Official 2005 OOTP Talk Sports Minnesota Twins Thread

[tim_uwrf]

.........................................:::Game One:::.........................................

Yesterday's game doesn't look all that great on paper, but several question marks where answered yesterday. The question marks pre-season where Joe Mauer & his knee and Jason Bartlett & his first year. Others included the Twins starting rotation and whether or not that they could pitch up to the standard that they did last year.

Mauer's knee can't be too bad if he is stealing second base and throwing out Ichiro Suzuki. Mauer, who may not make as many appearances behind the plate as some fans want (especially with 4 catchers on the roster), had one stolen base all year last year. His gun is one of his biggest assets and he proved this throwing out one of the fastest guys in the league in Suzuki.

While Bartlett didn't have a great game yesterday, he had a 2-out RBI (and the only one at that). Bartlett shouldn't have to much to worry about as the Twins have Nick Punto and Juan Castro who both struggled or where injured throughout spring training. Bartlett is a darkhorse canidate for rookie of the year.

The starting rotation last night (note: last night) didn't look to horrible. Radke, while he made two mistake pitches, looked really good. He didn't walk anyone which has been his specialty. Radke started opening day to relieve stress on Santana (imo) and to show to Radke the Twins appreciation of him.

All in all, even though the Twins lost by four runs - the game wasn't horrible and I'm looking forward to watching several games this year. This is the first time that Gardenhire has started 0-1 and hopefully he won't go 1-1.

Boxscore

Players I was impressed with:
Joe Mauer, 1-4 SB, RTO
Jason Bartlett, 1-4, 2out RBI
Jacque Jones, 1-3, Nice defensive play

Players that will improve:
Brad Radke, 7ip, 4ER, 5 Ks. Radke always starts slow but usually settles down. 2 HRs is a lot for one game, but his 5 Ks is a decent amount although the Mariners struck out a lot last year (averaged about 4/game last year).

Players that I wasn't impressed with:
Lew Ford, 0-4, 2Ks, 2 LOB

.........................................:::Oppone nt:::.........................................

The Mariners looked really good today. Sexson, while he got two really nice pitches to hit, looked really comfortable at the plate and wouldn't be surprised if he has a decent year at the plate. Moyer looked pretty good also pitching. Ichiro, while he went 2-4 didn't look comfortable - but does he ever? Mariners, I will bet quite a lot will win more games than last year.

.........................................:::Highli ght of the Game:::.........................................

[Kezzek]

Thanks for the write-up, Tim!

[Daddy Warbuk$]

LOL at Santana last night,

Isn't winning 20 games pitching like that!


Go Tribe!

-Runs-

PS: nice write up!

[Kezzek]

Originally Posted by Daddy Warbuk$

LOL at Santana last night,

Isn't winning 20 games pitching like that!


Go Tribe!

-Runs-

PS: nice write up!

Except, he did get the win. He had a rough 1st inning but settled down after that.

But Santana made his own adjustments and settled down. After Ibanez's single, he retired 14 of 15, including the final nine in a row before exiting after five innings. He allowed five hits and one walk while striking out six. "From the second inning on, we started throwing everything -- my offspeed pitches, my breaking balls," Santana said. "Everything started to come back."

[Daddy Warbuk$]

Damnit, allow me just that one moment to gloat, would ya?
Damn twins fans!!

best of luck this year

Go Tribe!

[Bobbuttons]

twins15 hasn't posted in here yet?

[Jonzard]

Great comeback in a 7-run inning last night in game 2. Johan surprised everyone with a poor first inning, but was steamrolling the Mariners after that. The bullpen held up well and Joe Nathan finished the game. I think everyone in the lineup even got a hit.

The strangest moment of the night was the pop up outfield hit by Justin Morneau on a CHECK SWING! That guy is going to hit a homer into the upper deck of the Metrodome with a broken bat sometime this year.

[tim_uwrf]

.........................................:::Game Two:::.........................................

Once again, the first inning gives the Twins a tough blow. But after that, Mr. Young, I mean Santana, shut the Mariners down. As was said earlier, every Twin got a hit last night. The seven run fifth inning in which every Twin hit, Jacque Jones hit the first of his homeruns of the year.

