So it will be the Minnesota Twins who will be going up against the New York Yankees at the stadium tonight, yes the Twins who defeated the Detroit Tigers late last night in extra innings 6-5, to come all the way back from 7 games down in the standings just a month ago, and beat out the Tigers who choked away their playoffs aspirations on the very last day of the season Ala the NY Mets.
The well rested & HEAVY favorites NY Yankees come into this series looking ready to take out anyone who gets in their way with their high potent lineup that is ready to explode on Twins pitchings. The Twins who have been on a roll coming into the series get in on a high but can they continue this play vs a team like the Yankees?
The Twins with one of the lowest salaries in baseball at just over $65 millions, ranking 24th in the majors, got here because they play the right way, so don't let this low budget team fool you they knows how to play gritty ball & how can you not root for Joe Mauer and his gamesmanship style of play?
These Twins know that they will need every trick in the book if they are to beat the Mighty New York Yankees, and they may have the grit to do it, they also have a pretty tight offense, but where is the pitching? For starters the Twins #1 gun on the mound this season was Scott Baker, at 15-9 he led the Twins in wins and is a guy who has now put together back to back GOOD seasons, he is ok, but after that where will it come from, Carl Pavano?. Pavano who in 3 seasons with the Yankees won only 9 games, was able to win 15 games this season and put in a full season for the Indians and now the Twins. He was able to pitch this season, and now the Twins need a win from him vs the Yankees, can you spell Kenny Roger? You know the Yankees will be looking to sock it too Pavano in the worse way, no way he wins if your the Yankees.
Unless your a diehard Yankee fan how can you not root for the these Twins, they are the super underdogs going up againts the Bigdogs from the Bronx, but these Yankees are ready, ready to take the next step deep into October and into November. The Yankees cannot lose but this is the postseason & anything can happen, but how are the Twins going to win in this series? again anything can happen, this is baseball and not the NBA.
The sport pages are already trying to put the pressure on the Yankees by making an issue out of the whole Jorge Posada not catching Burnett drama, so is Girardi doing the right thing?, I think so, but where Girardi can mess it all up is if he does not {at least} start Posada as the DH, this mean Girardi now has a decision to make, does he play Posada or Matsui? Still all of this may not even make any difference when is all said and done, the Yankee's offense will be to much in my eyes vs this Twins pitching's who really has no one to stop the Yankee bats, I don't see it, the Yankees would have to lay another egg if they are to lose in the 1st round again.
As for the rest of the playoffs, I like the Cards over the Dodgers, Phils over the Rockies,
Yankees over the Twins, and the Angels over the Sox's
My World Series pick?
The Cardinals over the Yanks.
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20 comments:
Greetings from Montreal. I loved what I saw from the Yankees last night, they did what they had to now they just have to keep it going tomorrow. I think too much is being made of the whole Posada/Burnett thing. Yes, the Twins are scrappy and when the Metrodome is rocking it is probably the most intimidating home field in all of baseball but I just can't see the Yanks losing 3 of the next 4 to the Twins. Your right, its hard not to root for the Twins, I mean whats not to admire about that team? Its about 11:50 PM for this Cinderella team, midnight is creeping up on them.
I have no idea what to make of the Anaheim/Boston series, the Sox have the Angels number just like the Angels have the Yanks number. I actually like the Sox in this one.
The NL series are already 2 games in but I'll give you my original predictions, I think the the Rockies can knock off the Phillies, the Rockies are a lot better than people think and Philly's bullpen leaves a lot to be desired. In the other series, its looking like we'll both be wrong because I had the Cards winning the NL pennant but after today's collapse they're down 2-0. The one thing that they have going for them is that they're going back home for 2 but beating the Dodgers 3 straight is going to be a tall order.
Hey welcome back, well the Twins just don't have the pitching's to keep the Yankee bats at bay, when they scored the 1st 2 runs I thought they might get one, but the Yankee offense was just to much, and will continue to be to much for these Twins, they just don't have a #1 so I don't see them pulling the upset, of course if they win tomorrow they get themselves right back in it setting up a Pavano vs the Yankees confrontation and that alone, in the Dome, sets up an interesting scenario.
About the Cardinals vs Dodgers series, I really wanted to say that whoever wins that series is going to win the NL, but after giving up that game with the Holliday blunder, it looks like the Dodgers may be the ones.
I can see the Rockies take out the Phils just because as you said, the Phillie's bullpen, but I just think the Phillie's offense, and their scrappy play will be what pushes them over, they have a lot of clutch hitters.
All I'm gonna say it's about time.
That's all you got to say? With the amount of baggage you have written it sounds like you are eating shit by not saying much. I'm just saying. You have to be able to take it the way you dish it.
What is there to say? the Yankees won, A-ROD had a big CLUTCH hit, and it's about time.
Wow, way to own up to your shit talking.
I guess, "What is there to say?" is a good response when you can't really say anything.
