Oct
06

Game Thread: Twins-Tigers Tiebreaker

By Mike Axisa

One hundred sixty-two games weren’t enough, so the Twins and the Tigers will play a Game 163 this evening to decide the winner the AL Central. As an added bonus, the victor will get to take on the 103-win Yankees in the Division Series. The loser, well they go home for the winter.

Jim Leyland’s club held a seven-game lead in the division as late as the morning of Sept. 7th, but they finished the year on a 12-15 schnide while the Twinkies won 16 of their final 20 games to make up the difference. Through 162-games the Tigers sport a -1 run differential, the Twins +51. That alone should tell you the Fightin’ Mauers are the better team, but the game will also be played in Minnesota, where the Twins went 48-33 this year. The Tigers? They went 35-46 on the road. Oh, and there’s that whole Miguel Cabrera mess, too.

I’m not sure who I’m pulling for — I guess the Twins because of the whole comeback story. Here’s the lineups:

Detroit
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Carlos Guillen, DH
Ryan Raburn, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS

Rick Porcello, SP (14-9, 4.04)

Minnesota
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Jose Morales, C
Matt Tolbert, 3B
Nick Punto, 2B

Scott Baker, SP (15-9, 4.36)

First pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. ET, and you can watch on TBS. Enjoy the game.

Posted on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm in Game Threads.

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363 Comments

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

I don’t care who we play the last 2 times we got to the playoffs i kept rutting to face the tigers and Indians and look what happen so im staying shut.

 
Drew says:

Go T…!! Uhh, I guess I’m rooting for the Twins. Either way, I want a 15 inning affair in which every bullpen arm is used!!

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 
 
Dela G says:

Detroit will lose 5-4

mark it

:D

 
Jake H says:

Should be a good game. I’m still having my head ache from that Molina decision.

 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

….And 4. He plays for the Tigers, and they are going to the playoffs.

 
RKelly39 says:

1 week ago I was rooting to play the Twins. Now I’m rooting to play the tigers. The twins scare me for some reason.

andrew says:

Twins are hot. its a little scary. Rather play the team who limped in.

 
 
Dela G says:

lol scott baker’s nickname is “Big Spot Scott”

another made up nickname with ZERO credibility, just like “big game james” shields

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Last year, when James Worthy heard that nickname, he threw up in his mouth and kicked his dog.

 
Evan says:

Now they’re mentioning “Big Game” Rick. o_0

Dela G says:

i love how rookies who have never pitched a big game have that moniker

 
 
 
Drew says:

What the hell the baggy is gone!

Sam says:

What are you talking about?

 
 
Yankee1010 says:

Is anybody watching on mlb.tv? Does anybody know how to get a “normal view” instead of only one of the 8 camera angles? Right now, you only get one camera angle, i.e. the centerfield camera just stays on the pitcher and catcher, and it’s being operated by a guy who may or may not be having seizures.

ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops says:

Apparently this is all that is available:

http://www.mlbsupport.com/foru.....6109f28152

I’m pissed.

Yankee1010 says:

It’s ridiculous. Don’t advertise multiple camera angles and then not have an option to see, you know, where the ball actually goes. Good work, mlb.tv.

 
 
 
Charlie says:

i feel like i should in a way, but for some reason i just don’t care who wins this game. i honestly think the yanks will plow through either one of them.

john says:

they give you those camera views because they can’t give the tbs view because black out restrictions prevent you from watching national coverage of games on the internet.

Charlie says:
 
 
 
Dela G says:

wow porcello’s BAA is .270??

the yankees would pound him… again in the playoffs

 
Steven says:

How many times would Joe mauer have to get out to lose the batting title

There you go, they just answered for you. 0 for 18.

Mike bk says:

so just a 30 inning game needed at least.

 
Yanks4ever says:

Hey Mike how many at-bats does Mauer need to go 0-fer to lower his average below .361? I ask cause it is the record for BA for catchers established by our very own Bill Dickey.

Since he’s already 1 for 1, he’d need to go 0 for his next 8 to get under .361.

Yanks4ever says:

Thanks, Mike. I guess poor Bill will lose his incredible record. I really wish folks would remember and celebrate the great original Yankee #8!

 
 
 
 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

Worthy just threw up again.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Do all of the pitchers use “Big Game” as a nickname? Really?

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

As much as I like Tex and Jeter, if anyone not named “Joe Mauer” wins the MVP, it will be a travesty.

 
Dela G says:
 
Drew says:

Let’s see if the Tigers changed their signs…

 

Joe Mauer is a god.

Dela G says:

he is minnesota’s equivalent of derek jeter

pat says:

Lets hope he stays there for a loooooong time.

Tom Zig says:
 
 
 
Yanks4ever says:

Blasphemey!!!!!! Do nont worship false idols!!

/ Mo

 
 
pat says:

Ugh, effing Michael Boley just had knee surgery and will be out 4 weeks. G-Men are getting hammered by injuries this year.

yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

aaaaaa dammit how did that happen didn’t he play the whole game against kc.

pat says:

I think he did.. I dunno when he got hurt. Partially torn meniscus in his right knee. Shit sucks yo.

andrew says:

The last few OLB signings haven’t exactly gone as planned. Lavar, Boley…

 
 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

I Noe we have Montero In our organization but shyt i wish the Yankees Get Mauer.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Wow, you weren’t even close to getting that sentence right. I’m kind of impressed.

