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Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

bmfc1 Oct 06 2010 07:08 AM

Go Twins! And to pump you up, here's their new theme song, written by Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, and performed with members of The Baseball Project: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collec ... them.shtml http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_le ... mlb-271838

soupcan Oct 06 2010 07:16 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Eh. Granted I'm not a Twins from but I'll just say I'm glad we have 'Meet The Mets'.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 06 2010 07:28 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I dig The Hold Steady, thanks! It's no Meet the Mets but I love the way the words spill out.

metirish Oct 06 2010 07:36 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Gotta beat C.C. Fathabia in Game 1.......

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 08:19 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Full Sked: Wed - @ Minn - 8:37 PM Thur - @ Minn - 6:07 PM Sat - @ NY - 8:37 PM * Sun - @ NY - TBA * Tues - @ Minn - TBA Game 1 = CC Sabathia vs Francisco Liriano - Twins have faced the Yanx three times in the first playoff rounds over the last decade (2003, 2004, 2009) and lost 3-0, 3-1, 3-1 - and during the regular season they lost 4 of 6 this season and are 9-21 since 2006. - Yanx have said that AJ Burnett will not pitch (or at least start) and that they’ll go with Sabathia on short rest in Game 4. - Yanx starters ERA since August 1st = 5.32, [u:2v63g37y]by far the worst in the AL[/u:2v63g37y]. Take out Sabathia’s ~3.20 over that time and it would look a whole lot worse. - Justin Morneau has been declared done for the year and will not play in any post-season games

Ceetar Oct 06 2010 09:04 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Frayed Knot wrote: Full Sked: Wed - @ Minn - 8:37 PM Thur - @ Minn - 6:07 PM Sat - @ NY - 8:37 PM * Sun - @ NY - TBA * Tues - @ Minn - TBA Game 1 = CC Sabathia vs Francisco Liriano - Twins have faced the Yanx three times in the first playoff rounds over the last decade (2003, 2004, 2009) and lost 3-0, 3-1, 3-1 - and during the regular season they lost 4 of 6 this season and are 9-21 since 2006. - Yanx have said that AJ Burnett will not pitch (or at least start) and that they’ll go with Sabathia on short rest in Game 4. - Yanx starters ERA since August 1st = 5.32, by far the worst in the AL. Take out Sabathia’s ~3.20 over that time and it would look a whole lot worse. - Justin Morneau has been declared done for the year and will not play in any post-season games I agree with Francessa that AJ is probably only there as emergency Pettitte insurance, but still, isn't having a guy on the roster that you can't and shouldn't use detrimental? He's like 3-8 with a 6 ERA in teh second half.

MFS62 Oct 06 2010 09:31 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Ceetar wrote: but still, isn't having a guy on the roster that you can't and shouldn't use detrimental? There are lots of Mets fans who can answer that question for ya'. Later

Ashie62 Oct 06 2010 09:48 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

MFS62 wrote: Ceetar wrote: but still, isn't having a guy on the roster that you can't and shouldn't use detrimental? There are lots of Mets fans who can answer that question for ya'. Later Oh Snap!

Edgy DC Oct 06 2010 10:06 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Really, if that's a reference to Perez, the answer is not really.

Ceetar Oct 06 2010 10:09 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Edgy DC wrote: Really, if that's a reference to Perez, the answer is not really. Generally, no. Especially when you've got two extra pen guys anyway, and don't have to ever pinch hit cause you play in a stupid league.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 07:45 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

ARod caught napping as Hudson goes 1st to 3rd on a groundout ... then immediately scores on a passed ball !! Got Darling & Smoltz (who I've liked the few times I've heard him) in the booth on this series - although neither of them questioned why ARod was being a spectator there. Also didn't question why Gardenhire was bunting in inning 1 with his best runner on base. But it's 3-zip Twinkies thanks to an earlier 2R HR from Cuddyer.

Kong76 Oct 06 2010 07:48 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I put it on for two minutes and CC pulled his baggy whateverthefuck he wears out of his ass crack twice and I saw enough. Lets go Twinks!

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 07:50 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Put a couple of poles under that uni and I think it'll be able to sleep six.

