Friday, September 15, 2006

Twins Thoughts

Red Wings Notes

NFL "Expert" Picks

Friday Freelance

Good morning! It's Friday... finally! What a long week! It's been a week of ups and downs for the Twins too. Today, I will talk about the Twins win over Cleveland last night. I will post a few thoughts on the Rochester Red Wings game last night. And, of course, it is Friday, so we have our NFL "Expert" Picks as well! I am going to try to keep it short. Please feel free to comment on anything you read here, or send me an e-mail. Let's get started. 

TWINS NOTES

The Twins got a nice 9-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Here are some thoughts on the game and more:

• Boof Bonser had another very solid start. He was just one out from completing the sixth inning when he came out of the game with two runners on and just one run allowed. He had a 4-1 lead. But the first pitch thrown by Jesse Crain was hit over the centerfield wall by Andy Marte to tie the game. In all, Bonser gave up three earned runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out six. He really worked hard, working out of several tough situations.

• Jesse Crain gave up the home run that cost Bonser the Win, but after that first pitch, he was dominant for the final out and the seventh inning. Juan Rincon pitched the eighth without allowing a run, despite one walk. Pat Neshek then struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

• Immediately after the Indians tied the game at four a piece, the Twins scored one in the top of the 7th which made Crain the Winning Pitcher. They added three in the top of the 8th.

• 6 and 7 hitters Torii Hunter and Rondell White combined to go 6-11 with two home runs and six RBI. The two homers were on back to back pitches.

• Three of the four "pira..." (nevermind, that is a dumb nickname)... Jason Bartlett, Luis Castillo and Nick Punto each had two hits, and Castillo added a walk.

• Michael Cuddyer drove in his 100th Run of the year. Since he did it on a bases loaded walk, would it be a RBBI? It marks the first time in 10 years since the Twins last had two 100+ RBI guys. (Molitor and Cordova)

• Justin Morneau had two more hits. He is now hitting .325 on the season. He is amazing!

• Joe Mauer went 1-4 with two walks. His average fell to .347. Derek Jeter went 2-4 in the Yankees 7-4 win over Tampa Bay. He is hitting .346.

• Both the Tigers and White Sox had the night off, so, here are the AL Central standings (just good teams) going into the weekend:

  • Detroit Tigers              87-59    GB

  • Minnesota Twins       86-60    1.0

  • Chicago White Sox    84-62     3.0

• The Tigers have a weekend series in Baltimore against the Orioles. The White Sox are out in Oakland for three games against the A's.

• The results of Francisco Liriano's MRI came back yesterday. It came back exactly the same as it did six weeks ago when he was initially hurt. It shows no structural damage. People are talking about this being a positive thing, and it certainly could be. However, he does still have the mild tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. If six weeks of rest and rehab didn't make it better or stronger, what will the offseason do? The team is saying he will be ready for Spring Training. My thought is that, if it's still torn, will it 'pop' again in May, or August? If he were to have Tommy John surgery now, he would miss next season, and likely be ready for 2008. If he waits, pitches next spring and is hurt in May, it is likely he would miss the rest of 2007 and 2008. I think that a second, third and even fourth opinion might be smart.

• Johan Santana versus Fausto Carmona. Tonight's matchup is certainly one that should give the Twins the advantage. However, baseball is a funny sport. You never know what will happen .Santana is the best pitcher in the league and better in the second half of the season. However, the games are not played on pieces of paper, they are played on TV!

• Oh, that rookie hazing. It's always fun to see what the Twins will dress their rookies up like when they take them on that final road trip. After yesterday's game at the Dome, the rookies had to change into attire selected for them by the Twins veterans. They had to wear it to the airport, on the plane and to the hotel. However, the Indians were playing a night game and several of the rookies decided to go to the game. Here is a picture:

• 

• Chris Heintz, Matt Garza, Pat Neshek, Alexi Casilla and Willie Eyre... Lookin' Good! Or... something like that!

If you have any thoughts on the Twins season, or anything Twins related, please send me an e-mail, or post some Comments down below.
 

ROCHESTER LEADS SERIES 2-1

NFL "EXPERT" PICKS

NOTE - I will check for the rest of the missing picks in the morning at which time this chart and the Summary below it will be updated. Hopefully I will get the picks before I head to work. Check back later. Thanks!

WEEK 2

In case you missed it yesterday...

Summary

Looking at the selections of the 17 panelists, here is who the collective "We" think will win each game:

If you have any thoughts, opinions, comments, critiques, or ideas on anything, please e-mail me, or let's get a discussion going in the Comments. Have a great weekend!

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