 
 
Nady Nation says:

I don’t understand these claims that Posada acted like a “whiny bitch” today. I just listened to the audio, and I don’t sense any whining tone whatsoever. So he was pissed off, why is that a big deal? Most of the Yankee fan base is pissed off with the decision too, does that make us “whiny bitches”? And since when is being angry “whining?”

JMK aka The Overshare says:

The narrative is more interesting than him saying a neutral statement and letting it end at that. He’s perfectly right to feel angry. If he said, “I think this is the best decision for the team, etc.,” the media would say he has no heart and doesn’t care. There was nothing he could say that wouldn’t be met with resistance.

Nady Nation says:

He’s also one of the team’s best players. Seems perfectly reasonable to me that he was upset about being benched for an incredibly inferior player. I bet Jeter would’ve reacted similarly if he were benched for a playoff game.

whozat says:

Seriously.

“well, we’ve got a groundball pitcher on the mound, so we’re putting in Ramiro Pena to increase the odds of getting a better starting performance. It’s two or three at-bats…what do you care?”

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:

wow that was a big minnesota gal

JMK aka The Overshare says:

If she doesn’t retain the blubber, she’d never make it through the winter.

Dela G says:
 
 
 
Dela G says:

wow miguel cabrera has a great power stroke

Mike bk says:

didnt even look like he swung hard.

 
 
Dela G says:

hmm “big spot scott” better get his shit together

 
JGS says:

wow, nexdef is really far behind

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

Can tomorrow come already.

 
Drew says:

lol gotta love umpires…

 
Dela G says:

this is a very tight strike zone here… man that sucks for baker

 

And Baker wiggles out of it.

 
Omg!Zombies! says:

God damn this is so great watching it at work. Nothing beats October baseball nothing!

 
Omg!Zombies! says:

God damn this is so great watching it at work. Nothing beats October baseball nothing!

 
Beast of the East says:

anyone know a good site to stream live tv so I can catch this game..

 
ev says:

yeah this mlb.tv “broadcast” is quite ridiculous. especially listening to them babble in between innings like no one can hear them.

ev says:

actually this works if anyone with mlb.tv is still having problems:

1. Open up any regular season game in archive mode.
2. When the player opened click on Today´s games. Choose the Twins and Tigers game and here you go

 
whozat says:

I kind of love that part, hearing them chat with each other.

Funny to me that they just talked about how Porcello is doing “so great”, despite other pitchers being coddled this year…and he’s thrown 15 fewer innings than Joba, about whom I am certain they are speaking.

ev says:

i really liked the line “see orlando take charge like that?” during the commercial break after that routine popup to short.

then chip chimes in “wow thats a good line you should open with that”.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

man i wish i didnt have to go to class in 1 hour, i really wanna watch this whole game

JGS says:

October baseball >>>> class

Drew says:

Nah gotta save the skip days for Yankee games.

 
Dela G says:

test in class that class thursday>>>> october baseball :(

 
danny says:

im not going to an extra credit event tomorrow, october baseball is more important then anything!!! haha

JGS says:

I am, but once that’s over (4ish), I’m headed to the ballpark

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:

damn porcello is on fire

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Breaking news: The Minnesota Twins have announced that Mike Redmond will be the catcher for SP Nick Blackburn throughout the playoffs, over star catcher Joe Mauer. Opponents are hitting .300/.333/.477/.810 off Blackburn with Mauer, whereas opponents are only hitting .278/.312/.433/.745 in six games with Redmond behind the plate. Mauer, the frontrunner in the MVP race, will likely pinch hit for Redmond later in the game. Redmond is slugging .289 this season.

/kidding

JGS says:

the sad part is Molina is slugging even less than that

JMK aka The Overshare says:

He should bunt every time he’s at bat, regardless of the situation.

whozat says:

He should just stand in the on-deck circle, working on timing his bunting

 
 
 
 
chriskeo says:

I have decided I am going to root for the pitchers, and extra inning game would really tire them out before tomorrow’s game.

 
Drew says:

Baker seems to miss his spots a lot.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Holy lord is he slow (not C-Note).

 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Los Tigres up 1-0!

 
Evan says:

What are they shouting to Miggy?

JSquared says:
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

“Only drink Dos Equis!”

 
SmittDogg says:

Alcoholic!
Clap
Clap
Clap-Clap-Clap

 
 
Drew says:

Saw that coming.. Miggy is a beast.

 
whozat says:
 
danny says:
Jamal G. says:

The Tigers are a much, much worse team than the Twins; thus, the home run was a really, really good event.

whozat says:

…I don’t know that that’s true. Starting pitching will out, and the Twins have worse pitching than the Tigers.

 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

wow that was a blast.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

It suddenly got quiet in Minnesota. Big Spot Scott will need a bodyguard if this score holds.

 
BigBlueAL says:

Cant wait to see Molina’s at-bats against Verlander on Friday.

 
Jamal G. says:

If I’m not mistaken, I think Twin fans just got the front door shut on them.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

6 innings left. It’s deflating, though.

