FanNation

Twins Blog '08, Week 14 Recap (50-38, 1 GB)

In week one, I stated that I was doing this blog for two simple reasons. First, I have five hours to kill every Monday at my job, and this would give me something to do. Second, I wanted a way to follow the Twins this season, without having to rely on finding the 15 seconds of coverage that ESPN might give the Twins between the wall to wall Yanks/Sawx/Mets/Cubs coverage. So thousands of hits and posts weren't really my objective. If I wanted that, I would write on incendairy topics and be all snarky and obnoxious. But 24 stinking views last week? This is what I'm pouring out my blood, toil, tears and sweat for?  This team is doing great and is one of the best stories of the year. You people suck! You people wouldn't know great writing if it bit you in the **** ! (OK, got that out of my system, and really, not all that concerned...but 24 stinking views?!?)

Twins Blog '08 Week 13 Recap (Half Way Home)

The halfway point in the season and I'm still 'a blogging. Thanks mostly goes to a good Twins team that has kept this season interesting. Let's see, at this point, weren't the Twins supposed to have 35 wins instead of 45? In fact, the Twins .549 win percentage puts them fifth best in the AL, only behind the Red and White Sox, the Rays and the Angles. Too bad for ESPN, they may have to actually pay some attention to them, if they stay in the race. Anyway, in the headlines, Michael Cuddyer (.252/.324/.376) has been put on the 15 day DL, with Denard Span (8 hits in 31 MLB AB's, no extra base hits) being called up from AAA. I guess give him a chance and see if he will surprise. My biggest question though, is when will Francisco Liriano be called up? He's had enough starts in AAA, most of them pretty good, though his last two have been awful. At some point, they will have to give him another chance.

Twins Week 12 Recap (SWEEP! SWEEP!)

OK, one of the two sweeps was against the Nats. But a win is a win and a sweep is a sweep. Better three wins then three loses. The other sweep though, beauty. Can't discount the drubbing they laid on the first place D'Backs. Anyway, six wins at home and back in the race at 40-36 and 1.5 games out of first (thank you, Cubbies). Before moving on, in the headlines...Nick Punto will be reactivated and back in the line up next week, sending Matt Macri back down to AAA. Macri had been doing well with 11 hits and a homerun in 30 AB's. Don't unpack your bags, Matt, you may be called back faster then Punto's BA can plummet to .150.

Twins Week 11 Recap

Well, this week wasn't as bad as last week, but 3-4 wasn't what the Twins needed to recover from last week's debacle. Still, two games under .500 and 4.5 games out of first isn't reason to give up on the season. They're hanging in there. The RS/RA line was 36/ 35. The defense only allowed 3 errors and gave up zero unearned runs for the week. 0-1 in one run games.

Ok, first I was on Boof's ****, now I'm gonna get on Livan's. Hernandez has got to go. Get him the hell out of the starting rotation. This is just putrid. The gory numbers from his last five starts: IP 24.1, Hits 56, ER 30, WHIP 2.48, ERA of 11.20. I mean just how bad does it have to get? Otherwise, the weeks game scores for the starters were serviceable. Glen Perkin's two starts included a 46 and 49, Scott Baker's two included a 57 and 53, Nick Blackburn posted a 54 and Kevin Slowey posted the weeks best with a 69 against Milwaukee on Friday. The bullpen wasn't great this week, posting a WHIP of 1.59 with 4 HR's allowed and a 6.26 ERA in 20.1 IP (23 K's was the only bright spot).

Twins Blog '08, Week 10 Recap (The Horror...The Horror)

I guess it's a good thing I was pessimistic about this week, huh? But before delving into the bloody details, a few other things first. The headlines. The Twins drafted Aaron Hicks, Carlos Gutierrez, and Shooter Hunt in the first round. An OF and two pitchers, respectively. Also in the headlines, it looks like it's goodbye to Juan Rincon. I guess the bullpen will somehow have to get along without his 6.11 ERA. Also, hey hey, Gardenhire has benched Mike Lamb and his .228 BA in favor of Matt Macri. God, do something. The last thing the Twins need is a 3B with a Punto-like .228 BA. Scott Baker made his return to the rotation this week, sending Boof Bonser to long relief, bullpen duties.