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Game 97: Minnesota Twins @ Los Angeles Angels

It's a metaphor.
It's a metaphor.
First Pitch: 9:05 CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: AM 1500 & TRN
Know Thine Enemy: Halos Heaven
Patron Saint: Lyman Bostock

Drink of Choice for All Alexi Casilla At-Bats: Bombay Sapphire Gin & Tonic

Your Starting Pitchers:


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Francisco Liriano 4-9 19 19 0 0 0 0 108.0 111 69 64 15 49 99 5.33 1.48


If it's possible for the Twins to have a "must-win" game before August, tonight's the night. Three gut-punch losses in four days, each one providing a unique brand of torture for the Twins faithful. Record-tying lost lead? Check. Embarrassing blowout to a punchless team? Check. Blown save by the most reliable closer in the game? Check.

Tasked with stopping the madness: the Francisco Liriano Roller Coaster. Oh, goody. Now, if the Twins can get the exact same start from Liriano that they got last time (6+ IP, 6 K , 2 ER), I have to imagine they would be thrilled. However, banking on consistency from Liriano this year is a sucker's bet. I have no idea what to expect tonight. I suspect no one in the Twins' clubhouse does, either.

Oh, and the Tigers and White Sox are playing each other. No time like the present, boys.


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - John Lackey 5-4 13 13 0 0 0 0 82.0 88 43 40 8 22 67 4.39 1.34

Lackey started the year on the DL with a forearm strain, but looks to be returning to form. He threw nine scoreless innings and allowed just three hits in his last start, a 1-0 extra-inning victory over Oakland.

Let us not forget that Lackey was also ejected from a game earlier this year after throwing just two pitches. Earl Weaver would be proud.

You'll get your lineups when they're good and ready. Enjoy the game, everyone.

UPDATE: Not good, courtesy LaVelle's Twitter Machine: Kevin Slowey has been shut down and will return to Twin Cities. Full story here.

LINEUPS:


Lineup

Minnesota Twins @ Los Angeles Angels

07/24/09 10:05 PM EDT

Minnesota Twins Los Angeles Angels
Denard Span - CF Chone Figgins - 3B
Joe Mauer - C Erick Aybar - SS
Justin Morneau - 1B Bobby Abreu - RF
Jason Kubel - DH Mike Napoli - DH
Michael Cuddyer - RF Howie Kendrick - 2B
Brian Buscher - 3B Gary Matthews - CF
Delmon Young - LF Robb Quinlan - LF
Nick Punto - SS Brandon Wood - 1B
Alexi Casilla - 2B Jeff Mathis - C