 
 
Dela G says:

miguel cabrera = clutch

 
SmittDogg says:

By the way, how many games will get postponed in Minnesota next year? I just read that if this game were to be played next year, they wouldn’t be able to play today. What a nightmare that could prove to be.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

They won’t postpone them. They’ll play them in Scranton-Wilkes Barre. PROBLEM SOLVED!

 
chriskeo says:

would they be allowed to play games at the Metrodome?

Dela G says:

hmm, i never really thought of that idea

 
 
Stryker says:

not sure i ever understood the move to NOT have a roof on the stadium – ESPECIALLY since it’s in minny. sooooo freakin’ dumb.

JGS says:

well, the Twins were there twenty years before the Metrodome opened–what did they do then?

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Large trash cans on fire kept everyone warm. Also, the parkas made of gophers helped.

 
 
 
 
yankeefan91 Arod fan says:

The score looks a lot like Baker number :p

 
Dela G says:

big spot scott, eh?

that’s what i thought

 
Evan says:

Chip Caray just loves trying to anticipate comebacks, huh?

 
Yanks4ever says:

Damn, how badly does MLB want their precious Twins to advance, huh? Can’t wait to see the unbiased Chip broadcast our games with no spin at all.

JGS says:

MLB loves the Twins? I seem to recall Bud Selig trying to contract them a few years back

Yanks4ever says:

Well, I guess I meant the baseball media has the Twins more of a darling in their eyes than the actual bigwigs in MLB.

JGS says:

they are a low payroll team that is a perennial contender. It’s a nice story

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:

lets see if the mvp delivers

 
Dela G says:

enough with the porcello knob slobbering….

 
SmittDogg says:

I sincerely hope if the Tigers win this game, Yankee fans have the presence of mind to show up at the Stadium with some white Hanes wife-beaters on to serenade Miguel Cabrera. Particularly since his face looks like his wife actually ended up winning that fight.

Yanks4ever says:

I’ll be leading the chants against that crum-bum!!

/delusional Knoblauch’d

 
 

Big run right there. Chip away.

 
Dela G says:
 
Jamal G. says:

Who started this crap that the Twins have worse starting pitching than the Tigers:

From my Twitter:

The average tRA of Verlander, Jackson and Porcello is 4.54; the average tRA of Lyon, Miner, Seay and Rodney is 4.10.

The average tRA of Baker, Pavano and Blackburn is 4.15; the average tRA of Mijares, Nathan, Guerrier and Crain is 3.61 (Jon Rauch = SSS).

The only advantages the Tigers hold over the Twins are defense and power arms in the rotation.

whozat says:

Because it has been shown that, in the playoffs, power pitching and defense correlate positively with winning.

Jamal G. says:

No, good power pitching correlates positively with winning. *Justin Verlander is the only above-average power pitcher the Detroit Tigers employ.

*Technically, Edwin Jackson does boast an 106 tRA+ for the season, but his second half has been all sorts of shitty.

 
 
Drew says:

Eh, you like Baker, !Pavano! and Blackburn over Verander, Jackson and Porcello?

Drew says:
Jamal G. says:

Yes, because people confuse power with good results. Rick Porcello has been crap this year, and Edwin Jackson has been just as awful throughout the second half of the season. The Twins, however, legitimately boast three above-average Major League starting pitchers; the Tigers absolutely do not.

Drew says:

Crap? That’s an exaggeration. Dude has a 4 ERA and it will drop below 4 after a couple more good innings.

Drew says:

Also, did you call Pavano an above average starter?

Jamal G. says:

1. Rick Porcello has been worth 12.8 pitching runs below average; his tRA+ is 85; he has been producing like that of a replacement-level pitcher (0.4 WAR).

2. Carl Pavano, whilst with Minnesota, has already produced 8.5 pitching runs above average; has a tRA+ of 120; he has amassed the value of a near-average starter (1.6 WAR) in just 73.2 innings pitched.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
JGS says:

also, Twins starters have a 6.90 ERA in the 7 games against New York

 
 
whozat says:

I love how they’re all over Porcello’s jock, about how he really knows what he’s doing up there, how he does all the little things like field his position…and then he throws the ball away on a pickoff.

Dela G says:

they are blowing him harder than mary carey…

Yanks4ever says:

Wha?!?!? But I thought we had something special!!!!

/ Melky’d

Oh, well next ;)

/ Melky after five minutes’d

 
 
 

That was a hearty MVP chant right there.

 
Dela G says:

baton passer that mauer guy is

 

Mauer looked way to happy taking that walk.

whozat says:

There is an MVP voter, somewhere in America, that just now had that thought. A real MVP, like Miguel Cabrera, hits a homer there.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

He’s willing his team to win…from 1st base.

 
 

I feel like I haven’t seen the Yankees play in a month.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

You going to the game tomorrow, Mike?

 
 
 
Jackson says:

Mauer baton passing

 
Dela G says:

damn

porcello is a fucking beast

striking out the kubes

 
Lissette says:

Stupid question, but with Girardi’s asking fans to get loud in the playoffs anyone know if yanks will give out rally towels or something similar during the playoffs?

