Minnesota Timberwolves (17-27, .386, 6th NL West) @ Los Angeles Lakers (28-17, .622, 1st NL West)
Shawna Betts and her T’Wolves… At the beginning of the season, Shawna told everyone within earshot that her goals for this year’s model would reach the playoffs – at 17-27 so far, I think it’s safe to say that they’re going to fall well short of that mark. Injuries to key players and poor play by the healthy among them is the culprit here – in fact, if you add it up, the math says that they just aren’t capable of being much more than they’ve shown. Here we have another team that can hit a little bit, but who can’t back up that batting prowess with good – or just above average – pitching. They are ranked last in the NL as a staff – averaging 6 runs against – and come into this series with a combined 5.40 earned run average. Emphasis on average, or below average as it were. And with the second-lowest payroll in the MLB, whatever magic Shawna is attempting to conjure has undoubtedly been a knock-off – a cheap imitation of a ballclub. But, they have a charter – they even have uniforms – so, here we are, looking down the snub-nosed barrel of a 3-game set against the worst club in the National League. Don’t worry though – if any club has been consistently guilty of playing down to the level of their competition, it’s the La La’s. This town has a knack for making even the non-talented shine bright on the big stage – as long as you look good and act confident, we can sell it. And, hey, their road kit is pretty swanky.
46 of 162: Pedro Aceves (0-5, 10.37) @ Nat Millard (2-1, 3.15)
Win, 10-2. Otto Isaac leads the way, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI’s. Millard picked up the win, improving his season record to 3-1. He struck out 6 in 6 innings. Bernard Desjardins picked up the save, his 1st (the stud went 3 innings for us today). Pepper Grant, who is tied for 8th in the NL in home runs with 7, aided the Los Angeles cause with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third – 3 RBI’s for the hometown favorite. We hit 2 doubles, Otto hit his 8th HR of the year, and turned two double plays. Stan Wilkins, getting his first spot start since our trade with Houston, tied the LAL record for most walks in a game at 4 – not the most exciting splash in the pool (I’m more of a cannonball man myself), but we’ll take it.
Also, UAA lost their Final Four game - more on that later...