You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1890-Series-Preview-Twins-vs-Tigers-6-14-6-16

Lineups:

 

Twins:

 

Tigers:

In three games this season, Sanchez has held the Twins to an OPS of only .358.

 

Lends a new clarity to the term, 'dominate'.

 

The Twins need to sweep. They need to win this series. They can if they want too.

"Minnesota has not fared particularly well against their division rival this season, going 4-6 against them over their first ten matchups."

 

I would say a 4-6 record against Detroit is faring exceptionally well, especially because the Twins have gone 12-24 against the Tigers the past two seasons. The Tigers improved their team from last year (a team that made the World Series, no less), while the Twins have made moves preparing themselves for the future while putting their immediate chances for success in jeopardy.

 

While I certainly don't expect the Twins to go .500 against Detroit this season, winning 2/3 at home this weekend would be encouraging. The Twins rotation for this series is just what we would like it to be in order to take the series.

I guess you guys held the fort for me while I was gone, as the team went 3-3 in the past week.

I am sick of seeing Jamie Carroll batting first for the Twins. It's pretty obvious that at this stage of his career, Jamie shouldn't be playing every day and that is exacerbated by him batting in the #1 spot. Much like Gardy playing Nick Punto all the time, it is tough to find an alternative for the leadoff spot, but it's also tough to watch at-bats wasted on a 39-year old utility infielder.

I guess you guys held the fort for me while I was gone, as the team went 3-3 in the past week.

Welcome back Ashbury (no Haight).

It's true that Torii is a popular athlete and that he'll probably get a half dozen hits this weekend including Homer #300, but how in the world is he leading for an All-Star outfielder spot? His OPS is .745 and he is tied with Morneau at two homers.

I am sick of seeing Jamie Carroll batting first for the Twins. It's pretty obvious that at this stage of his career, Jamie shouldn't be playing every day and that is exacerbated by him batting in the #1 spot. Much like Gardy playing Nick Punto all the time, it is tough to find an alternative for the leadoff spot, but it's also tough to watch at-bats wasted on a 39-year old utility infielder.

 

None of the blame should be laid at the feet of Carroll, or Gardy. Ryan rolled the dice on one, and only one, leadoff option and he came up snake eyes. At this point, Mauer is the only legitimate alternative- all of the other alleged alternatives are fighting just to keep their averages above the Mendoza demarcation point.

had to say "wife beater"

None of the blame should be laid at the feet of Carroll, or Gardy. Ryan rolled the dice on one, and only one, leadoff option and he came up snake eyes.

 

Assuming you mean Hicks, I think the plan was that the backup CFer was also capable of handling the role of leadoff hitter, but he's on the DL.

 

I look at this roster and there is not a suitable leadoff guy, period. The best OBP guys are all plodders once on the basepaths, and everyone else is having trouble getting on base more than a .300 clip. The problem isn't a lack of leadoff guy, per se, it's a lack of production period.

Assuming you mean Hicks, I think the plan was that the backup CFer was also capable of handling the role of leadoff hitter, but he's on the DL.

 

I look at this roster and there is not a suitable leadoff guy, period. The best OBP guys are all plodders once on the basepaths, and everyone else is having trouble getting on base more than a .300 clip. The problem isn't a lack of leadoff guy, per se, it's a lack of production period.

 

Seriously, that was "the plan?"

 

Mastroianni career slash line batting leadoff: .167/.231/.292

Mastroianni career slash line batting 2-hole: .210/.296/.258

 

You trade away all your "non-plodders", except relying on a career 4th OFer as your back-up plan to pick up your AA prospect when he falters, this is what you're left with.

 

Can we say in unison: "Not Ready for Prime Time."

Seriously, that was "the plan?"

 

Mastroianni career slash line batting leadoff: .167/.231/.292

Mastroianni career slash line batting 2-hole: .210/.296/.258

 

You trade away all your "non-plodders", except relying on a career 4th OFer as your back-up plan to pick up your AA prospect when he falters, this is what you're left with.

 

Of course. This is how the new stadium will make us more competitive.

