Game 160: Royals @ Twins
by Jesse on Sep 26, 2008 6:23 PM EDT
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PrintKansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins, Sep 26, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
Pregame
The Royals currently sit one half of a game in front of the Detroit Tigers as the AL Central's bottom dweller. For a team that's finished better than fourth only twice since 1995, and in fifth four years running, staying out of last place is something that matters. Kyle Davies will do what he can to keep the Royals winning, and if he's the same guy he's been his last two times out then the Twins will have their work cut out for them: 15 innings, two runs, seven hits. This will be his third time facing the Twins; he's 0-2 in eight innings, with seven runs, six walks and five strikeouts. Davies will toss a low-90's fastball, a mid to upper-80's slider, a curve and a changeup.
Taking charge of game one for the Twins is Francisco Liriano, who's coming off of a great start against the Rays: seven innings, seven strikeouts, one walk. It's now been 10 starts since his return from the disabled list, and he's accumulated some impressive numbers: 61.1 innings, 55 strikeouts, 48 hits and a stellar 2.05 ERA. Included in those ten outings are seven quality starts, five innings of shutout ball, and another start where he was one out short of that vaunted QS. His fasball is now running regularly around 90-92, while his slider and off-speed pitch both come in around the low-80's. Oh, and two of those ten starts we were just discussing came against the Royals: 13.2 innings, five runs, 11 strikeouts. I'll take the average of those numbers please, thanks very much!
Lineup Predictions
Royals: DeJesus (RF), Aviles (SS), Guillen (DH), Shealy (1B), Teahen (LF), Gordon (3B), Buck (C), Callaspo (2B), Maier (CF)
Twins: Span (RF), Casilla (2B), Mauer (C), Morneau (1B), Kubel (DH), Young (LF), Buscher (3B), Punto (SS), Gomez (CF)
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One more thing....my predictions:
1—Twins win 8-3
2—Liriano goes 7, 6 K’s, 2 BB’s, 2 R’s
3—Morneau, Kubel HR
4—Gomez strikes out twice
5—Michael Cuddyer PH single
My predictions
1—Twins lose 5-3
2—Liriano, 5 IP, 5 ER, 6 K, 2 BB
3—Morneau, 0-3, 1 RBI
4—Mauer, 2-4, 1 RBI
5—Scoreless innings from the bullpen
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Come on Andy
Your Not a Twins Fan Anymore Man, Why you gotta predict us to lose, go cheer on the white sux or whatever team you are loyal to, because you my friend, are a twins fan no longer.
Hey, now.
That’s uncalled for. Sure I’m a fan, but I doubt they win this game.
I’ll go to SSS as soon as I die.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
When did I say that I didn't?
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions
don't worry
I was just taking the opportunity to make a Seinfeld reference. It really wasn’t supposed to mean anything.
Gotcha
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Important for Liriano
To be strong early, so that the Twins can build off the momentum from last night.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
ESPN crawl
mentioned Lee might not start for the Tribe on Sunday due to a stiff neck…
that would suck
A very tidy 11 pitch inning from Liriano
Let’s hope he keeps it up, and that he refrains from “pulling a Slowey.”
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Slowey looked sharp yesterday...
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, I'll try being a little unrealistic.
We’ll see how it goes.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha, no. Just a weird day for me today...
I guess it’s showing. ;)
Sorry. Maybe I’ll just watch some clips from last night. That aught’a brighten me up.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Man, dang
Other than a Family Member dying, or getting the news that youve been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, How can you be down in the dumps after last night
And I gotta admit...
I’m sick with all the optimism that was gained after the win. The White Sox aren’t a good team at all. The fact that Twins swept them is good, but it doesn’t prove anything. We still suck as well…lol
Whichever team reaches the playoffs will be swept by the Rays.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
true,
but it will still be fun to get there
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey!
What’s up! Haven’t seen you in a while!
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
At least these guys are getting Davies' pitch count up
and allowed everyone to see what he’s offering and when. That is crucial…
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The fans
The fans have been awesome in this homestand.