Dela G says:

if we play the tigers, they will give out wife beaters to the first 20000 fans… ;)

 
JGS says:

I sincerely hope not, but we will find out tomorrow night

 
Drew says:

They’ll be handing out singles and the crowd will make it rain every time we get a man on base.

 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

I’m personally bringing some of the pinstriped diapers my cat uses, and handing them out to fans. Interested? I cleaned them all…

 
crapulent aka I said good day sir says:

We don’t do that stupid stuff. It’s the Bronx for Mo sake.

 
 
claybeez says:

Nice fist pump too…

Jake H says:

Hopefully the media jumps on Porcello for showing emotion. oh wait he’s not on the Yanks so it’s ok.

Yanks4ever says:

Hey, he has an excuse. Any man from Jersey can’t help but be emotional. Showin Jersey Pride, way to go Porcello!!

 
 
 
whozat says:

It’s nice to see Porcello showing emotion, and he’s just getting stronger as he nears 150IP, unlike these pitchers you see getting coddled.

But Joba Chamberlain is ruining baseball with his showboating, and what the fuck are the Yankees thinking, limiting him to 160 innings? That’s ridiculous coddling.

Accent Shallow says:

Well, Joba is a full three years older than Porcello.

(By the way, did you know his name is “Frederick Alfred Porcello”? Ouch)

JGS says:

Frederick Alfred Porcello III

don’t skimp on the numerals

 
whozat says:

Yeah…and each of them threw < 130 innings last year.

 
 
 
Jake H says:

I love how this Ump doesn’t call a strike.

 
Accent Shallow says:

A gem from ESPN radio:

(after relatively effusive praise of Nick Punto)

” . . . if you asked Gardenhire if he’d rather have Punto or Robinson Cano . . . (dramatic pause) . . . he’d take Cano, but it is what it is.”

JMK aka The Overshare says:

Nick Punto’s parents wouldn’t take him over Robbie.

Jose says:

But he’s a switch hitter. He helps balance the lineup by giving 110% every game.

 
 
 
Accent Shallow says:

Not a bad recovery from Baker, there.

 
Dorian says:

I hit off Porcello in High School in the Iron Hills Conference of NJ. I went East Orange Cammpus and he went to Seton Hall. We went like 4-19 and he k’d me lol.

Tank the Frank says:

No shame it that. LOL. I remember I was praying that the Yankees would get to draft Porcello.

Dorian says:

On the 3rd strike, I went back to the bench and they asked me what he threw me. I said slider. I asked him after the game and he said sinker. DISGUSTING.

 
 
 
Tank the Frank says:

So how do the opposing rotations set up after this game?

Tigers:

Game 1 – Jackson
Game 2 – Verlander
Game 3 – Porcello

Twins:

Game 1 – Pavano
Game 2 – Blackburn
Game 3 – Baker

How’s that look?

I think it’ll be Blackburn, then Pavano. Blackburn threw on Saturday, Pavano Sunday, both on short rest.

They could always throw Duensing too.

 
Guest says:

Is it me or is this not even close in terms of rotations? I understand the twins have been hot recently and “be careful what you wish for” and all that, but that Twin pitching staff doesn’t exactly strike fear into my hearts. Granted, the Twins lineup is materially better than the Tigers lineup, but the Tigers have three power guys who could shut down a great team and the Twins…well don’t.

 
 
whozat says:

How are they different? They’re exactly the same thing!

 
Tank the Frank says:

Kudos to Carey and Darling for actually talking sense when it comes to Joba and other young pitchers.

Yanks4ever says:

I refuse to give credit, let alone kudos, to any idiot named Chip, Tank. Although, usual praise for Mr. Darling, for sure.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Yeah. Although from looking at game logs, it seems the Tigers tried to keep him on 5 days rest, rather than 4. Other than a long break at the AS Game, he made every start on 4 or 5 days rest (one 6 at the end of the year).

Whereas Joba was on 4 days rest after the AS break, except when the Yankees gave him the extended break. Hmm.

 
 
Jackson says:

Hell of an at bat by Morales.

 
Yanks4ever says:

What the hell?!?! Is that supposed to be art or somethin?!?!

I’m talking about the giant spoon and cherry if folks get confuse with my comment.

 
Jake H says:

While Porcello has looked pretty good. You have to wonder if that extra day off killed Minn’s momentum.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Porcello: what below average K-rate, bitches?

 
Tank the Frank says:

I don’t know…a lot of these pitches look like they’re up in the zone and over the plate, the Twins are just missing them.

 
whozat says:

Porcello continues to BLAZE it in there! (at 92MPH)

Joba can’t succeed with his mediocre 92MPH heat.

 
Pete says:

Anyone see this CNN commercial about their special show on Latinos? A little heads up for them- don’t except much respect from actual Latinos when you use Eva Longeria as a major higlight. Who else do they have Mencia and J-Lo? Oh, and is this before or after Lou Dobbs ;)

Also, how exactly are they the worldwide leader in news? Are they not the lowest rated & ost irrevelant network of the major three?

A little heads up for them- don’t except much respect from actual Latinos when you use Eva Longeria as a major higlight.

