Game 158: White Sox @ Twins
by Jesse
on Sep 24, 2008 5:57 PM EDT
in Game Threads
Chicago White Sox @ Minnesota Twins
Pregame
HA! Six months ago, I'd have thought all my wildest and unrealistic dreams had come true if you'd told me that at game 158...GAME 158...the Twins would still be in the picture. Just goes to show that I've still got a ways to go before I make the Brain Trust.
With last night's big win still fresh in our minds we move onto the next step. A loss tonight erases everything and not only erases the bit of progress we did make, but the hammer comes down as far as time is concerned. The Twins are still out of it, time that is, which makes this game as much of a "must win" as the series opener. One intangible that I do like: this is Chicago's division to lose. Minnesota has second place, there's nowhere to go but up. I like to think that the additional pressure that's on the Sox is our advantage, particularly in the Dome.
Making the biggest start of his professional career is Nick Blackburn, who's coming off of two lack luster starts in a row. His ERA has ballooned nearly half a run over those two appearances, which is only a by-product of how hittable he's been. Indeed, five days ago in Tampa when Blackburn couldn't get out of the second inning for the second time this season, he even had a difficult time throwing strikes. To find his groove again, much like Stella, he needs to not just start throwing with confidence again, but he needs to start hitting his spots and getting movement back on those breaking balls. When you can't throw the breaking ball for strikes (or anything else for that matter), it's a long night for any pitcher, and for a guy with stuff like Blackburn it's even more important that he has his full arsenal available. Tonight I'd like to think we'll get the best of Nick Blackburn. Don't touch that dial, kids.
On the other side, it's Mark Buehrle:
Mark Buehrle: Over his last four starts he's been Mega-Man for Chicago, lasting 25.1 innings and allowing just six earned runs. Over the years he's been Mega-Man for Chicago against the Twins--he's an arch nemesis that's familiar and leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and only a win can wash it away until the next time. Much like Vazquez, he's tougher on righties and he's tougher at home, which means that in a world where I'm looking for any possible edge to give the Twins I'm coming up with another easy one. No surprise to anyone, Buehre is having a good season, but there are two things I've noticed that are much different than last season. First, he's throwing harder; every one of his pitches has a bit of extra kick this year. Second, he's getting more ground balls (48.7%, up from 43.2% in 2007). For what it's worst, he's 1-2 against the Twins this season--one great start and a pair that he'd probably like to forget.
Game two of the playoffs kicks off momentarily.
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Blackie Needs to Pitch Well Tonight
we Need Every Precious Victory, GO TWINS!!!!!!!!!
by Tony_O on Sep 24, 2008 6:00 PM EDT 0 recs
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blackie needs to leave it all here tonight. We need to go into the series with the Royals with the lead in the division. Then we need to stomp the bluebloods. But, for right now… GO TWINS….
by Beerbear on Sep 24, 2008 6:28 PM EDT 0 recs
Lineup Widget Still Not Ready...
Lineups
Chicago
Wise, LF
Cabrera, SS
Dye, RF
Thome, DH
Konerko, 1B
Griffey, CF
Ramirez, 2B
Pierzynski, C
Uribe, 3B
Twins
Span, RF
Casilla, 2B
Mauer, C
Morneau, 1B
Kubel, DH
Young, LF
Harris, 3B
Punto, SS
Gomez, CF
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 6:51 PM EDT 0 recs
rolling out the same lineup
as yesterday except Harris is in at 3B instead of Buscher….heres to hoping they win!
I am sorry guys but I will have to deprive you of my Human Gameday abilities for 20 minutes of this game! I must eat you know!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 7:12 PM EDT 0 recs
oh Jesse
come on….you know you wouldnt miss Tea Time ;)
But never fear…I shall return and lead the troops to victory with my fast fingers updating everybody on the war front!
You staying up for this one? or are you going to go to bed yet again? I vote for the go to bed personally because then the Twins might score 9 runs again! jk….you do whatever you want!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 7:26 PM EDT
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I'll be up for a bit of this one...
…hopefully the first couple of innings. I’d hate to curse them by actually watching one live!
by Jesse on
Sep 24, 2008 7:36 PM EDT
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I have mixed feelings about this game
I feel either the Twins will basically get no hit because Buerle will just be as sharp as a razor and we will lose 3-0 or we will kill Buerle, slashing out hits, and knocking him out of the game in the 4th inning and go on to win 8-2.
I hope its my second feeling that will be the correct one!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 7:34 PM EDT 0 recs
That's true,
just 3 days. Hopefully that plays a role.
by Jesse on
Sep 24, 2008 8:00 PM EDT
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GO TWINS!!!!!
"I don't care about feelings." - Lou Piniella
by natetheskate on Sep 24, 2008 7:49 PM EDT 0 recs
seconded!
