How About a Pennant Race? Twins @ Tigers

[Thunderstruck84]

The Twins and Tigers open a 4 game set tonight in Detroit that will decide the AL Central.

The Twins are currently 2 games back, here are the pitching matchups:

Tuesday @ 12:05 ET
Blackburn (11-11 4.18) vs Porcello (14-9 4.14)

Tuesday @ 7:05 ET
Duensing (5-1 3.33) vs Verlander (17-9 3.41)

Wednesday @ 7:05 ET on ESPN
Pavano (13-11 4.86) vs Bonine (0-1 4.60)

Thursday @ 1:05 ET
Baker (14-9 4.48) vs Robertson (2-2 5.56)


The Twins lead the season series 9-5 and in order to have any chance they'll have to at least split which would give them the tie breaker (thank God they don't have the dumb coin flip tie breaker that screwed the Twins over last year) so should they end the season tied game 163 would be at the Metrodome next Tuesday.

Personally, I think for the Twins to have any shot they'll have to take 3 of 4 and end the series tied in the standings. The first two games will be crucial, Porcello and Verlander have been the Tigers horses along with Edwin Jackson and if the Twins can split those two or win both they've got a chance to steal the division against the Tigers shaky starters in the last two ballgames. Pavano has owned the Tigers and Baker has been the Twins best pitcher since the break.

[Thunderstruck84]

First game is postponed due to rain, will be made up tomorrow as part of a day/night doubleheader. Things will either be much clearer or much murkier 24 hours from now.

This likely means Joe "Baby Jesus" Mauer won't catch both games, luckily this is the AL so he can still DH.

[Gil Dobie]

It's a great day for a ball game; let's play two!
Ernie Banks

Twins vs Tigers doubleheader today

Blackburn(11-11) & Porcello(14-9) in the first game. Porcello is a little bit more consistant than Blackburn, Tigers win the first game

Duensing (5-1) vs Verlander (17-9) in game 2. Bright young rookie vs seasoned vet. Twins have hit Verlander pretty good, and Duensing has been solid. Going with the Twins in game 2.

[Thunderstruck84]

Strange sequence in the top of the 9th in a tie game: light hitting Alexi Casilla leads off with a double. Tolbert bunts him over to 3rd with 1 out.

Then it got wierd, watching on MLB.com game cast but I'm guessing they tried to squeeze bunt with Punto and he popped out to the pitcher who then doubled off Casilla at 3rd. Huge missed opportunity for the Twins.

[LakesBison]

PUNTO SUCKS!!

MAUER 0-4!!

why isnt NATHAN in !! its the SEASON ON THE LINE IN 9th!!

[LakesBison]

WHEW. SPAN !!

[BisonBacker]

PUNTO SUCKS!!

MAUER 0-4!!

why isnt NATHAN in !! its the SEASON ON THE LINE IN 9th!!
Because the Twins want to win the game that's why he's not in.

[LakesBison]

Span on 2nd. 10th innin no outs.

lets do this now!

[BisonBacker]

Twins up 2-1

[LakesBison]

mauer 0-5??

[BisonBacker]

Twins up 3-1

[Thunderstruck84]

Joe Nathan coming in for the biggest save of the year to this point.

EDIT: WOW, HR Granderson right away. Nathan is turning into Eddie Guardado.

[BisonBacker]

PUNTO SUCKS!!

MAUER 0-4!!

why isnt NATHAN in !! its the SEASON ON THE LINE IN 9th!!

Now you know why I say they didn't put in Nathan because they want to win. Nathan gives up a HR on his first batter. Nathan is over rated.

[LakesBison]

JOE FREAKIN NATHAN. 3-2 tigers hit homerun. HOLD ON!!

[BisonBacker]

No it's 3-2 Twins are ahead.

[Thunderstruck84]

Whew! Twins win 3-2... Nathan with the white knuckle save.

[gmoney55]

Let's Go Twins! I watched most of these guys come up in Rochester.

[ISUMatt]

from a Whitye SOx fan...Go Twins..we will SWEEP Detroit this weekend!!

[LakesBison]

HOLLA!!! CLINCH THIS !! SWEEP THIS SERIES!!