Would you prefer Salma Hayek? I know I would…

Seriously, though, I don’t have high hopes for it. Soledad O’Brien’s “Black in America” twin documentaries sucked. Nothing incisive nothing insightful, nothing thought provoking or speaking truth to power, just bland fluff pieces that have no message and nothing to say. A waste of 4 hours of television programming. I’m sure the Latino version will be just as banal.

Pete says:

Wow, praise from Caesar. {Tears well up} Thanks TSJC. I mean their other specials usually do fall a bit flat and like you said- if their going to get someone famous why not- Salma Hayek. At least she’s actually been part of some good movies.

If their going to get someone famous why not- Salma Hayek. At least she’s actually been part of some good movies.

Yeah, and she’s got great jugs, too.

http://m.blog.hu/ko/konzervato....._hayek.jpg

http://www.hiyoooo.com

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Salma Halyek boobs, {Drools} Aughh…..

/ Homer Simpson’d

It takes a village to raise a child, but it only takes one Salma Hayek to nurse a whole village of children.

 
 
 
 
Evan says:

I only partially paid attention to them while my mother watched theme (she had to watch 4 times because she kept on falling asleep) but what should they have talked about? I thought it was OK. Not brilliant but decent.

 
 
 

(door flies open)

WHAT’S UP, BOYS, WHY THE LONG FACES? Still bummed about Jose Molina starting a game in the ALDS? Who cares, WE’RE STILL GONNA KILL THEM!!!

PinstripesFoeverDougie says:

What the hell have you been up TSJC? Perhaps, pussytubing ;)

Sorry I’m late, I was eating a sub.

Not a sub sandwich… an ACTUAL submarine.

(farts)

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Wait, even after that amazing Mr. Sanchez came up short… you still can eat a sub? You are INDEED more of a man than I, TSJC :)

Yup. He’s a rookie, he’s gonna lay an egg every now and then.

My retorts:

1.) Minus those two horrible Sanchez turnovers returned/recovered for touchdowns, the score of that Jets-Saints game would be 10-10. We played them to a draw but gift-wrapped them the margin of victory on two rookie mistakes. We played well outside of those two plays.
2.) In four games, our defense has given up two TD drives: one by Brees on Sunday, and one by the Titans last week. We’re still playing great defense on the whole.
3.) We get Calvin Pace back next week. Kick it up a notch.
4.) We’re still in first place in the AFC East (thanks to the head-to-head win over the Pats.
5.) ESPN’s PowerRankings (which means absolutely nothing) lists us as the 5th best team in the league, even with our loss. Better than the undefeated Broncos, even.

Unrelated pussytubing note:
6.) The Miami Hurricanes beat Oklahoma on Saturday and are back in the top 15, and are primed to run the table now that the JV portion of our schedule is all that remains.

 
 
 
 

Yup. Pretty much.

 
 

Man, this game is a real snoozefest, eh?

chriskeo says:

nice timing on that, its now a one run game.

I must have offended Kubel. He wants me to enjoy the show.

 
 
 

This game is flying by.

 
Drew says:

It’s gonna be windy as hell in the Bronx tomorrow. They’ll either be tons of home runs or tons of fly ball outs.

Either way, advantage us!

Tank the Frank says:

Yeah Porcello’s been living dangerously up in the zone all game. His fastball has good movement which works to his advantage, but sooner or later he was going to pay. He doesn’t have the velocity to get away with mistakes all day.

Tank the Frank says:

Aaaaaaaand I have no idea how to make a separate post, apparently. Sorry.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

porcello is murder

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Waitaminute, Dela G…. do you mean the mushrooms speciality or the pitcher?

 
 

You know, I get the starting Molina over Posada decision (I don’t like it, but I get it). But are both Molina and Cervelli going to be on the roster? I don’t get that. That’s dumb.

Matsui is still going to DH every game, so when Molina plays, Jorge is his backup, and when Jorge plays, Molina is his backup. Carrying three catchers is still a waste of a roster spot. I’d rather have both Guzman and Marte rather than just one of them so that both Frankie and Jose make the cut.

Sorry if I’m rehashing something we’ve already discussed; I missed all the discussion threads from Friday-Monday.

Jamal G. says:

Your question can’t be answered because all we know is that Ramiro Pena, Sergio Mitre and Brian Bruney are officially not on the roster.

Tom Zig says:

surprised, very not surprised, semi not surprisd

Drew says:

haha what is that from? I remember hearing it but can’t place it.

 
 

Good point, I’m jumping the gun.

Tyler Kepner is going to press (going to blog?) with his prediction http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....ff-roster/ and has three catchers on it, but I did dissent already from his assertion that Marte wasn’t an automatic inclusion, so maybe he’s wrong and I’m right.

 
 
 

Haha Star Wars music for the Twins!
I am 100 percent expecting the Imperil March if the Yanks play there.

 
 
Dela G says:
 
Riddering says:

Anyone notice the music following Kubel’s home run?

That’s it: the Twins are meant to play us in the ALDS.

 
Accent Shallow says:

The play Star Wars music after a jack? The fuck?

Also, RAB twitter had an argument with someone about Mauer v. Kubel (!) for MBP yesterday. Whoa.

Riddering says:

Most Balltastic Player?

Accent Shallow says:

Not Mike Lowell.