A commentor on SethSpeaks
said that this crowd is louder than it was in ’87 during the World Series. The sound level there was 125 dB, which is considered the Threshold of Pain.
Louder than that? Unbelievable. Wish I was there as well.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
The fans played a role
Andrew: I thought the fans were awesome in the series against Chicago. They gave the Twins a huge lift last night and throughout the series. I thought when Blackburn was struggling Wednesday night, the fans gave him that support and he fed off from that. Twins fans knew when to cheer and stand up. They were the best this week. They need to be like that this entire weekend.
Let's go Bucsher!
Show off that .295 average!
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Nevermind...
You can keep your .294 average. Darn you.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
This is not going to be easy
I am pretty sure the Twins won’t have any letdown. The problem is KC is not that bad as their record indicates. They can play, and I think they can be good next year.
Liriano
The Royals are hitting the ball well off him.
C’mon, Frankie.
Royals seem to be hitting Liriano around
This team better wake up, shake off the celebration from last night and win this game
This could be a long night
Now, Frankie really can’t let this get away.
Wow, he doesn’t look good at all tonight. Bye-bye division lead. This team cannot beat the bad teams, see: Seattle, Oakland, Detroit, KC.
I'd say Chicago was a bad team.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
no, they've handled KC all season
but they seem to have no intensity so far…
they need to continue to play as if the season depended on it
Random note:
Casilla leads the AL in sac hits (13), and Mauer leads the AL in sac flies (10).
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Liriano fails to set the tone
Your starting pitcher needs to deliver every five days.
Liriano was the guy that was supposed to do that.
He has nothing.
this looks alot like the Liriano I saw in Oakland back in May
and yup KC looks like a team w/ nothing to lose…
Twins finally get to bat. Let’s get some runs
Is a sweep a must?
Do the Twins really need a sweep this weekend? I feel like they do because they can’t rely on Cleveland helping the Twins out.
If the Twins win out, the White Sox still control their destiny.
They would need to win five in a row if the Twins sweep KC. We need to depend on Cleveland at least a little, unless we want to wait until that possible playoff game.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
inning
Just wasn’t hitting spots. At what point do you just say “"” it and pull him for someone else. I know four runs isn’t an enormous lead but come on.
Tough inning
They hit him pretty hard. He started slow his last three starts and was able to rally in two of them. Let’s hope he finds his mojo.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 9:00 PM EDT reply actions
Disappointing
I am just disappointed that Frankie did not give the team the lift they needed.
Okay, you know your offense sucks when your side gets K'd by Kyle Davies.
I guess he has been solid lately, though.
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Wow
Not good developments in the last half hour. Of course a Sox win coupled with a Twins loss would be bad, very bad, and put the Sox back in the driver’s seat.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions
This sweep
Boy this Chicago sweep sure is forgotten in a hurry, eh.
Liriano at 80 pitches already
and its only the 4th
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
Not to toot my own horn...
But I predicted five innings from him, giving up five runs.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Liriano
I am very disappointed in him.
I thought tonight was the night that he would give the team a lift. He failed badly.
Get this interaction from SSS today...typical Chicago classiness
The only two guys worth a damn on that team are Mauer and Morneau
the rest are all role players.
by El Duque’s Raft on Sep 25, 2008 10:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Twins fan here
And there are a couple of other guys who are young yet but show a lot of promise, Young, Gomez, Span and Casilla to name a few.
But I think the main point you are trying to make is correct: the Twins have a lot of role players.
Now Baseball is not hockey, but I played college hockey and I was a role player. Role players are a vital ingredient to a winning team.
When you have a team of super egos like the Sox have, no one is willing to do the little dirty things necessary to win, or to hustle their butts off. They are too busy looking good and trying to prove their worth to themselves and each other. Hell even your catcher thinks he’s a superstar who shouldn’t have to get his jersey dirty.