[Thunderstruck84]

The pressure has to be squarely on the Tigers in tonight's game. The have their ace on the hill and should they lose they'll be dead even with the Twins in the standings with two iffy starters going for them Wednesday and Thursday.

[NHwildEcat]

GO TWINS!!!

[FargoBison]

Now you know why I say they didn't put in Nathan because they want to win. Nathan gives up a HR on his first batter. Nathan is over rated.

Might be the most idiotic thing I have ever read.

Nathan's 2009 season


ERA SV IP SO WHIP
2.25 45 63 83 .95

[BisonBacker]

Might be the most idiotic thing I have ever read.

Nathan's 2009 season


ERA SV SO WHIP
2.25 45 83 0.95

Your opinion but look at the second half of this season. He's not the same relief pitcher he was just a year or two ago. Every time he comes into the game he's far from lights out.

[FargoBison]

Your opinion but look at the second half of this season. He's not the same relief pitcher he was just a year or two ago. Every time he comes into the game he's far from lights out.

Opposing teams are hitting .194 in the second half against him, he has had a few bad games but is by no means falling apart.

Here is his second half....


ERA SV IP SO
3.14 21 28.2 40

He was absolutely lights out in the first half of the season which probably makes his second half seem worse than it really is.

Sure he gave up a homer today but he battled right back and sent the heart of their lineup down in order.

[BisonBacker]

This second half of this season he's been shaky in many outings. Look at the all star game to where he pitched the 8th inning. He wasn't solid in that game either granted it's the all star game. Not like he's going up against a bunch of sluff's but I still maintain he's not the same pitcher he was in the last couple of years. I don't have the confidence in him I did last year or the year before.

[FargoBison]

This second half of this season he's been shaky in many outings. Look at the all star game to where he pitched the 8th inning. He wasn't solid in that game either granted it's the all star game. Not like he's going up against a bunch of sluff's but I still maintain he's not the same pitcher he was in the last couple of years. I don't have the confidence in him I did last year or the year before.

I'm just saying he gets the job done, it might not always be pretty, but he is 9/10 in September. Unless something crazy happens and he is blowing saves regularly, I have complete and total confidence in him.

[LakesBison]

jOE NATHAN AFTER GAME "I WASNT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE MOUND TODAY"

WHAT??? I DONT WANNA HEAR THAT OUTTA MY CLOSER, GRRR

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers up 3-0, bottom of the 2nd

[Ivytalk]

DH split, still 2-game lead for Detroit!

[TheValleyRaider]

Looks like two great games today

Detroit can still clinch by sweeping the next two

Very interested to see how this one plays out xnodx

[Gil Dobie]

Tigers used the 2 currently hottest pitchers yesterday. Should be interesting the next couple days.

[AshevilleApp2]

Tonight is big. The pitching match-up favors the Twins. I'd be happy with a split in the series. I'd be ecstatic with a clinch.

[Thunderstruck84]

Pavano has thrown incredibly well against the Tigers this year, they're due against him. Pressure back on the Twins tonight and tomorrow afternoon, two non-exaggerated must-win games (not like the NY Post beat writers declaring the Yankees 3rd game of the season a must win).

[ISUMatt]

White Sox @ Tigers this weekend

Friday: Jake Peavy
Saturday: Freddy Garcia
Sunday: John Danks

Hope the Tigers are ready!!
Sox rested all starters vs Cleveland and have an off day Thursday so they will be ready to go Friday!

[Thunderstruck84]

White Sox @ Tigers this weekend

Friday: Jake Peavy
Saturday: Freddy Garcia
Sunday: John Danks

Hope the Tigers are ready!!
Sox rested all starters vs Cleveland and have an off day Thursday so they will be ready to go Friday!
Go White Sox! xthumbsupx

[AshevilleApp2]

White Sox @ Tigers this weekend

Friday: Jake Peavy
Saturday: Freddy Garcia
Sunday: John Danks

Hope the Tigers are ready!!
Sox rested all starters vs Cleveland and have an off day Thursday so they will be ready to go Friday!

Scary thought. Hopefully it won't matter.

[Ivytalk]

Looks like the Twins are done.

