Uh oh….
I was a bit busy this weekend, so I didn’t really keep up with Twins’ news. I skim my RSS feed today to learn that Mijares is on the DL with elbow soreness (I was wondering what Burnett was doing back in the majors) and Neshek is out of commission for a few days with a middle finger issue. To top is off, Blackburn is also complaining about elbow soreness. Elbow soreness = bad news.
Like I said earlier in the year, it’ll be injuries that will bring the Twins down in 2010. If, God forbid, Blackburn is sidelined for the year, do the Twins go out and splurge on Washburn and hope for the best? Personally, I think either Duensing or Perkins could pitch as well as Washburn can at this point.
Luckily, the offense is still clicking and Baker, Slowey and Liriano seem to be anchoring the starting rotation. As long as they have that going for them, the Twins should be okay.
1.0 GB!
Don’t look now, but the Twins are one whole game behind the Tigers after defeating Porcello, the Boy Wonder. Actually, they defeated Brandon Lyon, but that’s besides the point.
I haven’t been posting recently for two reasons:
1) I’ve been super busy
2) I don’t know how I feel about the Twins.
Yes they have been winning, but I feel like they are going to let me down at any time. It’s not because I’m a bad fan, it’s just that they aren’t supposed to be doing this well: They are missing Justin Morneau, Kubel is slumping, the rotation is a mess, Tolbert’s playing third, etc. I was waiting for the Twins to pull even or go ahead before I came out of hiding, but one game back is good enough.
This morning’s match-up was Porcello vs. Blackburn and it was a nail-biter. Both starters left with a 1 -1 tie but the Twins ended up scoring two in the top of the 10th inning after botching a suicide squeeze in the 9th (good job, Punto). Nathan came in a gave up a solo shot to Granderson but held on for the save.
Game 2 is tonight and it looks like the pitching match-up is going to be Brian Duensing vs. Justin Verlander. In my opinion, this is the most important game so far this year: if the Twins win, they are guaranteed at least a series split and make it much more likely that they take three of four. The “three of four” goal is pretty much the Twins only chance at a realistic shot at the post season. Being tied in the standings, Minnesota would just need to win more games than the Tigers to end the season. If they tie they force a one-game playoff in the Metrodome since they won the season series (no more of that ‘coin toss’ bullshit). A split means that the Tigers must lose two of three to the drowning White Sox and the Twins must win two of three in KC against the best pitcher in baseball and a streaking offense.
Hopefully the rain holds off and everyone is ready for Game Two!
Dear Tigers: Prepare to be Duensinged! GO TWINS!!!!!!!