Rays @ Twins

by Jesse on Mar 21, 2010 12:00 PM EDT in Game Threads

First Pitch: 12:05pm CST
TV: WFTC-29

As reported by Joe C, the Twins made more cuts this morning: Chris Parmelee, Jeff Manship, Toby Gardenhire and Brian Dinkelman. No surprises.

Lineups after the jump...

Rays (Split Squad)

Matt Joyce, DH
Carl Crawford, LF
Ben Zobrist, RF
B.J. Upton, CF
Hank Blalock, 1B
Dan Johnson, 3B
Reid Brignac, SS
Elliot Johnson, 2B
Alvin Colina, C

Pitching: Wade Davis, Heath Phillips, Dale Thayer

Twins

Denard Span, CF
Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Delmon Young, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Nick Punto, 3B

Pitching: Scott Baker, Jose Mijares, Glen Perkins, Clay Condrey

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Comments

Opening Day Lineup

Ready to roll

by AM. on Mar 21, 2010 12:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Wow

that lineup really is impressive.

by Stefa on Mar 21, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by John Veldhuis on Mar 21, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Whoa

Thumpin’ time.

by Luke in MN on Mar 21, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Any chance

Condrey doesn’t make the team? Is his contract guaranteed? I know we shouldn’t read too much into a few ST innings, but he hasn’t looked good at all.

by Stefa on Mar 21, 2010 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

He's only making $900K this year anyway.

If the Twins do cut bait, they can absorb that pretty easily. Not sure if it’s guaranteed or not though.

by Jesse on Mar 21, 2010 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Condrey

I thought he had a sinking fastball? He is getting lit up with several hard line drives deep in the outfield.

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Where's the Game?

Usually us out-staters get the Twins on an alternate channel when they’re on 29 in the Cities. Help?

by cass22 on Mar 21, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

can't find it

I thought I read somewhere that Condrey has options.

by Jon Kammerer on Mar 21, 2010 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Twins are knocking Wade Davis around...

They’re batting around in the 1st.

"I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?"

by maxisagod on Mar 21, 2010 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Lineup

This lineup looks so impressive! Fingers crossed that our boys can stay healthy. Let’s knock the crap out of the ball and go into the 9th inning with 3, 4 and 10 run leads!

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Olney piece speculating that a Mauer deal is near

No real information, just a Shapiro sighting and some speculation. Link

by Eric in Madison on Mar 21, 2010 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Denard Span is a bum.

The lineup is 9-15 through 2 innings so far and Baker has yet to give up a hit through 3 innings.

But Denard Span? He’s 0-2… I say we trade him. :)

All kidding aside, this team could challenge Boston and New York for run production.

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

Punto sucks but everyone else is way above average for their slotting in the lineup.

by ckb on Mar 21, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

And even Punto is ok for a #9 hitter.

by Jesse on Mar 21, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes if he the Pitcher in the N.L.

by b1 on Mar 21, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed,

how many #9s have an .322 OBP?

by montanatwinsfan on Mar 21, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

OBP

If Punto can keep his OBP around .333, he’ll be an asset in the 9-hole with his speed and glove.

I’ve never been a huge Punto fan, but I have no qualms with him anchoring the last spot in our potent offense.

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought Blalock was a walking corpse

what happened there?

by ckb on Mar 21, 2010 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think he still is undead.

But he’s still young enough to revive his career if he changes his approach.

by Jesse on Mar 21, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

and Cuddyer adds to the damage

by montanatwinsfan on Mar 21, 2010 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

Baker looking good

by montanatwinsfan on Mar 21, 2010 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

+1

A walk and a single in 5 innings. Is it opening day yet?

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Another thing I like about this lineup is that they have the ability to capitalize on mistakes. Because there aren’t any major, glaring holes in the starting nine, you’ll have game situations where the opposing pitcher might walk Justin Morneau with two outs and then you need to face a Michael Cuddyer who could (and did) deposit a fastball into the outfield bleachers. That ability to force pitchers to be perfect or else, is what makes the Yankees and Red Sox so dangerous. This is going to be one fun season!

by TheBlackFreighter on Mar 21, 2010 2:28 PM EDT reply actions