[Thunderstruck84]

Looks like the Twins are done.
I'd have to agree. Even if the Twins win today, they're going to be 2 out and they have to face Zack Greinke on Saturday so the Tigers will likely have to get swept by Chicago for the Twins to come back.

Pretty doubtful at this point. xsmhx

[AshevilleApp2]

Looks like the Twins day so far. They're up 4-1 going into the bottom of the fifth.

[Thunderstruck84]

Twins win 8-3. 2 games back going into the weekend. Consider me a White Sox fan for the next 3 days.

[AshevilleApp2]

Go K.C. !!

[Gil Dobie]

Go Greinke xthumbsupx

[NHwildEcat]

Let's go Twins!!

[Thunderstruck84]

Let's go White Sox! *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*

[ISUMatt]

4-0 Sox

[Thunderstruck84]

White Sox win 5-1. Both the Twins and Tigers control their own destiny as they're now tied atop the AL Cental, big games tomorrow. Play-in game on Tuesday looming.

[ISUMatt]

Verlander going on 3 days rest after thorwing 130+ pitches in his last start

[UMass922]

GO WHITE SOX!!

GO TWINS!!!!

[93henfan]

So will the one game playoff be televised nationally tomorrow? (yes, I realize the Twins haven't won yet, but they're up big late)

[mango43]

So will the one game playoff be televised nationally tomorrow? (yes, I realize the Twins haven't won yet, but they're up big late)

The game is on Tuesday (There is a TINY Monday Night Football game that is at the dome tomorrow) but I believe it will be televised nationally. IIRC, last year's game against the White Sox and Twins was nationally televised.

[93henfan]

The game is on Tuesday (There is a TINY Monday Night Football game that is at the dome tomorrow) but I believe it will be televised nationally. IIRC, last year's game against the White Sox and Twins was nationally televised.

Thanks. Go Packers. :p

[AshevilleApp2]

Aargh! xlolx Great comeback by the Twins. The Tigers just can't seem to finish the regular season strong. And unlike 2006, they don't have the Wildcard to fall back on.

[onbison09]

So will the one game playoff be televised nationally tomorrow? (yes, I realize the Twins haven't won yet, but they're up big late)

TBS at 4

[AshevilleApp2]

TBS at 4

5:00 Eastern

Bier Garden at 4:30.

[Gil Dobie]

Should I stay or should I go to the game xoopsx

[AshevilleApp2]

Should I stay or should I go to the game xoopsx

Go. There needs to be at least on Tiger fan there!

[Gil Dobie]

Go. There needs to be at least on Tiger fan there!

My daughters are on board, we are searching for tickets as I type. They are Twins fans though xoopsx

[Gil Dobie]

My daughters are on board, we are searching for tickets as I type. They are Twins fans though xoopsx

Got our tickets xthumbsupx

[AshevilleApp2]

Got our tickets xthumbsupx

xthumbsupx Enjoy the game. Let's hope for the best.

[TheValleyRaider]

xthumbsupx Enjoy the game. Let's hope for the best.

Extra innings where everyone pitches prior to Wednesday's Game 1 xwhistlex xsmiley_wix

[Thunderstruck84]

Extra innings where everyone pitches prior to Wednesday's Game 1 xwhistlex xsmiley_wix
Don't the Yankees want to give CC an extra day's rest and start on Thursday? xsmiley_wix

[NHwildEcat]

Don't the Yankees want to give CC an extra day's rest and start on Thursday? xsmiley_wix

No, they need to make sure they can get all they can out of him...he has been known to breakdown at the end of a long season.

[Ivytalk]

Will Cabrera be sobered up by tomorrow?xrolleyesxxnonono2x

[TheValleyRaider]

No, they need to make sure they can get all they can out of him...he has been known to breakdown at the end of a long season.

Yeah, after desperate teams have had him pitch complete games on 3 days rest to barely clinch their playoff spots

CC last pitched on Friday, and will be just fine to go on Wednesday in Game 1 xcoolx

[Thunderstruck84]

Game 163 just got underway. 0-0 heading into the 2nd inning.