The Minnesota Twins bullpen has continued to shut down the Mariners and sealed the game last night after Santana left in the fifth inning. Santana, while he struggled in the first, dominated the rest of his appearance - striking out 6. Jones was the player of the game as he was 2-4 with 3 RBIs and a homerun.

The Twins moved to 1-1 on the season after having a poor game the previous night. They play at 5:00 tonight and hope to go above five-hundred and never look back.

Boxscore

Players I was impressed with:
Jacque Jones, 2-4, 3RBIs, 1 HR
Justin Morneau, 3-5, 1 RBI
Jason Bartlett, 2-5, RBI

Players that will improve:
Johan Santana, 5ip, 4ER, 6 Ks. Continuing his dominance (after the first inning), Santana did not have his fastball working for him. Unfortunately, Santana struggled with his fastball towards the end of the season, but hopefully JoSa can figure it out and bring those ERs down and IP up.

Players that I wasn't impressed with:
Joe Mauer, 1-4, 3Ks, 2 LOB

.........................................:::Oppone nt:::.........................................

The Mariners looked decent in the first inning. Sexson continued his hitting against Twins starting pitching. But after the first, the sucked. Their bullpen failed them as they gave up 4 ERs. They stuck out 10 times and five starters failed to get a hit against hte Twins pitchers. Suzuki again, looked uncomfortable but still got his hits.

[tim_uwrf]

I had a class during tonight's game so I'll have to try and watch it tomorrow on a replay, but seeing as I have class from 8:00-4:30, I doubt that it will happen.

I might have to read some reviews and look at the boxscores and try a crappy writeup for that. Otherwise I can miss a day (not like I won't the rest of the year) but I'd like to try.

[tim_uwrf]

Didn't get Wednesday night's game done. I'll do this one though since I get to watch this one.

BTW, Mauer's double (for those watching) was an inside pitch and Mauer got jammed big time but still pulled off a near homerun.

[AntoneSmith_2FSU]

Go Sox!

[tim_uwrf]

It's the middle of April, the Sox are making a pretty big statement here...

I'll do a weekly thing. Every day is a lot .

[Bobbuttons]

Still can't believe this thread has been open for 5 days and twins15 has yet to post in it.

[tim_uwrf]

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

Still can't believe this thread has been open for 5 days and twins15 has yet to post in it.

Must not be a big Twins fan.

[Davey Eckstein]

All I'm saying is, they'd better not get swept by the Sox at home. I was there for the home opener, not suprised by the loss there with Loshe. But when they lost with Radke on the mound I was shocked. I'm confident though that they'll win tonight with Johan pitching.

[tim_uwrf]

I'm not a happy man that Carlos Silva could possibly be down for the rest of the year. His injury sounds pretty serious and now the Twins, once again have a player go down early in the season.

I expect Terry M to take his spot in the rotation. Although it could be the guy they called up (I believe it was David Gassner). I'd prefer Terry, but that's just my opinion and I'm sure most would disagree. I think it was Gassner that came over in the A.J. trade (although it may have been the Kielty).

[Davey Eckstein]

Originally Posted by tim_uwrf

I'm not a happy man that Carlos Silva could possibly be down for the rest of the year. His injury sounds pretty serious and now the Twins, once again have a player go down early in the season.

I expect Terry M to take his spot in the rotation. Although it could be the guy they called up (I believe it was David Gassner). I'd prefer Terry, but that's just my opinion and I'm sure most would disagree. I think it was Gassner that came over in the A.J. trade (although it may have been the Kielty).

Well, Gassner won 16 or so games in Triple-A last year, so he deserves his shot. But he'll probably be like a Gurreier and have a horrible start or two and then be replaced by M.

[Davey Eckstein]

Dola,

The Twins traded A.J. Pierzynski to the Giants for RHPs Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser and LHP Francisco Liriano, not for Gassner, if that's his name.

[Jonzard]

If Boof ever develops this could become one of the best/worst trades ever, depending on perspective. Plus wouldnt it be fun to root for a guy named "Boof?" Thats one of those words that jumps on the screen whenever batman would punch a henchman.

[Davey Eckstein]

Originally Posted by Jonzard

If Boof ever develops this could become one of the best/worst trades ever, depending on perspective. Plus wouldnt it be fun to root for a guy named "Boof?" Thats one of those words that jumps on the screen whenever batman would punch a henchman.

There he is. I'll be rootin' for him!!!