Twins Lineup for their Home Opener:

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer 1B

Justin Morneau DH

Josh Willingham LF

Ryan Doumit C

Danny Valencia 3B

Trevor Plouffe RF

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Nick Blackburn

Small Sample sizes, but Mauer has been terrible against Angels Starter C.J. Wilson and Willingham has been pretty good. I hope it doesn't take them until the 8th inning this time to start scoring runs.

Plouffe 3-4 with a HR.

Beauty of baseball... 5 runs against Arrieta, Hunter, Hammel...

Assumption is they won't be able to hit Wilson, Weaver and Haren... But you never know... could score 5-6 a game!

Gotta love it!

Anything can happen - this is Wilson's first start of the year, new catcher for him, new team playing defense behind him. Gardy's money quote from the MLB.com game preview talks about how the ball comes out of Blackburn's hand better than anyone on the staff this spring. Go Twins!

Let's not forget, that the Royals took 2 out of 3 at the Angels' home. The Twins should at least keep up pace there

3 out of the top 4 hitters lefties against a very good left-handed pitcher. Morneau should be batting 6th (and generally not playing at all against lefties).

3 out of the top 4 hitters lefties against a very good left-handed pitcher. Morneau should be batting 6th (and generally not playing at all against lefties).[/QUOTE]

 

That isnt even close to being true. In 2010, he OPS'ed .950+ against LHP. In 2009, he was close to .850. Obviously throwing 2011 out. If anything, say that he is 2-12 against Wilson (although one of the 2 hits was a HR).

I would have gone with Mauer behind the plate. Scioscia is aggressive on the bases. I also would have benched Doumit for the game for failing to move Willingham over to 3rd base with no outs in the 8th inning yesterday. Burroughs or Hughes could play 1B against the lefty or DH with Morneau at 1B. His head might survive a game in the field.

 

Or maybe this is the perfect lineup for today and I'm just gonna sit back and watch it with full faith.

I'm actually excited to see how Blackburn will fair today. I probably have the most confidence in him over anyone else for the start of this year

Does anyone know what that Video presentation was about????

I would have gone with Mauer behind the plate. Scioscia is aggressive on the bases. I also would have benched Doumit for the game for failing to move Willingham over to 3rd base with no outs in the 8th inning yesterday. Burroughs or Hughes could play 1B against the lefty or DH with Morneau at 1B. His head might survive a game in the field.

 

Or maybe this is the perfect lineup for today and I'm just gonna sit back and watch it with full faith.

I actually have been pretty impressed with Doumit's arm. We may be surprised with him throwing out runners this year. The rest of his defense has been about as good as I expected...

Poll Question? Could the members of the 2002 team, retired and all, with Radke pitching beat today's team with Blackburn pitching?

Ominous start by Blackburn

Ugh I think I jinxed him

RBI single for Hunter....

Quit walking people!!! Have we walked someone this year, and not seen them come around to score? Just terrible

Quit walking people!!! Have we walked someone this year, and not seen them come around to score? Just terrible

Then people will cry about "Pitch to Contact."

Double for Abreu to bring in another run.. 2-0.. There they go giving up runs early again!

Missing bats is a good way to avoid walks.

Missing bats is a good way to avoid walks.

If that is what you expect from Blackburn you haven't been paying much attention.

If that is what you expect from Blackburn you haven't been paying much attention.

I was not referring to Blackburn.

Poll Question? Could the members of the 2002 team, retired and all, with Radke pitching beat today's team with Blackburn pitching?

I think David Ortiz would have a monster game.

Another lively game thread here...

How long before Willingham claims the cleanup spot?

Sano has 2 HRs for Beloit today

 

3 hits so far this year.

 

Slam

3R HR

2R HR

Homer #2 for Willingham!

Nice bomb there by Willingham. Target Field and cold weather seem fine with him!

nice quick inning from Blackburn - that's good news for him

What is the score? Yahoo says that Carroll scored on a wild pitch in the 3rd, meaning it's 2-2, but no one else agrees.