The key for the Twins is to score first and keep the crowd going. Baker needs to throw strikes down in the zone and keep his pitch count low. No free passes, make the Tigers string together 3 hits to score a run instead of 1 big one.

[Thunderstruck84]

Tigers up 3-0. Middle 3rd, 2 run HR by Cabrera. Not surprising, Baker has been pitching up in the zone and getting behind hitters, only a matter of time before he got burned.

Did anyone see the Polanco AB? On gamecast it looked like the Twins tried to turn two to get out of the inning but only got a 4-6-3 putout at first base, and Granderson was safe at 2nd somehow. I really hope that wasn't a 3 run screwup.

[WWII]

Is this game on TV?

[Thunderstruck84]

Is this game on TV?
Yeah, TBS I believe.

[Ivytalk]

Twins up 4-3 in 7th.

[TheValleyRaider]

Pretty good game so far xnodx

[DSUrocks07]

Mags just tied it with a solo HR for the Tigers

4-4 Top 8th

[Thunderstruck84]

Magglio Ordonez homers off of Guerrier to lead off the 8th. Tie Game.

Should've Gardy brought in Nathan for a 6 out save? I don't think so but he'll be second guessed like crazy if the Twins don't win this one.

[TheValleyRaider]

Magglio Ordonez homers off of Guerrier to lead off the 8th. Tie Game.

Should've Gardy brought in Nathan for a 6 out save? I don't think so but he'll be second guessed like crazy if the Twins don't win this one.

If Nathan is the best pitcher left in your bullpen (and he is), then bringing him into the game is the right decision xtwocentsx

Play like there's no tomorrow xnodx

[LacesOut]

Just got home from the gym.

Sitting down now with some dinner and I put the game on!

Man on 1st, no outs, bottom of 9th.

[TheValleyRaider]

Huge play by Inge to save the run

Free baseball! :)

[TheValleyRaider]

Inge again, with the RBI double, 5-4 Detroit!

Tigers, 3 outs away

[LacesOut]

Is all this drama for the chance to get swept by the Yankees??! haha

[LacesOut]

Oh my! A no out triple!!

[LacesOut]

Tied up again! 5-5.

[LacesOut]

HOLY HELLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooooooooh did his hand beat the tag???

[TheValleyRaider]

TWINS WIN! xsmileyclapx xsmileyclapx

See you in NY ;)

[Bronco]

Great Game ....now go beat the yanks

[Thunderstruck84]

Wow, what a game!

Rayburn makes up for a fielding gaffe by throwing out the game winning run at the plate.

Casilla makes up for a baserunning gaffe by getting the game winning hit.

Gardenhire chooses to let Gomez hit with the game winning run on 2nd and 2 outs in the ninth to see him ground out, then Gomez ends up scoring the game winning run.

Joe Nathan pitches with a horseshoe in his pocket to get out of a runner on 3rd and no outs scenario in the 9th inning.

Bobby Keppel strikes out Gerald Laird with the bags full and a full count in the top of the 12th of a tie game.

Twins come back to score the game tying run in the 10th against the Tiger's closer when their season looked dead in the water.

Brandon Inge comes through with a huge double to put the Tigers ahead in the 10th.

Btw, the Tigers have a legitimate beef that Inge was hit by a pitch in the 12th that was ruled a ball but who knows if it even would've made a difference.

What an amazing game, it's a shame someone had to lose. The Twins now go to Yankee Stadium with a tired bullpen and a tired lineup.

[NHwildEcat]

Hell of a game...hats off to both clubs. Much luck to the Twins in the ALDS.

[DSUrocks07]

Wow, what a game!

Rayburn makes up for a fielding gaffe by throwing out the game winning run at the plate.

Casilla makes up for a baserunning gaffe by getting the game winning hit.

Gardenhire chooses to let Gomez hit with the game winning run on 2nd and 2 outs in the ninth to see him ground out, then Gomez ends up scoring the game winning run.

Joe Nathan pitches with a horseshoe in his pocket to get out of a runner on 3rd and no outs scenario in the 9th inning.

Bobby Keppel strikes out Gerald Laird with the bags full and a full count in the top of the 12th of a tie game.