 
 
 
CanoFTW says:

Wow that went far…

 

Cue in the Tigers bullpen to further fuck up the game for them.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Zach Miner? Looks like we’ll be seeing the Twins . . .

/prepares to have this quoted when I’m wrong

 
 
Dela G says:

porcello seems to be tiring in terms of speed

 
Moshe Mandel says:

That was just a strange performance. Porcello was throwing 90-92, and only throwing fastballs (77 of 92!!), yet they kept just missing it.

Mike bk says:

plenty of pitches early on the 4 seamer up were hitting 94/95, not sure later since i missed innings 3-5.

 
Drew says:

He’s got a lot of movement on the 2 seamer and it seemed he was able to keep the ball down in the zone when he wanted to.

 
Tank the Frank says:

I agree with you. Although Drew is right about his 2-seam movement, that was a lucky start by Porcello. The Twins swung through a lot of hittable pitches.

 
 
Drew says:

Holy shit they had C-Grand playing no HR defense.

 
Riddering says:

Bases loaded on a walk, a bloop, and a HBP.

This inning could be great for the Twins.

 
Mike bk says:

minnesota lineup certainly seem deeper and hotter than detroit and i certainly worry about their bullpen more than detroit. detroit has two players that scare me in miguel and verlander.

 

Jon Rauch’s ESPN headshot is quintessential tragicomedy.

http://a.espncdn.com/i/headsho.....5/4572.jpg

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

If that headshot is tragicomedy, then what’s this?

http://www.superstock.com/stoc...../1244-5339

Slapstick comedy?

Jon Rauch isn’t trying to look like a spaz. He just does by accident.

 
 
 
Mike bk says:

all these complaints about 1 game for molina. we could be detroit playing laird for the whole series.

Isn’t that even more of a reason to start Posada? Not give away that advantage.

Mike bk says:

because we dont have enough advantages with A-rod, Jeter, Damon, Cano, Swisher and Matsui vs their counterparts?

Tom Zig says:

why not have more?

 
 
 
Drew says:

Well, in our eyes it’s not just one game.

Maybe we need our eyes checked…

Drew says:

I will explain.

No, there is too much. I will sum up.

Mike bk: We keep complaining about Molina starting over Posada, but it’s just one game.
Drew: It feels like more than just one game, though.
Me: Yeah, feels that way… but it’s not, though. It IS ACTUALLY only one game.

… aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, SCENE!

Drew says:

Eh…
AJ is going to pitch well. Some audio I heard from Joe was that he’s going with Molina because he and AJ have built up a rhythm and Joe doesn’t want to mess with that.
So, I have to figure JoMo will be starting in the ALCS and WS as well.

Okay, fair enough. My sub-retort: Even if Molina’s horrible bat singlehandedly costs us Game 2 of the ALDS, Game 2 of the ALCS, and Game 2 of the WS, we still win the ALDS in 4, the ALCS in 5, and the WS in 5.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
Mike bk says:

well i was referring to one series at a time since i dont want to get ahead of myself because if he really does cost us game 2 vs whomever doubtful girardi benches posada for a deciding game 5 if it happens.

(Comments wont nest below this level)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Moshe Mandel says:

Small Ball!!!! Wasn’t that bunt exciting? Wasn’t it fundamental?

Tank the Frank says:

Detroit with the 2nd most sac bunts in the league? Now I really want to play them. Give up as many outs as you want Leyland, by all means.

 
 

Wow, I thought that was heading into the gap for sure. Nice play by Span.

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Carlos Gomez is a tortoise, fools!!!

/ Span’d

Tank the Frank says:

Carlos Gomez robbed A-Rod of a grand slam this season, and for that I will be forever vengeful.

Watch ya back Carlos… watch ya back.

Riddering says:

He also tried to take out Tex’s arm.

I haven’t forgotten that.

 
 
 
 
Drew says:

Did Mijares really think that was a strike?

 
Tank the Frank says:

I want to see a 17-inning MARATHON. Empty the tank!!!

ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops says:

Especially with Gardenhire already using his relievers like coin-whores.

 
 
Evan says:

If Gardenhire managed this like the ninth, Nathan would have been in there.

 

I’m sorry, maybe my ears were clogged but did Ron Darling just drop a Dag Hammarskjold reference?

Ronnie, it’s just a Baseball game.

Now I wish I was listening.

I got MAD U Thant name-drops on that ass!

 
 
Dela G says:

Guerrier = nails

 
Moshe Mandel says:

Here’s what I dont get. If you are willing to use 3 relievers in that inning, why go batter to batter with the starter? Why not just pull him after the 6th? It is not like you are trying to avoid certain arms, because you used those guys anyhow.

 

Haha, am I the only one that just saw the guy with the skullet? Awesome.

 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

“It looks good on Hulk Hogan…”

 

Hey if friggin TBS have a radar gun why doesn’t YES/

Turner made lots of new-radar-gun-money from all those colorized movies.

Jose says:

True Story: Turner wanted to colorize Citizen Kane

Greatest film in history needed to be changed?

 
 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

That’s why you play small ball there.

/Connie Mack’d

 
 

And the Twinkies lead.

