Game 110: Indians @ Twins
Cleveland Indians at Minnesota Twins, Aug 2, 2008 7:10 PM EDT
Pregame
Left-hander Paul Byrd, 37-going-on-a-perpetual-45, gets his fourth start of the season against the Twins tonight. Only one, the first, was effective, and in total he's logged 15.1 innings while allowing 20 hits (four homers) and 13 runs, whie recording seven strikeouts and just four walks. On the whole it's been an off-year for Byrd, who's been more reliable than effective on the whole since 2005. Still, the Twins have their troubles versus southpaws (as we all know), so in situations like this the fact that the guys has been hittable this year doesn't necessarily work against thim. His FIP is 5.44.
Kevin Slowey is coming off of a complete game shutout over the White Sox, which was his first good start since throwing a complete game shutout versus the Brewers. In between there were a trio of sub-par performances, so here's hoping his second shutout of the year doesn't have echoes of the first. At any rate, Kevin's good for a few strikeouts in each game, a walk or two and if he doesn't have his best stuff probably a home run. But he's a flyball pitcher, and on the season has kept the ball in the park as well as you could hope for...if not better. Slowey is effective when he busts guys inside, and he's been doing that far more often this season, making him that much better. Against a depleted Cleveland lineup, look for more of the same.
I can't predict how the Indians will throw together a lineup, but I'd think that with Grady Sizemore leading off, the best thing they could do would be to line up Ben Francisco, Jhonny Peralta and Kelly Shoppach. Having Casey Blake would help out a little, but he's gone, and so with the absence of Victor Martinez and no Travis Hafner, throwing together a starting nine in Cleveland right now reminds me of lineups in the Dome around 1998.
Against a southpaw, the Twins lineup will likely look something like this: Span (RF), Punto (2B), Mauer (C), Morneau (1B), Young (LF), Ruiz (DH), Harris (3B), Everett (SS), Gomez (CF)
Or, in other words, exactly how it looked last night.
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70 comments
Comments
Byrd
Throw Righthanded. Buscher and Kubel in—probably Everett and Ruiz out.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Aug 2, 2008 5:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gardy suspended a game
Looks like Scottie Ulger’s our skipper tonight.
"I don't care about feelings." - Lou Piniella
by natetheskate on Aug 2, 2008 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lineups
Twins goes like this: Span (RF) Punto (2B) Mauer© Morneau (1B) Kubel (DH) Young (LF) Buscher (3B) Harris (SS) Gomez (CF)
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Lineup proposal
Byrd has enormous splits this year.
vs righties .251/.283/.396
vs lefties .329/.369/.573
I’d show’em the lefties, but if Ulger is in charge tonight he knows even less about this sort of thing than Gardy so I expect zero creativity.
Span CF
Punto 2B
Mauer C
Morneau 1B
Young LF
Kubel RF
Busher 3B
Lamb DH
Harris SS
Posible player of the game Jason Kubel:
10 for 21 lifetime against Byrd, (.476/.500/.857)
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 5:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Smell the blood tonight boys
Royals are pounding on Mark Burhle and the Pale Hosers
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LaVelle has the lineup
It’s Punto, Harris, and Buscher in the infield with Kubel DHing, as expected against a righthander.
by Hoya on Aug 2, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Royals 9, White Sox 7
Twins could move into first tonight with a win…
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A little off-topic...
..but I just saw that Manny said he wants to finish his career with the Didgers. This guy is so random.
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I
I encourage him to take that route
then the Twins will only face him in teh World Series and random interleague games
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 2, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He must be jealous of all the press A-Rod has been getting
So now he’ll say anything so he can get the #1 headline on espn’s baseball page. These guys make me sick. Thank god for Minnesota Twins baseball.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two innings..
..and three strikeouts for Slowey.
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Harris
Last 5 hits have been doubles
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
wow
Slowey is on top of it so far….4 Ks in 3 innings? Reminds me of Santana and Liriano days!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully...
