American League Championship
Today the American League Championship series begins.
The three divisions leaders are Rob’s New York Yankee’s, Brenarlo’s Oakland A’s and my Minnesota Twins. The wild card is the Detroit Tiggers. I don’t know if there’s a Detroit fan, but I’m going to assign them to Likwid Shoe by default.
During the regular season Brenarlo had a small amount of trash talking over the race. He sorta bet me that the Oakland A’s would win 93-95 games.
Well they just about choked but they won the last game of the year, so he won his bet. I’d feel pretty bad about losing that bet except for the fact that my Twins finished with a better record. In fact today’s game between the Twins and A’s (surprisenly enough I’ll be home)is in Minneapolis for that very reason.
Since the Twins shook up the roster in Early June they’ve been the best team in baseball. During that time they lost two of their top pitchers. They managed to keep winning with substitute pitching. That is an impressive record.
What’s been fun this year is that so many Twins are having breakout years. Joe Mauer had a breakout year winning the batting title; as a catcher no less. Justin Morneau was number two in the AL RBI race. Shortstop Jason Bartlett had a great year after being called up in June. Michael Cuddyer had his breakout season hitting cleanup with 109 RBI’s. Nick Punto had a great defensive year and a very good hitting average year at 3rd.
Most of the Twins came up through their minor league system. Their second baseman, Castillo, was the only key player that they picked up.
The Twins one weak spot is the DH position. They haven’t gotten much productivity there.
None of the four AL playoff teams finished the last week strongly. The team that suffered the worst was the Detroit Tiggers. I predict that they’ll fall quickly to the Yankee’s.
I think the Twins will dispatch the A’s in short order. In fact after this week Brenarlo’s going to Blog in shame.
I’m concerned about my Twins facing the Yankee’s. However since they’re Rob’s team I think they’re setting him up to make up the “too many injuries” excuse meme. In sports that’s what Rob does best.
The biggest question mark is whether or not the Brad Radke will be able to pitch effectively. He’s had one short (but effective) start since he’s come off of a stress fractured shoulder socket. He’s a gamer and if he can pitch he will do it through the pain.
I won’t go into the National league. Mostly because I know NOTHING about the teams there. The Twins only lost one game in interleague play but that doesn’t mean that the team that shows up in the World Series won’t be first rate.
It should be a fun October for this Twins fan.
***Update*** I'm sure that losing 3-2 was part of Gardenhire's strategy to ultimately win the series against Oakland and the inevitable World Series.
The three divisions leaders are Rob’s New York Yankee’s, Brenarlo’s Oakland A’s and my Minnesota Twins. The wild card is the Detroit Tiggers. I don’t know if there’s a Detroit fan, but I’m going to assign them to Likwid Shoe by default.
During the regular season Brenarlo had a small amount of trash talking over the race. He sorta bet me that the Oakland A’s would win 93-95 games.
Well they just about choked but they won the last game of the year, so he won his bet. I’d feel pretty bad about losing that bet except for the fact that my Twins finished with a better record. In fact today’s game between the Twins and A’s (surprisenly enough I’ll be home)is in Minneapolis for that very reason.
Since the Twins shook up the roster in Early June they’ve been the best team in baseball. During that time they lost two of their top pitchers. They managed to keep winning with substitute pitching. That is an impressive record.
What’s been fun this year is that so many Twins are having breakout years. Joe Mauer had a breakout year winning the batting title; as a catcher no less. Justin Morneau was number two in the AL RBI race. Shortstop Jason Bartlett had a great year after being called up in June. Michael Cuddyer had his breakout season hitting cleanup with 109 RBI’s. Nick Punto had a great defensive year and a very good hitting average year at 3rd.
Most of the Twins came up through their minor league system. Their second baseman, Castillo, was the only key player that they picked up.
The Twins one weak spot is the DH position. They haven’t gotten much productivity there.
None of the four AL playoff teams finished the last week strongly. The team that suffered the worst was the Detroit Tiggers. I predict that they’ll fall quickly to the Yankee’s.
I think the Twins will dispatch the A’s in short order. In fact after this week Brenarlo’s going to Blog in shame.
I’m concerned about my Twins facing the Yankee’s. However since they’re Rob’s team I think they’re setting him up to make up the “too many injuries” excuse meme. In sports that’s what Rob does best.
The biggest question mark is whether or not the Brad Radke will be able to pitch effectively. He’s had one short (but effective) start since he’s come off of a stress fractured shoulder socket. He’s a gamer and if he can pitch he will do it through the pain.
I won’t go into the National league. Mostly because I know NOTHING about the teams there. The Twins only lost one game in interleague play but that doesn’t mean that the team that shows up in the World Series won’t be first rate.
It should be a fun October for this Twins fan.
***Update*** I'm sure that losing 3-2 was part of Gardenhire's strategy to ultimately win the series against Oakland and the inevitable World Series.
likwidshoe
C. Y.
laydownSally
Lestat
goon
pparets
Puzzlefeet
The Whistler