Twins come back to score the game tying run in the 10th against the Tiger's closer when their season looked dead in the water.

Brandon Inge comes through with a huge double to put the Tigers ahead in the 10th.

Btw, the Tigers have a legitimate beef that Inge was hit by a pitch in the 12th that was ruled a ball but who knows if it even would've made a difference.

What an amazing game, it's a shame someone had to lose. The Twins now go to Yankee Stadium with a tired bullpen and a tired lineup.

Bases were loaded at the time. So it would (should) of been 6-5 Detroit.

Either way, it was an Amazing game with a capital "A"

[Gil Dobie]

Just got back. Epic game, pretty much stood from the 6th inning on. It will probably be a couple days before I can hear or talk again. The Twins are making a big mistake moving to an outdoor stadium. It will take away a huge homefield advantage that helped them win 2 World Series.

On a sad note an elderly guy in the row behind us had to be carried out on a stretcher, just too much excitement.

[AshevilleApp2]

Congratulations Twins. xsmhx

Now go ahead and beat the Yankees. xnodx

[Gil Dobie]

Now that the Tigers are out, it's anybody but the Roid Sox xlolx

[89Hen]

Congrats Twinkies. M&M this morning were talking about IF (a huge if) the Twins were to beat the Yankees in the first series, would it be the greatest upset in pro sports history. xeyebrowx I laugh at that question. If the Twins beat the Yankees and then lose the next round or even the WS, nobody but Twins and Yankees fans will remember this series. The '69 Mets, the Jets Super Bowl, etc... this isn't even close IMO.

[Thunderstruck84]

Congrats Twinkies. M&M this morning were talking about IF (a huge if) the Twins were to beat the Yankees in the first series, would it be the greatest upset in pro sports history. xeyebrowx I laugh at that question. If the Twins beat the Yankees and then lose the next round or even the WS, nobody but Twins and Yankees fans will remember this series. The '69 Mets, the Jets Super Bowl, etc... this isn't even close IMO.
It's tough to call any baseball series a huge upset, especially in a short series. The Twins have the capability of having 3 shut down starts out of their rotation in 5 games and don't forget that the Twins offense is pretty good offense also (4th in the AL in runs while averaging 6+ runs per game since July 1st) and they've won 17 of their last 21 games. They can score with the Yankees in a short series.

I'd say it's unlikely that the Twins beat the Yankees but I agree, to call it the biggest upset in pro sports history is laughable.

[darell1976]

Congrats Twinkies. M&M this morning were talking about IF (a huge if) the Twins were to beat the Yankees in the first series, would it be the greatest upset in pro sports history. xeyebrowx I laugh at that question. If the Twins beat the Yankees and then lose the next round or even the WS, nobody but Twins and Yankees fans will remember this series. The '69 Mets, the Jets Super Bowl, etc... this isn't even close IMO.

Anybody beating the Yankees is a great upset in the eyes of sports reporters based in NY. Cleveland beat the Yankees a few times and even though Cleveland was the better team they say its an upset. Whatever. I hope the Twins spank the Yanks. If baseball had a salary cap you wouldn't see the Yanks in the playoffs...EVER.

[AshevilleApp2]

It's tough to call any baseball series a huge upset, especially in a short series. The Twins have the capability of having 3 shut down starts out of their rotation in 5 games and don't forget that the Twins offense is pretty good offense also (4th in the AL in runs while averaging 6+ runs per game since July 1st) and they've won 17 of their last 21 games. They can score with the Yankees in a short series.

I'd say it's unlikely that the Twins beat the Yankees but I agree, to call it the biggest upset in pro sports history is laughable.

Agreed. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Twins win the series. They're playing great and riding an emotional high right now. Take one of two in NY and send it back to the dome.

[BisonBacker]

Might be the most idiotic thing I have ever read.

Nathan's 2009 season


ERA SV IP SO WHIP
2.25 45 63 83 .95

So do you still think that was an idiotic post??? Nathan's over rated. He lost that game for the Twins.

[Ivytalk]

So do you still think that was an idiotic post??? Nathan's over rated. He lost that game for the Twins.

The Brad Lidge of the AL?xrolleyesx