Fman99 Oct 06 2010 07:56 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Kong76 wrote: I put it on for two minutes and CC pulled his baggy whateverthefuck he wears out of his ass crack twice and I saw enough. Lets go Twinks! I think he was trying to reach some mini chocolate donuts he keeps up there for mound snacking.

Zvon Oct 06 2010 08:10 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I'd like to see the Yanks play the Phils in the big show but not enough to sit here and cheer for them. Fuck that. Twins/Phils wouldn't suck. GO GOOD BASEBALL! Loriano pitchin a good game so far.

Zvon Oct 06 2010 08:16 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Kong76 wrote: I put it on for two minutes and CC pulled his baggy whateverthefuck he wears out of his ass crack twice and I saw enough. Lets go Twinks! Wassup with those pants? Whats all that extra pantage hangin off the sides for?

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 09:50 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Jesse Crain: Career ERA = 3.42; Career WHiP = 1.257 Career vs MFY: ERA = 7.31; WHiP = 1.750 ... which doesn't even include tonight's disaster. And I expect we'd find similar shit if we went through any present or recent Minn relievers. Same shit, different year.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 10:01 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

CAN SOMEONE WHO CALLS THAT SCANDINAVIAN/LUTHERAN STATE HOME GET A FUCKING CLUTCH HIT?!?!?!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 06 2010 10:27 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Not tonight, Knot.

Frayed Knot Oct 06 2010 10:49 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

What were the Twins tonight, like 0-9 w/RiSP and about a dozen LOBs? Hell, aside from the 2nd inning HR, the only runs they got were via a WP and a bases-loaded walk. That's [u:2f3aefr1]ONE[/u:2f3aefr1] RBI hit despite having runners all over the place. Then, once Rivera came in, they had about five times as many broken bats as baserunners - and the one baserunner they did have was via a bad call.

G-Fafif Oct 06 2010 11:39 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

We ask the stupid Twins to win three lousy games, not every year but just in random years. Sheesh.

metirish Oct 07 2010 06:44 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I went to bed around 10:30, game was still in the 4th inning IIRC....8:30PM games in the post-season suck.....had little faith the the Twins would actually win....not surprised to see they didn't. TBS in game question Is Ron Gardenhire the best manager in the game? Like Ron and Smoltz were going to say he wasn't.....although they didn't say he was.

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2010 07:46 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

The only thing I didn't like about Gardenhire last night was his 1st inning bunt; no outs, leadoff hitter and fastest guy on the team on 1st, Orlando Hudson up. Gee thanks dude, I coulda got Jerry or Willie to do that. Other than that I had no strategic questions about him, his players just never got a hit with anyone on base and, as usual, at least one member of his bullpen decided to put 'Suck LIke a Porn Star' on his list of things to do today. Overall though, I do tend to think that Gardenhire gets a whole ton of credit for being some kind of great field general on account of the Twins being the small market darling of the media. The fact that they finish 1st often with a low-ish payroll can't be denied, but they're also in an entire division of lower payroll teams which factors into things more than a bit. But at some point they've got to actually advance to be considered something other than likable contenders even in the land of low-key and really polite fans for an org that rarely changes managers. That's now 2-10 vs the Yanx in Gardy's post-season era (and none during the MFY's best years) plus a 1st round wipe-out by Oakland which makes it 2-13. They've led in each of the last 7 playoff games against the Yanx, including scoring first six times, and managed to lose every one of them.

MFS62 Oct 07 2010 09:30 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

My hopes for an ex-Senators VS ex-Senators playoff series are starting to fade. Later

Kong76 Oct 07 2010 04:20 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

God, I forgot how much I can't stand watching Andy-Roid pitch in a post season game with that glare.

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2010 04:46 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Twins out to an early lead (1-0) in game 2 ... guess that means they're doomed again. Of course they might help themselves a bit if they could get more than one run out of bases-loaded/one-out situations.

Willets Point Oct 07 2010 05:37 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

F-ing Twins! Roll over and play dead like a freakin' opossum. Of course, the Rangers are no better. I predict the Yankees go 7-0 right into the pennant before eventually hoisting trophy 28.