..we’ll see much of the same tomorrow :)
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am
going up to the game tomorrow! Time for the Franchise to show us Ks
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully you’ll see a lot of them…
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gomez
showed him bunt all the way and Marte still does not get him…..wow…..no chance!!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
G0-Go is hitting better since he got hurt (sat a little bit).
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Span
bunts his way on!!!!! this is Twins baseball….this is Rabbits baseball!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Punto
bunts it and (what?) he is thrown out…way to stop the streak Punto…Gawd. haha Way to Go
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I want to see Morneau up with the bases loaded. The way he has cleared the bases time and time again since the break and all.
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He just needs to put the ball in play (no DP) and get us on the board…
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least we got on the board first.
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
and if Slowey
keeps doing what he is doing this team will be back in the dugout in no time!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn
Kubel almost had it there
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gordo and Gladden
are saying that Hamilton deserves the MVP…maybe he does, but Hamilton is not the only one on the team that a good player. Morneau is the real MVP cause he carries this team pretty much every day and also Texas aint going to the Playoffs and if the Twins do it should be Morneau to get it….I cant think of anybody else besides Hamilton and Morneau that deserve the MVP award….(Quentin maybe?)
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed 100%
I been saying that all along.
Check out Goal Line Blitz, a fun web-based American footbal MMORPG
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=2882412
by joeiscool12 on Aug 2, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hamilton is below average away from Arlington
Home 360/410/685
Road 260/323/410
that’s pathetic
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is
wow. and isnt Texas a pitchers park and if he cant hit in hitters parks that is sad….
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Texas
is actually an extreme hitters park
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh well
anyways that is pathetic anyways…..
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
jetstreams
the seems to be a jetstream in Arlington. right in the power alley
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 2, 2008 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morneau it doesn't matter much
Home 303/361/514
Away 333/425/544
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miscommunication there
and Dellucci is the tying run on second with a bloop gift wrapped double…..
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We're...
..normally not very good in games where we can move into first. Hopefully tonight we can finally do it.
by Twins Territory on Aug 2, 2008 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
come on Slowey
get the Franchise…oops sorry wrong guy
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lets go Slowey!
one down…lets get Peralta
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
dagn it
ah well…get the next two guys! Get them OUT that is!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
there is the second out…kinda scary but we got it.
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
alright
just get us back in the dugout Slowey! come on man…lets go Slowey lets go! (clap clap)
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3rd out!
alright…lets score some more and back Slowey here! LETS GO TWINS!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shopach
I was watching that guy live yesterday. His swing is all upper-cut. I don’t know if he’s capable of hitting the ball on the ground.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dellucci
is killing us today….gotta find some way to get him out.
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why?
Franchise! you do NOT rob us! gawd damn you…..
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3 up...3 down.
mostly due to Francisco out in RF robbing Young off extra Bases!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
alright
Slowey…how bout we get Dellucci OUT this time!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
alright its time for the
bats to WAKE UP!!! Its the 5th inning…this is OUR inning!!!!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
GAWD!!!!
we cant score vs BYRD???!!! that is sad!
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
did Sizemore just rob Mauer?
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
pretty much
he caught it…with a little leap at the wall.
by 33MorneauMVP on Aug 2, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slowey
Unfortuanetely he didn’t pitch terribly but it looks like these guys came in today swinging for all or nothing and Slowey got burned twice.
Gardenhire's major league career: Banjo hitting, futility infielder who couldn't lick it.
Rick Anderson's major league career: Strikethrower who never made it happen with his sub 90's fastball.
Really gives a new definition to living vicariously through other people, don't it?
by caseintheface on Aug 2, 2008 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the Twins
the Twins can still salvage the series with a win tommorrow
40,000 + at the Dome tonight. This homestand had had 30,000+ crowds for every game, and this is the second 40k+
by DedicatedFollowerOfFashion on Aug 2, 2008 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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