liam Hendriks is in that mix somewhere, but he's not getting people to stand up and take notice despite Friday's performance. Don't forget that he's 2-12 in his Twin's career with an ERA of 5.60. His track record doesn't instill confidence.
I'm hoping that Joe Mauer, at this point, after losing his buddy Justin to the Pirates, will go to Twins management and ask for a trade. Again, we probably won't get much for him, because that is how baseball works. But I'd rather take my chances with a couple of young prospects at catcher and first base next season and spend the money we'll save on Mauer and Morneau's contract to acquire some good starting pitching.
Or become a team of nothing but good relievers.
Either way, getting rid of Joe Mauer at this point makes more sense that having a $25 million MVP on a team that loses 95 games a year.
I'd rather start from scratch, than pay that much scratch to someone who can't help us enough all by himself.
AND while we're at it, let's sign Dozier to a long-term deal before we lose him, too. HE should be the Twins new guy to build around.
Out with the old. In with the new. And let's hope Gardy doesn't let the door hit him on the way out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)