Frayed Knot Oct 07 2010 06:24 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Some big-time relief pitching by Jon Rauch that should give Minnesota a big shot of emotion and inspire them to score just enough runs to lose the game close instead of by 8 runs like it looked like it was going to be a minute ago. 4-2 Yanx - bottom 7

Kong76 Oct 07 2010 07:12 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Well that chewed root, series over.

Willets Point Oct 07 2010 07:57 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

It's incumbent upon the Twins to cause some injuries to the Yankees in Game 3.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 08 2010 02:40 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Yahoo's Jeff Passan on the playoff umpiring so far, focusing on MFYs-Twins. Now, let’s get one thing straight: If Hunter Wendelstedt really did earn this postseason assignment based on merit – and MLB claims that it puts only the best umpires in the playoffs, though that’s rather dubious seeing as their anything but transparent with umpiring data – he should’ve been nowhere near this series. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire last season said Wendelstedt believes “he’s God as umpires go,” and that “he’s got a smart-ass mouth,” and that “he’s got an attitude,” and, for good measure, he had “a lot of problems with Hunter.” ... Here’s what can be said about the pitch to Berkman: It was a strike – in plain view, in slow motion and captured by the cameras of the Pitchf/x system that provides data on every pitch thrown today in the major leagues. Pitchf/x is the enemy of umpires because it holds them accountable and highlights their mistakes. And Thursday night, Hunter Wendelstedt made an unconscionable number of errors for a playoff umpire. The Berkman pitch was one of 31 wrong calls from Wendelstedt. Thirteen other times he called a ball on a pitch inside the strike zone, one of them on a cutter to Derek Jeter(notes) that literally was in the center of the strike zone, at the belt, halving the plate. And 17 times – most of them actually benefitting Pavano – Wendelstedt called a strike on a pitch outside the zone. This is not normal. It is not close.

HahnSolo Oct 08 2010 06:18 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

If an NFL or NBA official f**ed up that bad, he'd be nowhere near the field in the next game. Why can't MLB do that?

Frayed Knot Oct 08 2010 07:34 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

The call to Berkman was a strike; on the corner maybe, but a strike and he should have been out. But the bigger problem was Pavano giving up the leadoff walk to Posada in the AB preceding it and then the booming double to Berkman on the following pitch. The Rays voiced similar complaints about a half-swing NOT called on Michael Young before he promptly HR'd on the next pitch (Maddon got ejected as did Gardenhire) and, surprise, the Reds were yapping about Halladay benefitting from a generous strike zone the previous evening. And are the Braves also crying about the Posey steal of 2B? Not surprising that all that complaining is coming from the four teams that not only lost but combined for about 9 hits over 36 innings. Some of those calls were bad (Berkman), some were borderline (Young, Posey) but none were egregious and none were the main reason(s) why the teams lost. And maybe Wendelstedt is an ass, but it seems to me that the cry for increased instant replay has become such a cause-celeb in some circles that many are seizing on a handful of borderline calls to make it seem as if umpiring is the main story over the first six games. It's not.

Edgy DC Oct 08 2010 08:03 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I have no idea what consitutes a checked-swing strike anymore, except that they seem (maybe I'm wrong) to call a lot more of them strikes than they used to. The "broken wrist" standard doesn't seem to be in effect, nor does the "broken plane" one. (And which plane are we talking about?)

Ceetar Oct 08 2010 08:11 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Edgy DC wrote: I have no idea what consitutes a checked-swing strike anymore, except that they seem (maybe I'm wrong) to call a lot more of them strikes than they used to. The "broken wrist" standard doesn't seem to be in effect, nor does the "broken plane" one. (And which plane are we talking about?) And the problem with that is it pretty much opens the door for umpires to favor guys, even subconsciously. At least with normal blown calls, we know they blow them, and we criticize them. If A-Rod signs the ump's kid's baseball before the game, does he get more leadway with check swings?