I guess you guys held the fort for me while I was gone, as the team went 3-3 in the past week.

 

Welcome back!!! How did it go?

Seriously, that was "the plan?"

 

Mastroianni career slash line batting leadoff: .167/.231/.292

Mastroianni career slash line batting 2-hole: .210/.296/.258

 

Mastrioanni has 100 combined career PAs in the 1/2 lineup spots.

 

The real question is whether Darin Mastroianni can play baseball at the Major League level, not whether his slash stats look good from the whopping 24 PAs he has received in the leadoff spot. That's five games, for crying out loud.

Twins are only 2 wild pitches away from a run.

Mastrioanni has 100 combined career PAs in the 1/2 lineup spots.

 

The real question is whether Darin Mastroianni can play baseball at the Major League level, not whether his slash stats look good from the whopping 24 PAs he has received in the leadoff spot. That's five games, for crying out loud.

 

Yes, all of 25 games played at the top of the order, yet more proof that there was no legitimate "plan" for having proven OBP producers at the top of the lineup. Everyone knew that Mastro is what he is, a margina, but very fast, 4th OF, ideal for pinch running and late inning defensive replacement- who has never shown he could be a starter, let alone, a top of the order on base machine, for any sustained period.

 

Again, Ryan rolled the dice on a guy jumping two levels who has struggled at each successive move up one level, with no legitimate proven starting-major-league-level backup option in CF.

Welcome back!!! How did it go?

 

Her knee surgery went OK - unable to repair the meniscus, but they took away the scraps that were causing her knee to lock up and she was walking pretty comfortably by the time I left.

 

I got to walk around a lot in SF, so as not to be underfoot too much, and the avatar today is a reminder of one of the neighborhoods I reached.

Meanwhile, there is a game going on, is there not? Four innings, hardly any hitting for either side - 5 Ks for Porcello, 1 K for Diamond - no surprise about Diamond, but that's kind of a lot for Porcello. Top of the order must be trying to tee off.

Arcia gets a double - nice to see some power on his return to the majors - even nicer if someone now drives him in.

Wonder if Drew Butera is gonna be called up this weekend as he just hit a 3run HR......can hear Ryan/gardy talk about how great he was hitting!!!1

You can not hope to stop teh Butera, you can only hope to contain him.

Of course. This is how the new stadium will make us more competitive.

 

That reminds me, who on the waiver wire looks interesting this week?

That reminds me, who on the waiver wire looks interesting this week?

Former Ranger Mark Hamburger has a 6.44ERA for St Paul Saints??

Her knee surgery went OK - unable to repair the meniscus, but they took away the scraps that were causing her knee to lock up and she was walking pretty comfortably by the time I left.

 

I got to walk around a lot in SF, so as not to be underfoot too much, and the avatar today is a reminder of one of the neighborhoods I reached.

 

I am glad that they made progress on the knee. Hopefully the meniscus can somehow get better.

 

SF is a fun place to visit. Too bad Olivia does not live there.

I am sick of seeing Jamie Carroll batting first for the Twins. It's pretty obvious that at this stage of his career, Jamie shouldn't be playing every day and that is exacerbated by him batting in the #1 spot. Much like Gardy playing Nick Punto all the time, it is tough to find an alternative for the leadoff spot, but it's also tough to watch at-bats wasted on a 39-year old utility infielder.

CMON, you cannot possibly NOT bat him leadoff. He fits every physical description of a leadoff hitter in the Baseball Managing For Idiots pamplet. Cant think someone from the MN Twins organization can think outside the box, can ya??

Diamond has 5 more pitches left as Gardy REFUSES to let him go farther

This is a terrible inning for the Twins. Two walks and a ball to right that looked catchable.

I am glad that they made progress on the knee. Hopefully the meniscus can somehow get better.

 

SF is a fun place to visit. Too bad Olivia does not live there.

 

Menisci and knees in general do not get better, unfortunately - ask Tony O. Risk of arthritis for her 20-30 years down the line. Hopefully some kind of medical breakthrough occurs in the meantime, though her surgeon did not know of something on the horizon.