ARod has single handedly provided the offense to tie and win our two playoff games.
Guess we were WAY off with the Cardinals. Goes to show that the playoffs are a total crap shoot. I've said it before and I'll say it again the NL is AAAA baseball, I mean Vicente Padilla?!?!?! Really? That guy couldn't do anything when he was in Texas and he goes to St. Louis and he's the man. Unreal.
As for the ARod thing, Freddie is right. Its about freakin' time, I'm just hoping that he can keep this going as the pressure mounts.
Yea I was going to write last night right after the Cardinals got eliminated to say the so much for my WS pick as well, I mean someone had to lose and to me the winner from this series was going to represent the NL the WS, but if you want to say that the NL is AAA just because Vicente Padilla beat the Cardinals to finish off the sweep go ahead, Padilla yea he is nothing to write about but that could had been anyone, I mean the Cards just simply let the pressure get to them after the Holliday blunder in game 2 that blew their chances to get back in the series, if Padilla was to start game 1 believe me the results would had not been the same, he threw strikes to a team that could not handle the pressure but this is a very strong Dodger team.
Like you said the playoffs are a crap shoot, but to say that the Cardinals or only NL teams are AAA material is straight up wrong, I mean what about the AAA pitchers the Yankees feasted on during the regular season, (at one time for a good month) it's AAA across the board especailly in the AL (if you ask me) where AL teams pound weak pitchers on a nightly basis with their inflated offense.
You can't say that only the NL is AAA, especially during the playoffs because none of these teams are AAA material.
The Yankees should finish off the Twins today, but maybe the Twins win one game at least, but it don't matter, they lost this series on Friday on that bases loaded no outs situation right there, I mean the ump blew a blatant call but still no out, no runs? that was all she wrote for the Twins, if they were going to make this a series that was their chance. Today the Yankees should crush Pavano for all the bad years he provided them, like here's to you and for all you did for us, YOU BUM! That's the way I see it happening.
Freddie, can you really pick out 3 teams in the NL that if you were to put them in the AL right now they would do well? The Dodgers, maybe the Phillies. I'm sorry man, its an inferior product compared to AL ball. I'm not saying that all AL teams are great but the overall league is better.
Anyways, how about the Angels? Wow, I did not see a sweep coming, especailly with Paplebon giving it up. The Angels are plain scary right now.
So the Phillies would not win in the AL? come on dude the AL had 3 teams just like in the NL who can contend in either league, the Twins are a solid team but they are not the Angels, the Phillies have a tremendous offense and good starting pitching, yes their bullpen is not like last year and that's all because of Lidge, but they are just as good as the Angels as a team in whole.
Boston got swept and although I had picked the Angels to advance I didn't think they would have gotten swept, but like I said the Sox had a lot of problems going into the playoffs and so they lost in this fashion.
My bad, you did say the Dodgers and maybe the Phillies, but the Cards are also a solid team in whole.
Hey Ray, you went about the argument all wrong. What you should have said is, "Put the Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals or the Rockies in the AL East for 162 games and let's see what happens."
Same results. The Yanks and Sux on top.
Freddy, it's hard to come back here and re-read what you wrote about the Yankees feisting on AAA pitching, but I have to.
First things first, Every team faces the same pitching the Yanks do.
Second thing, it is common knowlege that you can add a half to 3/4 of a run to an ERA of a pitcher coming from the NL to the AL.
A pitcher coming from the NL to the AL just got promoted and you can add a half run to 3/4 of a run to their ERA.
ONLY THE MOST ELITE PITCHERS ARE EXCLUDED TO THIS TRUTH.
Let me give you an example dear to your heart.
Johan Santana posted his lowest ERA last year (his first yr with the Mets). It would have been much lower if the runners he left on were not allowed to score by his relief when he was taken out of a game prematurely. Johan Santana, who played hurt this year posted a VERY GOOD 3.13 ERA.
Imagine that. Playing injured, getting no run support AND that horrific, worst-of-his-career-outing that he had vs. the Yanks and he still puts those numbers up.
What was it, like 9 ER in 3 innings. I'm sure that his ERA jumped almost a point on that outing alone. Exclude that and he might have lowered his ERA to even better than his first year with the Mets. HURT.
We are not talking out of our ass Freddy. This is only one example I picked which you could relate to.
You see how I use example to back up what I'm saying? It gives credibility to what I write.
You however will write something as fact with nothing to back it up.
I know you think I go nuts here but it's only because you don't back up most of what you say with evidence. You think that because you witnessed something or you think something that it is the truth. That's probably me and Ray's biggest problem.
Danny Boy, personally I prefer not get into anymore debates or discussions with you because I have learned that it is only your way, and that my way is just the stupid way.
I would much rather have a debate with you on a one on one basis then writing stuff up here where I know my writing skills are lacking. But unfortunately I am at work today on a slow Columbus Day special & I have a lot of time on my hands.