 
 
Raf says:

Ocab. wow. the LF didnt even attempt to make a catch on it, weird

Raf says:

actually he just made a really bad one

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

The Twins are so hot right now. Twins.

 
whozat says:

He has the weirdest HR trot I’ve ever seen.

Evan says:

That looked like a wannabe Rickey trot.

 
 
JGS says:

anyone else think Raburn had a shot at that one?

Sam P. says:

Absolutely … looked like his misplayed where he thought it would come down. He might have had a chance on it. Or so it looked in the one replay I saw.

 
PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Yup, he did and he kinda blew it by leaping too early.

 
 
 
Jake K. says:

I’m all over the map with this game. When the Tigers are winning I want us to face the Twins. Now that the Twins are winning I want us to face the Tigers.

Tom Zig says:

i want an extra inning game

 
Mike bk says:

as i said other than verlander and cabrera no one on the tigers even bothers me at all. minnesota on the other hand has 4-5 hot hitters and a much better bullpen than detroit.

 
Tank the Frank says:

I’m with you. That’s what three consecutive first round exits will do to a man.

 
 
Andy in Sunny Daytona says:

I wonder if a more athletic LF would have made that catch? It’s a shame the Tigers don’t have one……Wait A Minute!!!!

 
whozat says:

Maybe I do want to see the tigers…their pen is pretty shoddy, and the Yanks are the kings of patience and late-inning heroics.

Tom Zig says:
 
 

Orlando Cabrera and Nick Punto are Bash-Brothering the Twinkies into October baseball, like Jose and Mark in their primes.

:: head explodes ::

 
X says:

worst… announcers…. ever

Mike bk says:

well get used to them since i think tbs runs the first round of the playoffs. any idea who is calling the yanks game tomorrow?

Andy in Sunny Daytona says:
Mike bk says:

i was afraid of that answer.

 
 
 
Drew says:

I’d rather Ron Darling than Flash and Kay.

Sam P. says:

And/or Steve Phillips, Joe Morgan, Rick Sutcliffe, etc.

 
 
 
Jake H says:
 
ansky says:

I’d like to have a tie in the next inning and then have both teams start burning some bullpen….Bern baby Bern!!!

 
nathan says:

OCabrera .. the thorn in our 04 alcs and 05 alds flesh… that guy is a pest

Tank the Frank says:

Seriously bad memories.

nathan says:

cant get it out of the system until they hoist 27

 
 
 
Dela G says:

the OC = clutch personified

 

‘Ni’ has to be the shortest name in the majors.

He’s like the anti-Saltalamacchia

Dela G says:

his name rolls off the tongue though

Dela G says:

Ni’s name i mean

I have a strange urge to bring him a shrubbery.

whozat says:
 
 
 
 
whozat says:

I’m sad that my “knights who say Ni!” link got stuck in the filter :-(

 
 
 
ansky says:

hopefully Miggy comes up and beats on the ball like he beat his wife and ties the game.

whozat says:
 
PinstripesForeverDougie says:

……a tad, whozat.

Congrats to to the tigers & hopefully onto the 12,13th inning!!

whozat says:

………i agree.

…………yes, yes I do.

 
 
 
 
Dela G says:

TIE GAME!!!

FUCK YEAH!!

CMON EXTRA INNINGS!!

Evan says:

20 innings, FTW!

 
 
JGS says:

yeah! go extras!

 
whozat says:

Nice.

Ok, now just keep it here for like…8 more innings.

Tom Zig says:

I want Verlander to come in and throw some pitches today

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

I want to see the game so long that both teams have to call upon Jack Morris & Jim Katt to pitch!!

 
 
 
ClayBuchholzLovesLaptops says:

Extras here we come.

 

Magglio Ordoñez might be a vampire. His resurrection is the one reason I may ultimately want to play the Twins more than the Tigers, even though I’d generally rather not play the hotter of the two teams:

If Magglio can give Detroit a second legit bat in the order next to Cabrera, that changes the dynamic a lot.

Dela G says:

especially with him AND polanco heating up…

 
Guest says:

This. Totally this. Seriously, he has come back from out of no where in the last couple of months.

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Ding-Dong….

Vitamin delivery for mr. Magglio Ordonez…

from your pal, David Ortiz ;)

Tank the Frank says:

Magglio, what do you attribute this sudden hot streak at the end of the season to? How have you been able to do it?

Magglio: “I’m still looking to gether information. I really can’t say anything until all the facts are in. Until then, please direct all questions to my union representitive.”

 
 
 
 
 
ansky says:

I didnt think it was too soon. He’s not on the Yanks so he’s fair game. No one told him to booze it up during a pennant race.

Drew says:

He went from Venezuala to Miami to DETROIT!! I don’t blame him for getting wasted.
lol

 

A) Doesn’t matter whether he’s on the Yanks or another team; wife-beating or spousal abuse is not really a joking matter.
B) Please use the reply button. Thanks in advance.

ansky says:

take it easy dude. I wasnt advocating spousal abuse. I was making joke on a sports board not a panel on domestic violence. Sheesh forget i said anything….and now back to the game.

Sheesh forget i said anything…

You got it, will do.

 
 
JMK aka The Overshare says:

Regarding A): What if it’s a common-law wife? I mean, it’s not really a wife, is it?

