Friday Night, September 26, 2008

Royals 8, Twins 1

Alright, that was really a bad showing for the Twins tonight. I'm not really sure what to make of it. I don't want to believe that the Twins had a let down. I prefer to think that it was simply that they got a bad start and faced a Kyle Davies that was really looking pretty tough. I want to say that the team didn't let down because they are adults and have to know that Kansas City has been playing great in September and shouldn't be overlooked. I am pretty sure that it wasn't a let down because they knew that the White Sox do have a solid team and were heading home for three games against another mediocre AL Central team that happens to be playing better of late. I have to believe that they didn't have a let down because they are so close to the playoffs.

But honestly, I can't help but think that there was a let down. Yes, Francisco Liriano was not good at all. He got lit up like a Christmas tree. But when he left the game, they were down 4-0. I didn't see any urgency or enthusiasm from any of the Twins hitters or fielders. Nothing. When they were down 6-1 on Wednesday night, I could feel their enthusiasm through the TV. I really thought that they had a chance to come back. Tonight, I didn't see that at all. They got behind and stopped playing.

Instead of noticing that the White Sox were losing big to Cleveland and thinking that they had a chance to reduce their magic number to two, the just didn't have any fire. That happens during a long season. That can happen in June, July and August. It shouldn't happen in late September with so much on the line.

But again, the Twins lost, but so did the White Sox so the Twins maintain their 1/2 game lead in the division, and their magic number was reduced by one.  Here are a couple more thoughts:

• Joe Mauer went 2-4 to end the game at .331. Dustin Pedroia got the day off and is hitting .325. Milton Bradley went 1-4 and is hitting .324. With a 1-4, Magglio Ordonez falls to .316 and is likely completely out of contention.
• Why did Joe Mauer catch that full game? I realize that Mauer coming out is waving the white towel for the game, but seriously, he has to play each of the next two games (maybe three), so saving even two or three innings would have been good.
• Did you see that the Red Sox called up former Twins farm hand Gil Velezquez yesterday and he was in their lineup tonight. He played 2B for Pedroia and had a single and an RBI in four at bats. Good for him!
• Justin Morneau is 3-23 in the team's last six games. Not exactly MVP-like. It would be great if he could have a couple of big games these last two games to solidify his candidacy.
• Mauer has gone 17-37 (.459) in his last nine games to move from .321 to .331.
• In his last ten games, Delmon Young has gone 16-38 (.433).
• He has had two HUGE hits (2 run, game-tying homer in Tampa and Thursday night's game winning single), but Alexi Casilla has gone 5-30 (.167) in his past seven games.
• In his last eight games, Nick Punto is 4-26 (.154).
• In his last nine games, Brendan Harris has gone 9-23 (.391).
• Brian Buscher has hit .200 (5-25) over his last ten games played.
• It will be very interesting to see how Glen Perkins responds to getting the start tomorrow afternoon. He was skipped on Monday, so he will be going on nine days rest. I personally think he'll do a very good job. If I were forced to predict, I would say he will go 6 innings and give up one run.
• At least Ken Rosenthal is smart!

Any other thoughts on the Twins 8-1 loss to Kansas City, or the White Sox 11-8 loss to Cleveland? What do you think will happen the next two days?

Please feel free to e-mail me at sethspeaksnet@hotmail.com, or you can also leave questions or comments here.

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