Lets start with the Timberwolves. When I checked ESPN while out to eat last night, I noticed the Wolves had selected O.J. Mayo. I was happy, they had the 3rd pick and appeared to select the 3rd best player. Going into last night I was thinking the Wolves would get Mayo or Beasley, in case Miami changed their minds. So no matter what the result would be good. Mayo fit the wolves a talented gurad who could complement Randy Foye in the backcourt. But McHale did it again, he sent Mayo, Walker, Jaric and Buckner to Memphis for Kevin Love, Brian Cardnil, Mike Miller and Jason Collins. I personally hate the deal and I think the Wolves passed up on a great chance with O.J. Mayo. Lets look back to 2006, the Wolves selected Brandon Roy, who many thought was the best player in the draft. Then he was traded to Portland for their pick Foye and cash. Roy went on to be Rookie of the year and made the All-Star team in his second year. In the 90s the Wolves took Ray Allen before sendign him to Milwaukee for Marbury. I guess now we will have to wait in see, but something tells me Mayo will be a star someday and Love will not. In the meantime, I will not post anything about the Wolves or even pay attention to their games until Kevin McHale and or Glen Taylor are out of there.
Meanwhile, the best Minnesota franchise, the Twins are on a roll. The sweep of the Padres gives them 9 in a row. All the 2006 comparisons are coming now, but I disagree. This team is finally getting some power and depending on good qaulity starts from starting pitching. The 2006 team was based on dominating starts from Santana, Liriano and the small ball routine. But either way, the Twins should be lobbying to make a move to the National League, if so they may break the record for regular season wins. 9 games at home now and all very important, lets hope this team can keep it up.
Yesterday Matt Garza pitched a complete game 1 hitter for the Rays as they completed a sweep of Florida. He is now 6-4 this season with a 3.76 era. Clearly the Rays are getting the better of this deal so far. Maybe I should start comparing Garza to Brendan Harris instead of Delmon Young and I would feel better.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Big Inning
The Twins did it again, the offense couldn't get going all game until the 5th were they scored 5 runs. It seems like a pattern lately especially in this series which they scored18 runs and 17 of them were scored in 3 separate innings in 3 different games. Either way it was an excellent sweep of a team definitely on the decline. The win puts the Twins at 40-36, 4 games over .500 for the first time this season, the sweep of the White Sox of the Cubs puts the Twins only 1.5 games back in the division. Just about 2 weeks ago, things looked awful as the White Sox were completing a 4 game sweep and the Twins found themselves 6.5 back. Now they are in the best position of the season.
Now to discuss the future of this team. Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune wrote a column about how none of the Twins offseason acquisitions are working out. Read it here:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/20645814.html?location_refer=Sports:highlightModules:1
I somewhat agree with him. The Twins do what they always do and go after the cheap veteran free agent who had his best year 3 years ago (Mike Lamb, Adam Everett, Craig Monroe). But does it ever work out? Remember Tony Batista? I agree that the young players should get the chance and the Twins should cut ties with Lamb and Everett if they can find anyone to take them. I also agree that they can't give up on Delmon Young, but his fielding mistakes are costing this team. Platooning Young with Span, Monroe or Kubel might be a good idea, until Young can get a hot bat going. I agree the Rays got the better of the Garza/Young trade, but the Twins have to be patient with young and maybe he will come around. As for Brendan Harris, I would like to see him keep starting at shortstop. Tolbert could be the future at that position but Harris is hot right now at the plate and hasn't made a lot of errors in the field. He is a perfect #9 hitter in the AL. Punto should be kept around to back up middle infield and 3rd when need be. But the Twins have built a good young core of talent and maybe they can shock some people.
By the way since the start of the Milwaukee series, Twins starters have provided 9 quality starts in a row. The rotation was in shambles 2 weeks ago. Lets hope they can keep it up. The Twins will be out west in San Diego for 3 before coming home for 9 more.
