Don't Look Now But.........

[Gerk]

Team with the best record in MLB

Your Minnesota Twins

Would be great to have some late October snow baseball

[upinya83]

is this the year they can finally beat the yankees in the postseason?

as great as they've been, they're a poor man's atlanta braves of the 90's. get to the playoffs every year, lose in the first round every year.

just seems like its gonna be more of the same this year, hopefully im wrong

either way im sure they're pulling for the yankees to win the division so they get the rays in the first round

[Gerk]

I think this is their best chance

Mainly because their depth this year in the pitching and bench is much better than it's ever been and I think the Yankees beyond Sabbathia and he stunk it up last night, is very vulnerable.

Yankees still have our number, so have to overcome that.

First year payrolls are even in the same zip code, so hard to judge past perfromances over the past disparities

[upinya83]

Originally Posted by Gerk

I think this is their best chance

I hope you're right here, but its hard for me to see it. Years past they've had Johan and not gotten it done. Top of the rotation pitching and closers are what win in playoffs, and the Twins are weaker this year than in years past in both categories

Morneau & Nathan are arguably their best hitter and pitcher (at worst 2nd best hitter and pitcher) and most likely neither will play. And if Morneau does play, is he anywhere close to 100%?

They could have homefield, which they've never had, and in a new ballpark as well. That's one thing they have that they haven't before. Otherwise I dont think this team is better than teams they've had in the past, and I dont think the other AL playoff teams are worse than other teams in the past

[Gerk]

Not thinking or saying they will win. I am realistic, just think I'm more optimistc than I've been in the past.

Do think Yankees are more vulnerable, their starting pitching doesn't scare me at all, but we will see

[Seanie Mac]

that sucks that you finish with the best record, and are rewarded with the Yankees or Rays

[Yankee23]

Gerk who pitches games 3-4 or is it dependant on the team they are playing?

[Gerk]

Originally Posted by Yankee23

Gerk who pitches games 3-4 or is it dependant on the team they are playing?

It sounds like Blackburn would be Game 3 and Duensing Game 4, it could be changed depending on the opponent or how the first two games go

[MCP313]

Liriano finally back to form again and Mauer playing like an MVP again. Everything else on the team is gravy if they get contributions.

If I ran the Twins personally I would use Baker in a game 2 because I just dont see how a team can compete in the playoffs throwing contact pitchers every game out besides Liriano but we shall see.

[LordCC]

I would love to see them play some October baseball in the snow, that would be quite the sight. I really hope they can make some hay this year, as besides the Jays, they are my favourite team.

[JAM]

remember growing up when i was a boy minnesota was my favorite team Harmon killebrew my favorite homerun hitter of all time and watching rod carew ...tony oliva man Rod carew could hit.he could handle a bat for sure.

[TheLink]

Originally Posted by upinya83

I hope you're right here, but its hard for me to see it. Years past they've had Johan and not gotten it done. Top of the rotation pitching and closers are what win in playoffs, and the Twins are weaker this year than in years past in both categories

Morneau & Nathan are arguably their best hitter and pitcher (at worst 2nd best hitter and pitcher) and most likely neither will play. And if Morneau does play, is he anywhere close to 100%?

Nathan has been as big a problem as anyone for the Twins in previous playoffs. Jesse Crain is dominating right now and I like what Fuentes adds to the pen.

Originally Posted by Gerk

It sounds like Blackburn would be Game 3 and Duensing Game 4, it could be changed depending on the opponent or how the first two games go

I thought it was Duensing going in 3 and Blackburn in 4. They didn't want to go lefty-lefty back to back.

[bigsportsguy2006]

and now that title belongs to the philadelphia phillies