The Angels Will Win the World Series
by Jesse on Aug 2, 2009 5:53 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
30 comments
Sometimes you're the Louisville Slugger
Sometimes you're the ball
Sometimes it all comes together
Sometimes you're gonna lose it all
Mary Chapin Carpenter, "The Bug"
I'm just glad it's over. It's like Mike Tyson (the 1990 version, not the The Hangover version) beating the absolute snot out of a six-year old. That's what this weekend has felt like. The Angels absolutely destroyed the Twins, demolished their pitching with what appeared to be little to no effort, and walk away from the series having out-scored Minnesota 35 - 15. Under normal circumstances, scoring 15 runs in three games means you don't get swept.
You never want to hand down an ultimate judgment based on one game or one series, because baseball is full of such ups and downs that making that kind of judgment is always inaccurate. But you can still say this, because the proof has been there all season: the Twins lack pitching. Starters and relievers alike have struggled to find any sort of consistency on the mound, and even with the offensive surge we're seeing from many players this summer it doesn't matter. Fantastic performances from Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel, and even supporting characters like Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede, are all being wasted.
These last three games were nothing short of an embarassment. The sweep kicks the Twins back under .500, just after a sweep of the White Sox (and a four-game winning streak) had put a positve spin on the future. It's a hard season to be a Twins fan.
As for the Angels, it's hard to say enough good things about them. They're not missing their two biggest hitters, Vladimir Guerrero or Torii Hunter, thanks to performances from guys up and down the lineup and off the bench. Kendry Morales has turned into an absolute stud, which is what the Angels had been waiting for after watching him hit .337/.393/.546 line in the minor leagues. Chone Figgins continues to be a dramatic and effective top of the order hitter. Erick Aybar is having a career year, making good on some decent minor league numbers. Juan Rivera is finally having another great season, his first since '06. And of course there's Bobby Abreu, who's simply a great hitter.
With an offense like that it's easy to overcome any deficiencies with the pitching staff, but in spite of down seasons by some of their hurlers there's still a lot of talent there. Jered Weaver can clearly be one of their better starters, and Ervin Santana can be effective when he's healthy. Joe Saunders is more than capable of pitching better than he has, and no matter how much of an idiot John Lackey looks like, he's actually a pretty good pitcher, too.
Right now, if I had to pick a team that would be going to the World Series from the American League, it'd have to be the Angels. Sure, the Red Sox and Yankees could pull it off, but I still find it hard to cheer for teams like that. And after the absolute shelacking we were on the end of at the hands of the Angels, I think it's a fair assessment.
Stars of the Game
#3: Joe Mauer (2-for-4, 2B, RBI, .028 WPA, nearly hit a home run)
#2: Orlando Cabrera (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R, BB, .053 WPA)
#1: Denard Span (0-for-3, BB, SB, .046 WPA, superb home run robbing catch)
I'm Glad This Series Is Over Because of...
#1: Glen Perkins (4+ IP, 12 H, 2 HR, 8 R, 2 K, BB, -.433 WPA)
#2: Jose Mijares (1 IP, 2 H, HR, 2 R, K, BB, -.011 WPA, allowed three runs off that homer)
#3: Carlos Gomez (0-for-3, 3 K, -.043 WPA)
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The offense shouldn’t be blamed for any of this
They could put 10 runs up and the staff right now would probably give it back
the Pitching Staff
did give up more then ten runs, so … yea … definetly not on our offense today.
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Aug 2, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You should've added an all of the above
to the poll
Son, when you participate in sporting events, it's not whether you win or lose: it's how drunk you get. ~Homer Simpson
by thewild_viking_twins on Aug 2, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions
Thank you!
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 2, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Span make two awesome catches?
Or was it just the foul ball grab he made? That wasn’t going to be a home run.
"You should enter a ballpark like you enter a church." - Bill "Spaceman" Lee
I don't think they'll win the WS
Just because they stomped the Twinks, that’s easy. Ask Oakland, but I’ll be rooting for the Angels in the playoffs just as soon as the Twins are eliminated. Should be any day now.
Angels play baseball the way the Twins used to, get a guy on 1B, then 2B or 3B, then home. Before you know it, you’ve won.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
by less cowbell, more 'neau on Aug 2, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions
When's the Big Ten season start again?
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
Your accolades are very kind...