Now to discuss the future of this team. Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune wrote a column about how none of the Twins offseason acquisitions are working out. Read it here:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/20645814.html?location_refer=Sports:highlightModules:1
I somewhat agree with him. The Twins do what they always do and go after the cheap veteran free agent who had his best year 3 years ago (Mike Lamb, Adam Everett, Craig Monroe). But does it ever work out? Remember Tony Batista? I agree that the young players should get the chance and the Twins should cut ties with Lamb and Everett if they can find anyone to take them. I also agree that they can't give up on Delmon Young, but his fielding mistakes are costing this team. Platooning Young with Span, Monroe or Kubel might be a good idea, until Young can get a hot bat going. I agree the Rays got the better of the Garza/Young trade, but the Twins have to be patient with young and maybe he will come around. As for Brendan Harris, I would like to see him keep starting at shortstop. Tolbert could be the future at that position but Harris is hot right now at the plate and hasn't made a lot of errors in the field. He is a perfect #9 hitter in the AL. Punto should be kept around to back up middle infield and 3rd when need be. But the Twins have built a good young core of talent and maybe they can shock some people.
By the way since the start of the Milwaukee series, Twins starters have provided 9 quality starts in a row. The rotation was in shambles 2 weeks ago. Lets hope they can keep it up. The Twins will be out west in San Diego for 3 before coming home for 9 more.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Big Unit, not so scary.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the Twins hitters get to Randy Johnson in the third inning last night. He is 44 years old but still is a presence on the mound like no other and still can get you with that nasty slider. But the Twins were able to pound him in the third and thank goodness for that because he pitched well the rest of the game, earning his first complete game of the season despite giving up 7 earned runs. Interesting by D-backs manager Bob Melvin to stick with one guy all game despite trailing. I guess if he would have given up 7 in the 5th or 6th it might have been different. Either way, the complete game by Johnson will enable to the D-backs to shorten today's game knowing they have a rested bull pen.
Micah Owings will pitch for AZ tonight against Blackburn. Owings is interesting, he is probably one of the best hitting pitchers of all time and he is often used in pinch hitting situations and they even talked about platooning him at first base on his off days. So it will actually be a disadvantage for the D-backs to be forced to use a DH tonight because Owings is one of their best hitters.
For everyone who complains about the DH rule in the American League, I think it's a great rule. I know its not the way the game was played 100 years ago, but it makes each inning more exciting. Nothing is worse than getting 2 on with out and seeing the pitcher walk up to the plate. I know there may be more strategy involved when your pitcher has to bat, but I would watch an American League game any day of the week before a National League game. Plus pitchers are paid millions to pitch and get guys out, not to hit and run the bases. But with that said I would not like to see the National League adopt the rule, because I think it's great that the 2 leagues have different rules and its fun to see American League teams adjust when there pitchers have to bat.
As far as interleague play, I like it as well. But I think it is put together all wrong. I would like to see more organization to it. I would like to see it kick off with every team playing there rivalry series in May. Then In June each team would play opponents from one division in the other league and this would alternate every 3 years. Then in the first weekend in July wrap it up with another rival series. The fact that the Twins are playing NL opponents from all 3 divisions doesn't make sense. So there should be 2 rival series and 2 home and 2 away series against ONE division. Now the problem is that not every team has a rival so i had to come up with them all myself here.
Twins-Brewers
Sox-Cubs
Indians-Reds
Royals-Cardinals
Yankess-Mets
Orioles-Nationals
Rays-Marlins
Angels-Dodgers
A's-Giants
Rangers-Astros
Ok so everyone has a rival in the AL except for the Tigers, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners. There are 6 NL teams to choose from. Pirates, Phillies, Braves, Rockies, D-backs and Padres. So these teams will have to alternate with each other until some type of a rivalry develops. 2 NL teams will be left out.
Micah Owings will pitch for AZ tonight against Blackburn. Owings is interesting, he is probably one of the best hitting pitchers of all time and he is often used in pinch hitting situations and they even talked about platooning him at first base on his off days. So it will actually be a disadvantage for the D-backs to be forced to use a DH tonight because Owings is one of their best hitters.
For everyone who complains about the DH rule in the American League, I think it's a great rule. I know its not the way the game was played 100 years ago, but it makes each inning more exciting. Nothing is worse than getting 2 on with out and seeing the pitcher walk up to the plate. I know there may be more strategy involved when your pitcher has to bat, but I would watch an American League game any day of the week before a National League game. Plus pitchers are paid millions to pitch and get guys out, not to hit and run the bases. But with that said I would not like to see the National League adopt the rule, because I think it's great that the 2 leagues have different rules and its fun to see American League teams adjust when there pitchers have to bat.
