Well the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox are tied at seasons end, and therefore play today at 6:35pm cdt in Chicago to determine the winner of the American League Central Division. The Sox place their faith in starting pitcher John Danks (11-9, 3.47 era) who is pitching on three days rest. He did only throw 80 pitches in his last outing against the Cleveland Indians. Meanwhile, the Twins will send Nick Blackburn (11-10, 4.14) to the hill.
Let me start by saying that I think Ron Gardenhire is one of the best managers in the game of baseball. I love what he has done for the Twins. With that said, I wonder about his decision to pitch Blackburn instead of Francisco Liriano. I realize that Liriano would be pitching on three days rest and that he got lit up by the Kansas City Royals in his last start as can be seen from his game line, but he only threw 85 pitches:
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | Season ERA | ||
| F. Liriano (L, 6-4) | 4.1 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3.91 | |
Liriano has the ability to completely dominate any team when he is at his best, and possibly gives the Twins the best chance to win tonight with their season on the line. That is why I propose this situation. Start Liriano, but have Blackburn ready to come out of the bullpen. If Liriano struggles anytime before the 6th inning, pull him immediately and put in Blackburn. These two pitchers should be able to get the Twins to the 7th inning upon which the rested bullpen can finish out the game.
By pitching today, Liriano would be able to start Sunday’s home game (game 3) on his normal schedule against the Tampa Bay Rays, assuming the Twins make the playoffs. Then the Twins could pitch Glen Perkins and Blackburn in game 4 on Monday in the same manner as Liriano and Blackburn tonight. Kevin Slowey and Scott Baker would start games 1 and 2 respectively.
These are just my thoughts on how the Twins could use their pitchers tonight and in the playoffs. Gardenhire has done a fantastic job as manager, so who am I to question how he runs his team.
GO TWINS!
Filed under: Baseball, Uncategorized Tagged: | AL Central Division, American League Central Division, Baseball, baseball playoffs, Chicago White Sox, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins, John Danks, Kevin Slowey, Minnesota Twins, Nick Blackburn, Ron Gardenhire, Scott Baker
With a 6-0 record the White Sox will be tough to beat. We have a sweep behind us but I double the Sox are too nervious about that. We have yet to winner in there stadium. How ironic if this is the first game they loose at home.
Ok, so I am watching the game right now, and I will tell you, if it weren’t for Wii Baseball, I would be totally lost!
GO TWINS!
First (and ever) baseball game I went to was the Twins vs. the Sox out in Chicago back in May, and pretty sure the Twins won that night something like 13-3. Let’s pull that off again!
John
Actually the Sox went 7-2 against the Twins at home before last nights game. Now make that 8-2.
Lissy
Just goes to show the importance of gaming systems. Maybe now you’re more of a fan than before. Hopefully you continue rooting for the Twins and not the Sox. I hope the Sox get destroyed in Tampa Bay. I know the mature thing to do would be to root for the Sox so that I could say the Twins got beat by the best team in baseball, but I really hate the Sox. Therefore, I will be rooting for anyone but them.
FYI – the score of the game you went to was 13-1.