But why do I have to provide writing facts? Why can’t you simply take whatever I have to say for what it is {which is simply just an opinion} and move on with no harm to the soul, but really what kind of facts are these you just provided? Right off your head?
I mean you just provided facts about the ERA being lower for a pitcher who goes to the NL from the AL right off you head, this is similar to the kind of facts I been providing all along{ right of my head}, and yes it is common knowledge that the ERA are lowered in the NL then in the AL, it is also common knowledge that the reason that the Era’s are lowered in the NL is simply because the NL has no DH, oh but don’t mention anything about the DH in the AL, the AL is simply superior to the NL because it just is.
It’s kind of like saying that if you took the Yankees & the Sux's and put them in the NL and assuming that they will still be 1 & 2 when the season is over, without giving it any thought that they will not be able to use the DH to their advantage, it's just a different kind of game, yea a more technical game if you may, manager’s have to manage more and be a step ahead, well unless your team is like the Phillies where you can pretty much play AL ball and wait for the long ball, but hey they still play an agressive game.
Again there is a lot I like to say, but I prefer to do it on a one on one basis, plus you may be a little high right now after that sweep and A-ROD going deep again, so there is no way I am going to spoil you day, I will just let you have it your way cause you deserve it.
"But why do I have to provide writing facts? Why can’t you simply take whatever I have to say for what it is {which is simply just an opinion} and move on with no harm to the soul, but really what kind of facts are these you just provided?"
I'm sorry?
"Right off your head? I mean you just provided facts about the ERA being lower for a pitcher who goes to the NL from the AL right off you head,"
That wasn't off the top of my head! I gave you an example that is a FACT. I gacve you Johan's ERA this year. I gave you Johan because he's your number 1.
Johan's ERA last year (his first year w/the Mets) was 2.53, the lowest in his GREAT career. That isn't off the top of my head.
"this is similar to the kind of facts I been providing all along{ right of my head},"
Say what? When have you ever provided a number for anything? I'm still waiting for how you absolutely know that the Yankees are the most hated team. If you can prove it I'll believe you because for everyone of you that hates them, I can count two that love them. That is of course not a fact.
and yes it is common knowledge that the ERA are lowered in the NL then in the AL, it is also common knowledge that the reason that the Era’s are lowered in the NL is simply because the NL has no DH,"
Oh, I didn't realize that all DH's were ball crushers and that they are the only person in the AL lineup that can raise a pitcher's ERA. How about I counter your DH argument by telling you that the NL has a number eight hitter and two number nine hitters. That's why (based solely on opinion) a pitcher in the NL fares better. Another reason why the pitcher batting is a joke.
I don't go to the ballpark to watch Albert Pujols pitch so why should I come to see Johan bat?
"oh but don’t mention anything about the DH in the AL, the AL is simply superior to the NL because it just is."
I would never say superios in the negative connotation that you just made. I would say better.
"It’s kind of like saying that if you took the Yankees & the Sux's and put them in the NL and assuming that they will still be 1 & 2 when the season is over, without giving it any thought that they will not be able to use the DH to their advantage,"
It is exactly what I'm saying. We'd fucking crush the NL east. Are you joking? You think that Matsui makes us so much "superior" than the NL?
cont....
It's just a different kind of game, yea a more technical game if you may, manager’s have to manage more and be a step ahead, well unless your team is like the Phillies where you can pretty much play AL ball and wait for the long ball, but hey they still play an agressive game."
That's such a ridiculous argument. You are basically saying that the HR is something that can be hit on a whim and that it's detrimental to your small ball team. Your team can still prevent us from hitting that HR right?
It reminds me of that argument two years ago when the Patriots were on their historical undefeated run. People were saying that they were running up the score and asking if that was right. The answer is, YES. If you don't like them running up the score then fucking stop them. Pop in the mouth and stop your bitching. If they beat you 56-10, then it was your fault for not stopping them. They aren't there for charity. Why should they stop working on scoring points? What are they there for?
"Again there is a lot I like to say, but I prefer to do it on a one on one basis, plus you may be a little high right now after that sweep and A-ROD going deep again, so there is no way I am going to spoil you day, I will just let you have it your way cause you deserve it."
You could never spoil my day. You make it every time you reply.
The Yankees and Arod took care of business. We are in this for a reason and one reason only. We want the ring. This next series is going to be hellacious. Either way, if you are a baseball fan, you will see everything that baseball has to offer in this series. The five tools at their best.
Hitters hitting for power
Hitters hitting for average (smart players working the count)
Great Fielding
Arm's througout the diamond and outfield to include pitching and
of course speed (lots of it).
Enjoy.
Hey I will enjoy the series between the Angels & Yanks, I'm just hoping that speed beats power.
Good luck!
I'm glad that you approve of the Yanks speed. They need to bring both. Way to root for that team 3000 miles away.
Now you didn't expect me to root for the guys from the Bronx did you?
Remember that article I posted?
Yeah, you are right, I shouln't expect much from you.
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