As far as interleague play, I like it as well. But I think it is put together all wrong. I would like to see more organization to it. I would like to see it kick off with every team playing there rivalry series in May. Then In June each team would play opponents from one division in the other league and this would alternate every 3 years. Then in the first weekend in July wrap it up with another rival series. The fact that the Twins are playing NL opponents from all 3 divisions doesn't make sense. So there should be 2 rival series and 2 home and 2 away series against ONE division. Now the problem is that not every team has a rival so i had to come up with them all myself here.
Twins-Brewers
Sox-Cubs
Indians-Reds
Royals-Cardinals
Yankess-Mets
Orioles-Nationals
Rays-Marlins
Angels-Dodgers
A's-Giants
Rangers-Astros
Ok so everyone has a rival in the AL except for the Tigers, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners. There are 6 NL teams to choose from. Pirates, Phillies, Braves, Rockies, D-backs and Padres. So these teams will have to alternate with each other until some type of a rivalry develops. 2 NL teams will be left out.
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Much Needed Sweep
Well, the Twins were able to sweep the Nats and finally get their record back over 500 for the first time in over a week. Even though the Nats are the worst team in the National League, a sweep is still a sweep and I think the Twins will take it any day. After a game one close fight, the Twins were able to blow out the Nats in games 2 and 3 showing they were the better team. Kubel, Morneau, Mauer and Cuddyer are all swinging a hot bat right now and the pitching staff put together 3 quality starts in a row. So at least we have momentum going into a series with the D-backs.
I used to live in Arizona and somewhat followed the D-bakcs last year. They have a good young lineup and good pitching but have definitely fallen off from their hot start. The lineup isn't scary at all and its reasonable to think that the Twins starters could shut them down. Will the Twins be able to hit off the D-backs starters? Lefty Randy Johnson is on the hill tonight and I can predict the Twins lefty strong lineup will have some trouble with him. It should be an interesting series against a team the Twins have rarely ever faced.
I used to live in Arizona and somewhat followed the D-bakcs last year. They have a good young lineup and good pitching but have definitely fallen off from their hot start. The lineup isn't scary at all and its reasonable to think that the Twins starters could shut them down. Will the Twins be able to hit off the D-backs starters? Lefty Randy Johnson is on the hill tonight and I can predict the Twins lefty strong lineup will have some trouble with him. It should be an interesting series against a team the Twins have rarely ever faced.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Twins win Series vs Brew Crew but end on a sour note
Well everything appeared to be in order for the Twins as they had their Ace on the mound in Scott Baker to try to finish off a sweep of the Brewers. The Twins had pounded the Brewers on Friday night with a great performance from Kevin Slowey and last night's game was one of the most exciting MLB games of the season. I don't want to hear any whining from the Brewers fans, Prince Fielders hit was not a home run as it clearly showed it bouncing off the wall into the field. The Twins blew chances for a few innings before finally getting to Brewers revlievers in the 12th with a 5 run inning. A big hit by Buscher with the bases loaded paved the way for the Twins victory. I thought it was a good win, even though it was so close to being over 3 innings earlier. In an unrelated note, I think Ned Yost is one of the worst managers in baseball and I thank him for leaving Tavarez in there and helping the Twins win it.
Anyway all of that set the tone for the sweep attempt today. But the pesky Brewers would not allow it. You cant really blame the pitching even though the Twins had a lead in this one until Mike Cameron hit one out to make it 3-2. But the offense that was there the past two days was not today. I thought Baker pitched well if you take out the home run, but I was a little frustrated with throwing Boof out there in the 8th when the team is down one run. Going into the series i was thinking the Twins needed to sweep and they came close but will end the road trip on a downer.
A serious downer. The Twins went 3-7 on this road trip falling to 34-36 and 4.5 games out of first place. The Twins will play Washington at home this week, lets hope they can get back on track and pull out another series win.