 
 

I’m all for you joking on him for getting wasted the day before the big game like an idiot and having to get bailed out of the clink by his boss like a moron, but the domestic violence can just be left out of it. Just my two cents.

 
 
Tank the Frank says:

Seriously…there is no reason for this game to end in my opinion. Only after a 18-inning affair will we truly see who the better team is.

whozat says:

Whoa, whoa…can we truly decide this with a game that takes less than 36-48 hours? That seems irresponsible.

Tank the Frank says:

I say pin the two teams against each other in a Triathlon. Only then can we separate the men from the boys.

whozat says:

Or, perhaps, some kind of melee. They already have a wide selection of blunt weapons available. That should keep fatalities down.

 
 
 
 
PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Damn, am I the only who hates to see all the dejected fans after a moment like that? I hate reveling in a fan’s most vulnerable moment….unless it’s a red sox fan that is :)

 
whozat says:

It’s hard for me to buy that Leyland has done such an amazing job, and that “his tigers have responded again, and again…” when they had a 7 game lead a month ago, a three game lead four days ago, and still had to play today.

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

It’s hard for me to buy anything from a grown man called Chip.

 
 
 
Mike bk says:

nathan coming in for more than an inning would be very good since they play tomorrow if they win. same with rodney.

Accent Shallow says:

I figure Nathan pitches the 9th. Rodney may only pitch if the Tigers get a lead.

whozat says:

If runners wind up on the corners here, I expect to see Nathan.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

throw strikes damn it

 
Moshe Mandel says:

For all those who complain about Girardi’s bullpen management and excessive bunting, take a look at the awful job done today by “baseball’s best.” Neither has a clue, and Girardi is spectacular by comparison.

PinstripesForeverDougie says:

Amen to that, Moshe

 
Dela G says:

gardenhire almost cost them the game saturday too with his deplorable bullpen managemnt

 
Jose says:

Mike picked Gardenhire for Manager of the Year over Girardi.

 
 
HEY YANKEE FANS, says:
 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Andy Seiler’s Mock Draft has us picking high schooler Justin O’Conneras the #32 pick.

The Yankees are building a solid core of young hitting in their system, and they’re only lacking an eventual replacement for Derek Jeter. Enter Justin O’Conner. O’Conner’s got all the tools to be a plus shortstop with both the glove and the bat, and it’s only his geographic location that’s hampered him as a prospect. He’s got one of the best infield arms in the entire class, and there’s not much thought that he’ll ever have to move positions. He hits well, too, and he could easily surpass both Machado and Cabrera in this class of shortstops. This would be a great pick for the Yankees, who should be brainstorming about who should replace Jeter in the near-future.

He has the Red Sox picking Jedd Gyorko fwiw

Any mock draft that comes out this early is completely and totally useless, and nothing but a waste of time.

Johan Iz My Brohan says:

just thought I’d point it out, of course any pick could shoot up or completely sink.

 
Mike bk says:

i agree, but Jameson Taillon certainly had an impressive tourney leading the USA to gold going 7.2 4H 0ER 16K’s in the finale.

JMK aka The Overshare says:

No way he falls to us.

 
 
 
Johan Iz My Brohan says:

Justin O’Conner / as***

http://www.mlbbonusbaby.com <–link

 
PinstripesForeverDougie says:

thanks for the info, johan.

 
whozat says:

a) if the kid is that good, and he’s on some guy’s radar this early someone else will pick him.
b) if the Yanks need to be figuring out who’ll replace Jeter in the near future, how does picking an 18 year old kid in 2010 help? If he makes it by 2015, I’d be impressed.

 
Accent Shallow says:

Someone is mocking the draft already? Christ.

Why bother at this point?

 
 
Dela G says:

here comes joe nathan

cmon joe, we need you here

 
Nels says:

What would you guys think is YES got a strike tracker like the one TBS has?

Dela G says:

even all of the Fox Sports Affiliates around the country and NESN has something like that. YES is way behind the curve for some reason

 
PinstripesForeverDougie says:

I would be thrilled!!! It’s unbelievable how the # 1 regional sports network does not have a K-Zone of some sorts.

 
 
SmittDogg says:

Opinions about how long this game has to go before we get Verlander at least up and throwing?

cjc says:
 
Mike bk says:

i dont think he could even if they wanted him to. he threw 120 pitches 48 hrs ago. if it was tomorrow maybe.

 
Accent Shallow says:

12th, absolute minimum.

 
 

Tie game at home, Nathan it is.

 
HEY YANKEE FANS, says:

nathan should have been in an inning ago but ok

You want to bring in your closer in the 7th?

The 8th is being aggressive, the 7th is just dumb. Somebody else has to get some outs from your bullpen.

HEY YANKEE FANS, says:

i misspoke, i meant the start of the inning.

 
 
 
Dela G says:

joe nathan is the shit

 
Accent Shallow says:

Nicely done from Nathan there.

Can we get matching zeroes for ~10 more innings?

Dela G says:

with the twins’ bullpen???

Don’t count on it

 
 
Ivan says:

This has been a pretty productive day for me. Im watching some incredible playoff baseball, and I got NBA 2K10…..YAY!

 

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