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 10:34 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
flagged
get off our site douche bag
by U-God on Sep 26, 2008 10:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:25 PM EDT reply actions
You tell 'em!
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Question
If the White Sox win and Twins lose tonight, the Twins could be eliminated tomorrow with a White Sox win, right?
No. If we lose tonight but win tomorrow.
And the Sox win both today and tomorrow, that would put the lead at a half game.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Wrong
The Twins can’t be eliminated until Sunday. Even with two sox wins and two Twins Losses. That would put us 1.5 back with Sunday to play and then the sox make up game
I hate to say this
The Twins are done.
The Twins needed to go get a sweep.
you're assuming the sox don't lose for the rest of the year?
I don’t see the logic in that. Sure, it’s possible, but exactly what makes it such a given?
The bottom line:
Is that the Twins can’t rely on themselves during the regular season if they want to make it to the “real” postseason.
If the Twins sweep this series it still isn’t a guarantee. The Sox can win their next five games (one against the Twins at Cellular)
The Twins need outside help, unless they want to postpone things until another game against the Sox…
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Random question:
Who wins the AL/NL Comeback Player of the Year award?
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Guzman
would certainly be a candidate in the NL. In the American League, I don’t know, maybe Percival.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank you
Ryan Garko.
I really don’t feel like a five run lead is safe at the Cell. But, on the other hand, the Tribe is into the Sox suspect bullpen, so there should be more runs scored.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
Can the Twins come back?
I still think they are in this game.
They just need to score runs.
Magic Number
Does Chicago’s loss increase the Twins magic number? That’s the good news that the Twins can get tonight. I still think the Twins needed a sweep.
I feel like we are all a bunch of monkeys trying to write Shakespeare
so he’s my attempt at banging the keys…
I thought any combination of Twins wins or Sux loses can get the Twins a division. So if the magic number was 4 going into today’s game, if the Sux lose it should go to 3 (even w/ a Twins loss)
of course if the Twins come back to win tonight and the Sux lose the magic number would be 2
Yes. A loss effects a magic number.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha, yeah. Scoring runs would help.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Only a few punches so far
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Harris
Was there a reason he pinch hit for Buscher? The RHP is still in, so did he get hurt or something?
Why do I find that funny...?
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll miss his face and his remarks.
And the way he is constantly looking into the sun.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
no one with a brain,
but please no politics on this website.
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess I agree. My blood pressure is already rising...
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Liriano
I can live with a loss.
I think the guys are playing hard.
I just think the starting pitcher failed tonight.
Twins can score runs, but your starting pitcher needs to pitch.
true
but AB’s have looked pretty weak…
I really want the Twins to win this series b/c I don’t want to count Chicago losing the make up game against Detroit or gawd forbid the one game playoff in Chicago
I am ticked off as it is
This loss is disgusting one way or another.
The Twins needed to go get a sweep this weekend as hard as it is. You can’t rely on the extra game and such.
is it my imagination,
or did Punto unecessarily take a risk by barehanding it when he clearly didn’t need to?
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 9:56 PM EDT reply actions
He's fighting for a Web Gem.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly,
I know I’m being paranoid and cynical, but that play looked like it.
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Attitude
Would you be real disappointed tonight after a loss?
I would be. I am very irrational after losses.
This loss hurts.
The Royals are playing well
Hopefully, the Twins will bounce back, if not tonight, then tomorrow.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 10:05 PM EDT reply actions
Well, no shutout
But it doesn’t look good for the hometown nine. Meanwhile Lewis got through the fifth in Chicago (9-6 Tribe). He is almost certainly done.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 10:08 PM EDT reply actions
Discussion Starter:
Who are the Twins’ Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, and Defensive MVP this year?
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Probably what I would say.
Not sure about Blackburn, though.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Who are the Twins’ Rookie of the Year, Comeback Player, and Defensive MVP this year?
Span, Span, and Casilla
Punto
does it again, this time he doesn’t do it and it cost us an out!
by montanatwinsfan on Sep 26, 2008 10:16 PM EDT reply actions
Chicago
Why do I get a feeling the Sux will tie it and win it in the end?