.5 games back call boys!!!!!!!!!!! (knocking on wood)
“Jump on my back and I will carry you!” – Kirby Puckett R.I.P. We need somebody to say that tonight!…and for the rest of the season!
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 8:03 PM EDT
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I think it's Morneau's turn, buddy
At least I hope it is.
"I don't care about feelings." - Lou Piniella
by natetheskate on
Sep 24, 2008 8:08 PM EDT
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3 run Jack
just missed a 3 run homer there…….unfortunately Griffey robbed him…is that even possible? He must have skied it so that way Griffey could get under it.
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:34 PM EDT 0 recs
Blackburn made a mistake there
he fielded that ball when it was going foul and thus let Thomer score.
We are tied at 1
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:34 PM EDT 0 recs
mistake there by Punto
he could have easily had Uribe out at first but he didnt throw the ball…off the glove of Blackburn and it dribbled to Punto but he decided to hold the ball and not to throw to first and get Uribe by about 10 feet.
Who exactly is he playing for?
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM EDT
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Thomer scoring was on a bunch of mistakes
Span not throwing the ball into second to get Thomer out by a few feet at second…he would have had Thomer dead but he didnt throw it in. Punto went to first and a grounder to him and didnt attempt to get Thomer going to third. Blackburn fielding a squibber that was going foul and tagged out Griffey instead of letting it go foul and leaving Thomer at third
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:38 PM EDT 0 recs
C'mon Blackburn,
treat Wise like the inexperienced major leaguer he is.
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 8:39 PM EDT 0 recs
Wise
HE GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE GONE!!!!!!!!!
K for Blacky!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:40 PM EDT 0 recs
YES!!!
Wise: K’d
Atta boy Blackburn. Now this offense needs to pick that run back up, let’s go boys!
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 8:40 PM EDT 0 recs
Whew!
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 PM EDT 0 recs
They didn't paly well that inning but survived with one run.
That folks was not heads up baseball.
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:41 PM EDT 0 recs
*play
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:42 PM EDT 0 recs
Go-Go with a bunt base hit!!!!!!!!!
bye bye Konerko is what Gomez said as he speed by Paulie……
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:44 PM EDT 0 recs
will we now see a double steal?
Punto on second (most likely to get thrown out) and Gomez at first.
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 8:45 PM EDT
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How did he bunt that?
It looked like it was 9 feet inside.
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:46 PM EDT 0 recs
NOW is probably the time we will see the double steal!
Gomez and Span on the bases? most likely!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:47 PM EDT 0 recs
does Buerle really not like Casilla
thats twice he has tried to hit him.
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:47 PM EDT 0 recs
I don't know but if he wanted to load em,
that’d be fine with me
by JopeX37 on
Sep 24, 2008 8:48 PM EDT
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SPAN Baby
Jesse you stayin up for the entire game brother?
by Tony_O on Sep 24, 2008 8:47 PM EDT 0 recs
Haha...I wish, dude.
I have to work in the morning, but I seriously HAD to catch part of this game LIVE. I’m hoping to make it through the 3rd before I crash!
by Jesse on
Sep 24, 2008 8:48 PM EDT
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Span has stepped it up today.
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:47 PM EDT 0 recs
Gomez was out
but he was stepped on by Cabrera…BOOO!!!!!
Gomez called safe by the umpire
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:48 PM EDT 0 recs
Green light! come on!
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:49 PM EDT 0 recs
3-1 to Mauer!
Buerhle is looking like he doesnt have any command right now!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:51 PM EDT 0 recs
Mauer beats out the DP
Mauer hustled down that line and what a take out slid by Casilla!
Gomez scores and the Twins lead 3-1!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:52 PM EDT 0 recs
I'll take that!
At this point I’ll definitely trade a run for an out.
3-1, Twins!
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT 0 recs
It looked like it was ball 4; was it?
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT 0 recs
it was...
it was about 2-3 inches outside and Mauer reached for it. If he didnt he would have walked the run in and Morneau would have a better AB.
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 8:54 PM EDT
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Morneau bounces out to Konerko
at least we got one…but honestly I would have liked it much better if Mauer singled and Morneau homered….ah well, maybe next time around!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT 0 recs
Dear Justin,
Right now would be a great time for HR #24.
Sincerely,
Jesse
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 8:53 PM EDT 0 recs
He needs to go after these guys instead of farting around
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Sep 24, 2008 8:56 PM EDT 0 recs
HARRIS!!!!!
WHAT A PLAY! DOVE-BACKHANDED IT-AND THREW OUT THE SPEEDY CABRERA!
by 33MorneauMVP on Sep 24, 2008 8:58 PM EDT 0 recs
Off topic: I can't get into facebook right now.
Bastards.
by Jesse on Sep 24, 2008 8:58 PM EDT 0 recs
this is so much fun to be using Hawks
lines against his beloved Sox!
Good guys 3
Bad guys 1
by 33MorneauMVP on
Sep 24, 2008 9:02 PM EDT
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