Game 83: Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins
by Jesse on Jul 5, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in Game Threads
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins, Jul 5, 2009 2:10 PM EDT
First Pitch: 1:10pm CDT
TV: WFTC29
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
Starting Pitchers
Nick continues to work his magic, and the fact that he's able to do it so consistently might be what's most surprising. Eight quality starts and counting, if he can do it again today. As usual, it'll be all about being able to hit his spots and get some sink on his fastball. Detroit will have their opportunities to get on base, there's no doubt about that, but if Blackburn can continue to come up big in tight spots it'll be another long afternoon for the Tiger offense.
Porcello is a 20-year old right-hander in his first season in the bigs, and he's done well. The 27th overall pick in 2007, he profiles as an efficient control pitcher. He doesn't record a lot of strikeouts, but in those ways he's a lot like Blackburn. He offers a good fastball in the low-90's, an off-speed pitch in the low-80's and a breaking ball. So far this year he's been a big ground-ball guy, accounting for 57% of his balls-in-play. But he's still been susceptible to the long ball at times, which means the big inning is a definite possibility. His FIP is 4.94, a full run worse than his standard ERA.
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Porcello - 27th overall pick
is misleading. If I remember correctly, he would have gone top 10 (perhaps even top 5), but signability concerns pushed him down on draft day.
are we sure he was 27 overall Even with the agent piling up the $ on draft day and signability concerns I don’t think the Tigers picked 27th overall that year……hmm ?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 5, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a big one for the Twins
3 games behind the Tigers, with the White Sox in between. It would really be big if we could take 2 of 3 against Detroit, going into the Yankees and White Sox series.
The really big one was yesterday...
These series are usually only earth-shaking if there is a sweep one direction or the other. Sweep is a three-game swing. 2 out of 3 is just a one game swing.
Still important to win in your division of course…
You're right
today’s game would have been huge if Detroit had won yesterday, or if the Twins won on Friday. It’s the two game swing in the standings, will we be 2 or 4 games back at day’s end?
by Adam Peterson on Jul 5, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
All - STAR Snubs
N.L.
Kung-Foo Panda (has chance to get voted in as 31st man)
Johnny Cueto
A.L.
Ian Kinsler
Brandon Inge
Cliff Lee
Nick Blackburn ?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 5, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions
Some pretty good players
Not on the All-Star team
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 5, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions
I see Morneau
Morneau is the player’s choice at first. That makes sense. He’s not in big-media country like Tex and Youk (both fine players).
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 5, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions
ESPN
ESPN has a 30 second promo for the HR derby where they show a few players like Pujols and Hamilton. If I saw it correctly, no mention or picture of Justin. :(
2006 MVP
and won it for all the reasons we usually complain about when they give it to the big-market guys.
"Mr. Clutch" who "came through when it counted"
If it was Morneau with 20 more HR, 7 more RBI, 42 points higher OBP, 77 points higher SLG and Ortiz who won the award what would Twins fans have been saying?
I’m thrilled the odd writer biases fell in our favor for once, but all the crying about how the national media doesn’t pay attention to Minnesota and favors the Red Sox & Yankees rings hollow after that… even if ESPN’s blonde in the tight pants gets his name wrong. :-)
2006 MVP should have
belonged to Mauer, i mean come on, a catcher winning the Batting title? would have been unthinkable 4 years ago.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Jul 5, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Span would have had an IF single and an RBI
but Everett throws the ball into the DET bullpen, 3 runs score and it’s 6-0
And Harris makes the first and last out of the inning.
Nice to have a game like this….no more nailbiters
Are you sure?
It seemed everything was comfortable last night and boom!
It may well be comfortable win, but I’m not ready to guarantee that.
by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Jul 5, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Delmon up to .270
with his second base hit of the game.
I find myself rooting for him more and more.
he has claimed in the past to be a 2nd half player
and of course Gardy gave him a bit of crap for that (rightfully so), but if he gets it together in the 2nd half, we have a very solid lineup 1-8.
by guinness junky on Jul 5, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He was last year
Remember how awful he was in April and May then went on to post over an .800 OPS starting like May 30th when he hit his first home run as a Twin.
