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Game 157: White Sox @ Twins

Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins


By the numbers, here are some key match-ups which will give us a cursory idea of strengths, weaknesses and marginal advantages.

Starters

Team IP WHIP K/9 P/PA Avg Obp Slg
Twins 920.2 1.36 5.54 3.65 .284 .324 .444
White Sox 952.1 1.30 6.68 3.74 .261 .316 .415

Some of these numbers are still inflated by Livan Hernandez, but there's no denying Chicago has seen some good years coming from their rotation.  They do a decent job of keeping hitters off-balance by having finesse pitchers mixed with guys who can rack up some strikeouts.  The Twins have strong performers at the front of their rotation in Francisco Liriano and Scott Baker, but the Sox have a bit more experience and are still having the better season overall.  Also, the Sox won't have to face Liriano this series.  Advantage:  White Sox

Relievers

Team IP WHIP K/9 P/PA Avg Obp Slg
Twins 475.1 1.36 7.23 3.74 .259 .326 .414
White Sox 434.2 1.35 7.91 3.82 .257 .327 .394

Matt Thornton, Octavio Dotel, Bobby Jenks; three solid and reliable relief pitchers that on any given night can be counted on to shut down an offense.  It's hard to come up with a list of three names on the Twins side that can do the same thing, in spite of the fact that according to the little chart both bullpens come out pretty even.  There's Joe Nathan, of course.  Then Jesse Crain, who hasn't been used in almost a week but has generally been effective.  Oh, and Craig Breslow, he can be counted too.  Sadly, given the option, if asked which three I'd prefer to entrust a three-run lead to it'd be Thornton-Dotel-Jenks.  I feel like a traitor.  Advantage:  White Sox

Other Match-Ups of Note

Chicago Hitters VS RHP:  .267/.333/.446    With all three Twins hurlers being righties, I thought this significant.  It's not horribly encouraging, but in addition to familiarity breeding contempt, hate, jealousy and sometimes boredom, it also breeds the ability to pick apart flaws.  Hopefully Baker, Blackburn and Slowey can do just that.

Twins Best VS LHP    This is always important.  This season, it's Joe Mauer (.959 OPS), Matt Macri (.917), Denard Span (.897), Justin Morneau (.793), Adam Everett (.773) and Delmon Young (.771).

Twins Hitters VS Chicago:  .273/.333/.417    That's not too bad, especially considering who's likely to see a lot of playing time in the series.  All of the following have an OPS of .828 or higher against the Sox this season:  Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, Joe Mauer, Jason Kubel, Nick Punto, Carlos Gomez and Mike Redmond.

White Sox On Turf:  .227/.285/.361    I like this one.  We'll end on a high note.


W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Scott Baker 9-4 26 26 0 0 0 0 158.1 152 65 65 20 40 128 3.69 1.21


W-LGGSCGSHOSVBSIPHRERHRBBKERAWHIP
2008 - Javier Vazquez 12-14 31 31 1 0 0 0 200.0 202 101 96 23 58 192 4.32 1.30



0 recs | Comment 175 comments

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Vazquez...

…his record, ERA, and walks on turf really make this look a little more encouraging. Hopefully the Twins can take advantage of this and make Ozzie get out of his seat tonight. I want to see a complete meltdown for the entire series! Go TWINS!!! Summer of Stun!!! Lets let fate decide this one! Remember who won the 87, 91, 08 Super Bowls? Remember who won the 87, 91, 08? World Series. Go TWINS!!

by Gornara on Sep 23, 2008 6:50 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's win tonight!!!

We need a big game from Scott Baker and a little help from his friends. WIN TWINS!!

by Jesse on Sep 23, 2008 7:11 PM EDT   0 recs

Are you staying up for the whole thing, Jesse?

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Sadly, no.

I have to go to bed…work in the morning.

Enjoy the game, though! I’ll be catching it tomorrow!!

by Jesse on Sep 23, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Pfh, call in sick. Who cares if you're up until 3?

This is a relatively big game.

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Haha...relatively?

It’s a massive game. I wish I could call in, but it’s just not in the cards.

Catch you tomorrow duder!

by Jesse on Sep 23, 2008 7:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds good, sleep well!

And never call me “duder” again. :)

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It is tempting to stay up though...

…this is a HUGE game…I’m so excited I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep anyway…but I have to try.

Peace out, TT!!

by Jesse on Sep 23, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully you will

wake up to a Twins Victory tomorrow Jesse! G’Night and GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 23, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Calls

1—Scott Baker, 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 5 K, 1 BB
2—HR’s from Delmon Young, Justin Morneau
3—Big defensive play from Denard Span

by Jesse on Sep 23, 2008 7:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Calls

1 – Scott Baker, 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 4 K, 0 BB
2 – HR from Morneau
3 – Gomez, 3-4 with 2B, 2 RBI
4 – Great Defense
5 – Win? 5-3; Lose? 6-3

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 23, 2008 7:25 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

My calls

1—Scott Baker, 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 8 K, 3 BB
2—No home runs in the game
3—Carlos Gomez, 2 SB, 0 R

Twins 2, White Sox 1

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Any pre-game rituals that we need to do?

All while pounding on wood, of course.

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:31 PM EDT   0 recs

None? I'm pouring the Sierra Mist down my throat by the gallon-full.

Hey, anything for the Twins, right?

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

anyone breaking out the gear

like it’s the playoffs?

Home cap, home jersey, glove on the coffee table?

Jobu statue on the mantle?

by caluofmn on Sep 23, 2008 7:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

This is it!

Lets do this. Go Twins!

by .mnqwerd on Sep 23, 2008 7:32 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm nervous and want something to divert my attention for the last couple of minutes.