Anyway all of that set the tone for the sweep attempt today. But the pesky Brewers would not allow it. You cant really blame the pitching even though the Twins had a lead in this one until Mike Cameron hit one out to make it 3-2. But the offense that was there the past two days was not today. I thought Baker pitched well if you take out the home run, but I was a little frustrated with throwing Boof out there in the 8th when the team is down one run. Going into the series i was thinking the Twins needed to sweep and they came close but will end the road trip on a downer.
A serious downer. The Twins went 3-7 on this road trip falling to 34-36 and 4.5 games out of first place. The Twins will play Washington at home this week, lets hope they can get back on track and pull out another series win.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Misery is Over
An 8-5 victory tonight in Cleveland finally put an end to the Twins 6 game losing streak. The season appeared to hit a low point after losing all 4 to the first place Sox. But last night Scott Baker put up a great performance but was out-dueled by C.C. Sabathia who shut down the Twins in a 5 hit shutout. But at least the Twins could build on not allowing too many runs. Tonight's game the Twins set an aggressive tone early by swinging at first pitches and getting to Paul Byrd in the 3rd inning for 5 runs. The Tribe came back to withing one but the Twins got a couple of insurance runs in the 9th before Nathan shut the door. It was a good win and at least the Twins can now put the losing streak behind them and focus on the future. Kubel had another nice game going 3 for 4 including a 2 run homer.
Gomez and Cassilla also impressed me by there bunting and speed. I think this is a perfect top 2 of the order and defiantly will help get Mauer and Morneau some more RBIs.
The losing streak made me sick. But forget the last game against Baltimore and the first game against Cleveland, it was the Chicago games that really hurt. Chicago beat the Twins around like there were a minor league team and proved that they are the class of the division by far. As the Twins continued to hang around the division lead for May and June, things were looking good before the Sox series but after that many people will start to doubt the Twins. They don't have the starting pitching or bullpen or offense to compete in the American League and if they do continue to hang in there it will be a nice surprise.
It's good that the Twins appear to have found a new ace for the rotation to build around. That man is Scott Baker. I really like the way he finished last season and appears to be returning to form after the injury. After the other 4 starters got roughed up by Chicago he went out there and pitched a great game but couldn't get any offensive help and took a loss. Either way he is hands down the best pitcher on this young staff.
Gomez and Cassilla also impressed me by there bunting and speed. I think this is a perfect top 2 of the order and defiantly will help get Mauer and Morneau some more RBIs.
The losing streak made me sick. But forget the last game against Baltimore and the first game against Cleveland, it was the Chicago games that really hurt. Chicago beat the Twins around like there were a minor league team and proved that they are the class of the division by far. As the Twins continued to hang around the division lead for May and June, things were looking good before the Sox series but after that many people will start to doubt the Twins. They don't have the starting pitching or bullpen or offense to compete in the American League and if they do continue to hang in there it will be a nice surprise.
It's good that the Twins appear to have found a new ace for the rotation to build around. That man is Scott Baker. I really like the way he finished last season and appears to be returning to form after the injury. After the other 4 starters got roughed up by Chicago he went out there and pitched a great game but couldn't get any offensive help and took a loss. Either way he is hands down the best pitcher on this young staff.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Remembering KG
KG and the Celtics will play game 2 of the NBA finals today against the Lakers. I am rooting for Kevin Garnett because he definitely deserves a chance at a title. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves front office wasn't smart enough to give him the help he needed to bring a title to Minnesota. Before KG came to town, the T-wolves were a laughing stock, picking in the top 5 of the lottery every year. They were just a team other teams would beat up on, sort of the Bobcats of that time period. KG made the Wolves relevant as he led them to 8 straight playoff appearances and one Western Conference Final. What a waste it was for the Timberwolves to have one of the best players in the league for all those years and not take advantage of it. They never made the move or brought in the guy who could be second option. One year after going out and getting Cassell and Sprewell and making a long playoff run, the Wolves fell apart completely. 4 straight years without the playoffs, hiring a coach with no trakc record and continuing to employ Kevin McHale has turned this team back into a laughing stock again. Watching KG in the finals had made me really despise what Glen Taylor and Kevin McHale have done to this franchise and it's going to be hard to follow and root for the T-Wolves ever again. Let's hope the Celts can pull this out for KG.
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