Our team is invariably championship caliber thanks to great managment, ownership, scouting and player development. I would like to see the Twins meet the Angels in Baseball’s Oktoberfest; Torii against his old team would be classic.
Peace my fellow Twinkies from So Cal.
Let the Halo power flow...
by HALO N BRIMSTONE on Aug 2, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions
Very classy response...
I honestly felt bad for Gardenhire watching him this last game. I’ve always liked the kind of game the Twins play, so still hope you guys can pull out the Central. Maybe the Halos can put up the same kind of effort in this series against the White Sox to help you out!
Napoli IS the power bat in 2009. Watch.
You have our
blessing to bet the snot out of the White sox, just as you have done to us. this series exemplified why you are 64-40 and we are 52-53
Will the Real Thor Please Stand Up ... ?
by the Real Thor on Aug 2, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Please do what you can against the Sox
we clearly need all the help we can get!
Strikeouts are boring - besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls. More democratic. -Bull Durham
I agree and I agree
The Twins have always been my second favorite, mostly because they play a lot like the Halos. Also, I did notice Gardenhire and felt really bad for him as well.
Oh and yes, for you guys, we’re going to kick the living crap out of the Sox.
Now obviously this series, we kind of bullied you guys around. But with the Sox, we’re going to make them look like a spider on the bottom of the shoe of a 350lb construction worker!
For you guys!
LAA vs. CHW
The Twins just swept the White Sox before being demolished by the Angels, so by the transitive property, the Angels should win every game by mercy rule in the third inning.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Or conversely,
in the great irony that is the universe, the White Sox will sweep the Angels with a combined run margin of 11.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 3, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I miss
Matt Garza. :(
Favorite Comedians: Mike Birbiglia, Doug Benson, Daniel Tosh, Delmon Young in Left Field.
I think it's time to realize
The Twins are probably never going to be much better than a couple games above .500 or worse than a couple below. It’s where they have been all season. The Twins are a team that can get your hopes up, but be careful they are just going to let you down.
Embarassing is the only word
Not to take anything away from the Angels, they are clearly a top tier team. But how can this be anything but one of the most embarrassing series in recent history? Coming off a sweep of a division rival that put us right back into division contention, and the acquisition of a SS who can actually hit (and has quite well these two games), we go out and get outscored 35-15 at HOME where we are supposed to be a pretty good team. Getting swept at home always sucks but under the circumstances it was truly pathetic. We couldn’t have looked more futile if we tried.
Anyone else think Gardenhire is off his game a little this year? We’re not bunting or stealing as much, and we can’t seem to pull a pitcher until it’s too late.
I would have to agree that Gardenhire is off his game this year
Of course it is not solely his fault. But I’ve never been really happy about the way he manages pitchers. He seems to baby Joe Nathan too much by not allowing him to pitch more than one inning. I mean, Nathan is our highest paid pitcher and our best one and he is pitched the least (or so it seems to me).
I would also have to say that I am sick of Gardenhire’s attitude that winning two out of three a series is enough. I don’t know the exact statistics, but I bet that when we have had opportunities to sweep a series this year, we have lost that final game of a series more than we have won. Then inevitably, Gardenhire will say “Well, at least we one two out of three.” I think this attitude has carried over to the players, too, because they say the same thing (especially Cuddyer, who has been a Twin the longest).
This team has many other problems too, which can be laid at the feet of Bill Smith and the players, but Gardenhire has always been a little overrated in my opinion and that is showing through this year. Look at the Angels’ manager and how he is always putting pressure on the other team by bunting, stealing, and especially doing a lot of hitting-and-running. What a fun team to watch! The Twins? Not as much as in the past. I honestly think we need to go in a new direction at manager.
Hit and Runs
with batters who have a BA of around 200-220, and OBPs of around 270- 300 (or even less) is a fool’s gamble.
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 3, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Painful series
but IMO the Yankees series in NY was more painful. In that one, they had the three walkoffs in a row, we were right in it until we blew it at the end. Last weekend, the Angels simply pounded us senseless. Then they pounded us some more. Then for good measure, they took our lunch money.
by Adam Peterson on Aug 3, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Twins Philosophy
We just have to be good enough to win the division. They, they might be able to do. But beyond that…no!
Veteran starter presence. I guess that’s why you even have an ortiz or Hernandez around for aprt of the year.
Why didn’t they grab one or two bullpen arms. Someone better than the backend of the current bullpen. Oh, wait, all those “prospects” who will save the franchise in the eyars ahead.