Anyone up to date on Vikings football?

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 7:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Alright boys!

HERE IT COMES!!!!!!!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 23, 2008 8:08 PM EDT   0 recs

Crowd

sounds pretty healthy…Who’s watching?

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:12 PM EDT   0 recs

CALLED 3RD STRIKE

Beautiful 1 IP 2 K’s. Keep it up Baker. Now let’s give him an early lead

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 8:16 PM EDT   0 recs

Twins

go down in order

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:24 PM EDT   0 recs

ah oh

ChiSox threat!

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 23, 2008 8:31 PM EDT   0 recs

DP!

but Thomer scores

by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 23, 2008 8:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Walk

to Morneau…let’s make something happen here!

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:38 PM EDT   0 recs

HELL YES

GO KUBEL!!!!!!

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

2-2 to Kubel...

…and he HOMERS!

2-1 Twins!

KUBEL!

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:40 PM EDT   0 recs

DY

Single

by .mnqwerd on Sep 23, 2008 8:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's keep this going.

Let’s keep Vazquez on the ropes tonight. I smell the Chicago bullpen!

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hope for

a really big inning here
Kubel started things, still no out

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:43 PM EDT   0 recs

One away.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

This is what I projected the final score to be.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

Stay out

of that DP Nicky…

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:45 PM EDT   0 recs

That's Gomez's job...

If he screws this up I’ll shoot myself in the lip.

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You

just about had that right

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 8:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Darn it!

I forgot to knock on wood. Anway, a sacrifice from Gomez puts two in scoring position for Denard Span.

Two outs. This could be the last opportunity we receive in a while. Here’s hoping we take advantage of it.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Little Nicky Punto!

Singles! Runners on the corners with one out.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:46 PM EDT   0 recs

Smell 'em

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 8:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Span grounds out...

Inning over.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:49 PM EDT   0 recs

Could have

used a couple more runs there. Span grounded out with two in scoring position.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 8:50 PM EDT   0 recs

One down.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:53 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's go Baker

The Twins have a lead, now hold it!

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 8:54 PM EDT   0 recs

One on, one out.

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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:55 PM EDT   0 recs

Mauer concentration

Catching the ball and tossing his mask to the ump in one smooth motion

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 8:55 PM EDT   0 recs

He isn't every other game?

Viking Vigil
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by Andersklasen on Sep 23, 2008 8:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I just thought it was funny

I don’t think he meant to toss his mask to the ump but he happened to catch it. Just was amusing to me, small minds are easily amused.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good battle

between Baker and AJ.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 8:59 PM EDT   0 recs

We win

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

15 pitches

that A.J. has seen. Damn, he’s starting to piss me off.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Two easy outs

from Casilla and Mauer

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 9:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Let's not get complacent

Damn, that was a sad inning out of our 2 3 4 spots.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:07 PM EDT   0 recs

3 4 5

Every time I get to see those 3 sit down I feel much better.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:16 PM EDT   0 recs

Nice

SLIDE YOUNG SLIDE.

I shouldn’t criticize him especially tonight but damn dude, just about had a needless out there because he wouldn’t just get down.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:18 PM EDT   0 recs

There ya go

That’s how it’s done :)

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good AB

here for Gomez

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 9:25 PM EDT   0 recs

Keep 'em coming, boys!

2008 Minnesota Twins…where no lead is safe

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 9:27 PM EDT   0 recs

Agreed

Especially with all those home run hitters playing for the guys with black unis and white stockings.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 9:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Clayton Richard

It’s always nice to see a guy with a 6 + ERA start warming up in the opponents bullpen

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:28 PM EDT   0 recs

Uh oh!

Two on, none out.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 9:40 PM EDT   0 recs

two on, two out

Come on Baker get that final out

by .mnqwerd on Sep 23, 2008 9:45 PM EDT   0 recs

Huge Inning...

…to get out of with the bases loaded!!! Great job Baker!

by Gornara on Sep 23, 2008 9:51 PM EDT   0 recs

Lets Go JOE

And before I’m done typing Justin Morneau extends the lead.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:53 PM EDT   0 recs

6-1 Twins

Mauer single, J Mo double

by .mnqwerd on Sep 23, 2008 9:53 PM EDT   0 recs

M V P M V P M V P M V P

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Brian Buscher

I’d really like to see a review of his defensive #‘s anyone know where to find those? I don’t know a ton about defensive #‘s but damn, he’s looked pretty good to me other than a few errant throws from time to time.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:56 PM EDT   0 recs

I say steal

A. J. s got no arm. Steal so we’re out of the double play

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 9:57 PM EDT   0 recs

On Gameday

I see a lot of scoring drives to CF. Man, that move for Jr. by the Sox sure was saavy…

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 9:57 PM EDT   0 recs

remember CF is the easiest position in the OF

as long as you still have some wheels… but Junior… his wheels are not as young as they used to be

by caluofmn on Sep 23, 2008 10:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yup

it was a move to just get the team in the papers but it didn’t make sense then and it may make even less sense at the end of the season

by caluofmn on Sep 23, 2008 10:12 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully

They brought Jr. in just to educate the team on off-season icing techniques

by Chuck Tweedy on Sep 23, 2008 10:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

91 pitches

I say send him out for one more inning

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Sep 23, 2008 10:04 PM EDT   0 recs

I agree...

…give him another inning, he is HOT!

by Gornara on Sep 23, 2008 10:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lookin' good

Six run lead with nine outs to get. I’ll count the outs no matter how many runs the Twins are ahead.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 23, 2008 10:07 PM EDT   0 recs