Alright, I still need help. I'm required to make my end of season awards picks.
What is the most Memorable Moment of 2008?
And what is the Web Gem of the year?
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What is the most Memorable Moment of 2008?
Last night.
And what is the Web Gem of the year?
I would say Span’s catch at Fenway Park in the first game of a three-game set. Span made some darn good catches this season.
Oh, sorry. I meant for the entire league.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
But that Gomez running catch was pretty sweet two nights ago.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
This loss hurts
Thank God Chicago has problems of their own.
Still, this loss by the Twins should be bothersome.
I don't like it
and it is disappointing but I won’t make it any bigger than it is.
seems like all teams have a let down after an emotional 3 games like the Twins had…
Tomorrow though, the Twins better win and if they don’t, that will be bothersome
This is a ridiculous inning
Cleveland Inning Summary
- B. Francisco walked
- S. Choo grounded into fielder’s choice, B. Francisco out at second
- S. Choo to second on balk
- J. Peralta popped out to shallow center
- R. Garko walked
- S. Choo to third, R. Garko to second on wild pitch
- K. Shoppach walked
- E. Wassermann relieved M. MacDougal
- F. Gutierrez walked, S. Choo scored, R. Garko to third, K. Shoppach to second
- J. Barfield struck out swinging
- End of Inning (1 Run, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
Gus
At least, Gus Frerrote will save the day on Sunday, right.
To quote Bill Simmons:
They (the Titans) have the league’s best defense, and if you don’t believe me, you will believe me this Sunday after they do everything short of actually having sex with Gus Frerotte.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
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by Andersklasen on Sep 26, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Tough night
So far. I’m glad that the Twins scored a run. I hope things continue to go well in Chicago.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 10:46 PM EDT reply actions
Hopefully
Clevelan can hold on. It’ll suck that we won’t take control, but it’s better than being back in second. I’m hoping for a big win tomorrow and another Sox loss. That would ensure of of nothing less than a playoff, and all we’d need to do it win Sunday to clinch.
by Twins Territory on Sep 26, 2008 10:47 PM EDT reply actions
I wish they would just call the game due Twins sucking
so they can go home get some rest and play like the real Twins tomorrow
I'm out, guys.
See you later!
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I just mean
win rhw final two because I’d rather take the division than settle for a playoff game with them in Chicago
by Twins Territory on Sep 26, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Two on, one out
For the White Sox. A big fly makes the game close again.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 11:03 PM EDT reply actions
Ramirez fans Thome
And is taken out of the game. Betancourt in.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
please hold on Cleveland
good thing I watched Major Leagues today to give them and us some Karma
didn’t work out for us though
Ive Never Liked Reitz
always thought he was Mediocre, he showed it in the playoffs when we needed him.
I like the Defense as it is now
Burns-Zidlicky
Schultz-Bergeron
Johnsson-Skoula
you could even Put Mojzis in Skoulas Place
But it would be nice to have that 7th Defenseman on the Roster untill Foster can come back
Dye flies out
11-8 going into the ninth.
BTW, nice to know that Hawk isn’t bitter. He is still whining about the umpiring, saying that blown calls cost the White Sox two games. He backed off a little, but that was his original statement.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions
Magic #3
With the teams only separated by half a game, the chances are much greater that the makeup game will happen, and also that the division championship game will occur.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Sep 26, 2008 11:51 PM EDT reply actions
Ouch, Ouch, Ouch......
I lnew there would be a let doen after a really tough sweep of the Sox but I was hoping in wouldn’t be quite as severe as tonight. The offense just wasn’t there and we looked terrible facing a #5 starter in Kyle Davies. I am hoping with all my bootstraps that we can pull it together tommorrow and win the next two. Retaining the lead (thank you Cleveland) is at least something. Tonight it just wasn’t there. I still love this team. GO TWINS!!!
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