Quick, tell me what prospects will make the team in the next three seasons and then start dealing from there.
Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!
This team just doesn't cut it
Every time this year I get excited and the Twins win a few in a row they blow it up. The inconsistency on the mound is infuriating. There isn’t a single pitcher I count on from week to week to put up solid starts and I’ve lost faith in the bullpen that I’ve been defending until late.
I’m honestly glad they made only one move because to make the moves necessary would have cost too much prospect wise and this obviously isn’t the year. If the Twins can pick up a starter on waivers, then great, it might be just enough for them to win this weak division, however it’s good they didn’t give up a guy like Valencia for Sanchez, Scutaro, etc. because it still wouldn’t be enough. I voted a week ago that our biggest weakness was the MI and now I’m seeing it’s really the starting pitching. Our offense was still good with horrible middle infield and had our starters performed like last year we would be a great team. ugh, I just have to stop this now.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
I voted for 'Disgusted.'
I was at the game and that is the feeling I had from the 2nd inning on.
It was just depressing. To watch our M&M guys play really well, while the rest of the crew just stunk. It was kind of a small example of the bigger problem.
The Delmon young/Garza trade was really on my mind today watching this team. I know we all tell ourselves a lot of ‘wait to see’ kind of messages to dull the pain, but that was a REALLY bad trade. It has had a bad impact on this organization. Delmon did not do anything specifically bad today. Well, he struck out a few times, but that has become very normal for him. He just really seems to symbolize where we are at as a team. Yes, I know he is hitting better in July, whatever.. Watching him play baseball is not something I get excited about. Someone up top said it well, the Angels play the way we used to, and I miss that. I almost spilled my soda in the first when Span stole second. It should not be that surprising.
I am looking forward to next year. Not giving up on ’09, but certainly not placing high hopes on anything that has Young, Punto or Perkins on the roster.
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
I also voted disgusted
The Angels of new are the Yankees of old for the Twins. Oh that’s right; the Yankees also kicked our butts.
HMMMM. Ahhh; this was much more embarassing. I watched some of Sports Center here in Japan (I can watch it once a day), and they showed lowlights of yesterday’s fiasco. Quite frankly, it doesn’t take a genius to understand what happened. I thought it looked like the Angels were hitting golf balls at the driving range—except they were hitting those balls from thigh level. Thie pitches were right in the wheelhouse. You can say all you want about the Angels hitting but these three games were an abyssmal display of baseball and in particular pitching.
"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 Aug 3, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions
Don’t give up hope yet:
Games left against NYY/BOS/TAM/LAA/TEX (Tigers: 14, White Sox: 17, Twins: 7)
Games left against TOR/SEA/MIN/DET/CHW (Tigers: 23, White Sox: 18, Twins: 20)
Games left against OAK/BAL/CLE/KC (Tigers: 22, White Sox: 20, Twins: 30)
- The White Sox still have one game left vs. the Cubs, also.
Granted they still have to win the games (and maybe injuries + pitching + bad play will prevent them from doing so) but the schedule significantly favors the Twins from here on out.
The Angels are a good team which is also hot right now. And I don’t think anyone would have been that disappointed with a 4-6 record against them this year.
phew,
more opp for our pitching staff to help lift the offesive stats of the CLE & KC batters!
by montanatwinsfan on Aug 3, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
the small light
The Twins will probably go out and win 4 or 5 of the then 6 games and I’ll buy into them thinking they’ve turned a corner however they’ll then go and get swept and lose at least one or two games that they damn near had. The games following the all star break have just been a continuing cycle of that. They damn near swept Texas in Texas. Then they looked like they were just going to destroy Oakland until the biggest choke ever. Then they went on to lose 2 of 3 to oakland and 3 of 4 to Anaheim, only to sweep Chicago and make us all feel good again. Then the awful sweep which at the least they should’ve taken game 1.
I’ll be honest this team does have to play for next year however if they can pick up 1 starting pitcher like a Davis or Garland it just might be enough to win this division. They should under no circumstances give up anything significant to win this year for that chance. The playoffs are a crap shoot and they could get hot somehow but I think their best chances lie in using that extra revenue to make a real venture into the free agent market by signing at least 1 top flight starter and 1 solid to excellent MI. By doing this they can put one of their current arms in the bullpen to hopefully help that along with the return of Neshek and the hopeful promotions of Delaney and/or Slama.
Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?
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