Frayed Knot Oct 08 2010 08:15 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

The official wording that the umps use is apparently "intent to swing" but that seems to me to be more arbitrary than anything. Every swing and non-swing alike starts out with intent. Pitchers-turned-announcers (particularly Leiter) like to complain about how not one change to the game over the last two decades or so has benefitted the pitchers but the half-swing is absolutely called more often now than it ever was. Btw, they also like to complain about modern stadiums while ignoring the fact that more than a few of them (Atl, NY (N), Sea, Det, SD, SF) are better pitchers parks than their predecessors, but that's a separate issue.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Oct 08 2010 09:53 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

There is literally NO useful definition of what constitutes a swing/checked swing in the MLB rulebook. Which is, y'know, maybe a bit of an oversight. One point of disagreement, FK: even in real-time, the Posey call was NOT borderline. Hell, he recognized it; the kid turned red and practically giggled when asked about it at the postgame press conference. You can argue that it's not the primary reason that they lost-- Infante was a wrist twitch away from turning Ross' RBI hot-shot into an out, e.g.-- but it's a stretch to claim that wasn't a primary reason.

Frayed Knot Oct 08 2010 05:14 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

It was still a pretty close call (his toes weren't more than inches from the base and the tag was somewhat high) and I think his rather funky slide made it tough to call in live action. Nobody on the Braves complained. Hell, even Cox didn't squawk and he only argues on days when the sun comes up in the east. But my main point was that it's no surprise that all the losing teams are finding fault with the umps when they really should be looking elsewhere. Plus it seemed to me that, with a no-hitter, a two-hit shut-out, a Pettitte comeback game, the best team in the AL on the brink, etc. all in a two-day span, there were a number of media types over-selling the idea that the over-riding story in the playoffs so far was umpire incompetence. That, in my view, was because a number of them came into the week with that idea in their heads and are only too anxious to mold the facts to fit the pre-written story.

Kong76 Oct 09 2010 08:20 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

God the Twins just stink at this post-season thing.

Fman99 Oct 09 2010 08:28 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I don't normally like to use profanity, but, man, the Twins suck a dick.

Kong76 Oct 09 2010 08:34 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

I didn't fact check, someone told me today it was eleven straight playoff losses ... tonight would be twelve? That has to be, or approaching, some kind of record of suck.

Fman99 Oct 09 2010 08:40 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Kong76 wrote: I didn't fact check, someone told me today it was eleven straight playoff losses ... tonight would be twelve? That has to be, or approaching, some kind of record of suck. They won game 1 against the MFYs in 2004 (Johan got the win) and then lost 3 straight in that ALDS. Followed by sweeps in the ALDS in 2006 against Oakland and last year against the Yanquis again. That plus the game 1-2 losses this year makes 11 straight, and 12 if they lose tonight. Pathetic.

Kong76 Oct 09 2010 08:42 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Thanks for the fact check!

themetfairy Oct 09 2010 09:13 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Fman99 wrote: I don't normally like to use profanity This is the funniest thing I've read in ages

Rockin' Doc Oct 09 2010 09:15 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Sad part is that as poorly as the Twins have fared in the post season during the past decade, they are at least in the postseason. We lament how bad the Twins are, but they have made the playoffs 6 times in the past 10 seasons. The Mets with their monetary advantages have made the playoffs twice in that same span. The Twins have had 9 winning seasons since 2000, the Mets have had 6 winning and 5 losing seasons since 2000. Personally, I find the Twins almost annual postseason collapse against the Yankees maddening, but I truthfully find the Mets record far more pathetic and depressing.

Frayed Knot Oct 10 2010 06:10 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

So I think the deal is that we need this one to finish up on Sunday with a Rangers win. Otherwise Texas will be forced to spend Cliff Lee in game 5 and throw off their whole rotation for the Yanqui series while Sabathia sits around resting for his probable three starts out of seven if necessary. Ergo I'm pulling for the Rangers but if they don't win today I'm switching my allegiance to Tampa in a game 5.

metirish Oct 10 2010 09:10 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Oh dear me SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman girardi wont admit they tried for wild card. me: hes master strategist who played it right. avoiding cliff lee in alds was huge for #yanks

Ashie62 Oct 10 2010 09:32 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

Please Texas, please.

G-Fafif Oct 10 2010 11:30 AM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

They call them the Twins 'cause every one of their Octobers is identical.

Frayed Knot Oct 10 2010 02:03 PM Re: Twins vs MFY - ALDS IST

G-Fafif wrote: They call them the Twins 'cause every one of their Octobers is identical. In that case they ought to be called the quadruplets.