This year has been the same. He was even worse this past April-May but on June 3rd he began a 7 game hitting streak and has just over and .800 OPS since the 3rd. He also has hit 5 doubles and 2 homers in the month after managing just 1 of each in the first two months of the season.
It’s only a month but given that he turned it around at roughly the same time last year there is at least hope. If he could put together a decent second half similar to his June even he would at least be a somewhat tradable commodity in the off season.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Yes
either he develops into a decent hitting outfielder, or he increases his value to the point that it becomes palatable to trade him. either way, the twins win.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
we'll see
if he ever gets to the point where he has value, I am betting the Twins will think again about selling.
by guinness junky on Jul 5, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Mauer just two PA short of the leaderboards...
Outside chance he gets there today, otherwise it’ll come with the 4th PA on Tuesday.
I hope Harris does well of course
But this has been a bad series for him. Which, hopefully, will force Gardy’s hand and move him down in the order, moving Mauer back up to #2 and everyone up a spot. This would be a good thing imo.
84 pitches
thru 7 shutout innings for Blackburn.
With an easy 8th and he could get a shot at the 9th
hmm,
I’d call taht an easy 8th. He’s under 100 pitches and has a shutout with a huge lead you know Gardy’s gonna let him finish this.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
and an 8 pitch 8th
should allow Nick to go for the shutout…and, surprisingly, get only his 2nd win since May.
ugh
Span and Gomez trainwreck a routine popfly. Runner on 2nd one out.
Potentially the 3rd CG in last 4 starts for Blackburn
Unfortunate...
… because he pitches well and we win… but there’s got to be an odd aftertaste when that happens.
that Error
Screws his stuff up as well. The situation is different and the pitches are different compared to having no one on (or even on 1st) and having someone in scoring position. Such hard luck for Nick :(
Favorite Comedians: Mike Birbiglia, Doug Benson, Daniel Tosh, Delmon Young in Left Field.
OK
clear the mechanism
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Hmmm, flashback
Anyone remember the game where Baker went from a no hitter to almost a loss in one inning. I’m having flashbacks.
Phew one more out to go only.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
Really?
Tying run not even in play, why WOULDN’T you keep Blackburn in?
Favorite Comedians: Mike Birbiglia, Doug Benson, Daniel Tosh, Delmon Young in Left Field.
you do realize our manager is Ron Gardenhire?
:)
I’m sure it was a dilemna. Which stat to chase? The save or the CG?
agreed
He’s not a head case like Liriano or even Baker. Blackburn doesn’t seem to give up a big inning like those guys. However one more hit and they’ve gotta get Nathan out there to shut it down.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
just to be clear
I was thinking like Gardy there. I, personally, would have let him pitch to one more.
stat padding...
I was just making a half-joke about padding Nathan’s stats. Didn’t mean anything against Blackburn.
Stars of the game brought to you by SuperAmerica!
1. Nick Blackburn
2. Justin Morneau
3. Delmon Young son
Just what the Dr. ordered
The bullpen is going to appreciate the 2 days off in a row. Much needed after the ridiculous game on Friday night. Everyone will now have 3 off in a row except for Guerrier and Nathan. The Twins should be able to keep it to an 11 man staff until at least after the break, hopefully longer.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
The shutout continues to allude him, but....
Congrats to Nick Blackburn!
All – Star snub Anyone ? Kubel maybe ?
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 5, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions
Kubes could have made it...
Not sure if it was a full-on snub, but he had a reasonable case.
Better than Crawford, but he’s got all those SB’s. Better than Adam Jones, but he’s the only Oriole. Better than Hamilton, but he got voted in by the fans. Better than Granderson, but… actually not sure why Granderson made it this year… I agree with including 2008 as part of the consideration, but Granderson had an off year last year as well.
Looks like Kubel lost the roster spot to Zobrist.
Does the roster account for injuries? Will Hamilton be able to play?
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