Joe Nathan fantasy baseball owners have been frustrated all season long with the Minnesota Twins’ under use of their top-notch closer. It seems like Nathan doesn’t get as many opportunities to close out games when compared to other closers in the Central Division, partly because the Twins haven’t won as many games as the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, but also partly because the save situations haven’t come up. Joe Borowski of the Indians isn’t anywhere near the caliber of pitcher Joe Nathan is, but somehow he has managed to gather eight more saves on the year. Todd Jones of the Tigers is another shaky closer, with an ERA near five, but he too is ahead of Nathan in saves with 27. Even Bobby Jenks, the Chicago White Sox bullish save man has six more saves than Nathan, and the White Sox are behind the Twins in the standings. Nathan is an extremely valuable player to the Twins, but his value can unfortunately only be measured by how much the Twins can use him. Joe Nathan is a definite fan favorite and the HHH Metrodome goes crazy when he takes the mound. Nathan can definitely help sell Minnesota Twins Tickets as long as he is in the game doing his job. Let's go Twins!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Nathan’s ERA Great, But Closer Needs More Chances
Joe Nathan fantasy baseball owners have been frustrated all season long with the Minnesota Twins’ under use of their top-notch closer. It seems like Nathan doesn’t get as many opportunities to close out games when compared to other closers in the Central Division, partly because the Twins haven’t won as many games as the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians, but also partly because the save situations haven’t come up. Joe Borowski of the Indians isn’t anywhere near the caliber of pitcher Joe Nathan is, but somehow he has managed to gather eight more saves on the year. Todd Jones of the Tigers is another shaky closer, with an ERA near five, but he too is ahead of Nathan in saves with 27. Even Bobby Jenks, the Chicago White Sox bullish save man has six more saves than Nathan, and the White Sox are behind the Twins in the standings. Nathan is an extremely valuable player to the Twins, but his value can unfortunately only be measured by how much the Twins can use him. Joe Nathan is a definite fan favorite and the HHH Metrodome goes crazy when he takes the mound. Nathan can definitely help sell Minnesota Twins Tickets as long as he is in the game doing his job. Let's go Twins!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Twins Nine Back
The Pioneer Press put out a chart comparison of the Major League Baseball American League Central standings today vs the standings one year ago and the Twins are almost in the same catch-up boat they were in last year, but this year the competition is more fierce. Detroit is on top, Cleveland in second place and the Chicago White Sox in fourth and definitely not out of the hunt. To win the AL Central the Twins will need to create another last minute miracle like last year and to win a Wild Card will be just as difficult with four teams in the hunt. Come on Twins, pull it together and win a few games. Twins baseball fans will be keeping their eye on scores around the league to see if the Twins can gain any spots on the competition!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Twins vs. Athletics Game Review
The Minnesota Twins definitely looked like baseball superstars this weekend vs. the Oakland Athletics. Thursday night the Twins stomped the A’s winning 6 to 2. Pitcher Scott Baker had a strong outing in winning his fourth game this year and the boys played excellent offense as well. Michael Cuddyer, Jason Barlett, Luis Castillo, and Justin Morneau each had an RBI and Torii Hunter had two. Friday night, ace Twins pitcher Johan Santana took the mound and proved to all of the Metrodome fans why he’s an All-Star. Santana pitched seven shutout innings with a eight big strikeouts and a mere four hits. The Twins bats were armed and ready to support the star pitcher as the Twins pulled off a 5 to 3 victory.
Saturday was a close game and the Athletics were desperately hoping for a win, but Twins pitcher Carlos Silva was solid for over six innings as he held Oakland to three runs on just two hits. The Twins got just enough offensive strength from Michael Cuddyer, Jason Tyner and Joe Mauer who all batted in a total of four runs to win the game. Sunday was a real nail biter as the Athletics didn’t want to end the four game series with a Twins sweep. Mighty Mo’ (momentum) was definitely on the Twins side and they pulled off another 4 to 3 victory putting the Twins at a season-high six games above .500. Starting pitcher Boof Bonser had probably his best outing of the season allowing just three earned runs and struck out six Athletics batters. This Twins fan was a little nervous about Torii Hunter being out of the lineup due to a sore left hamstring, but Luis Castillo with his bum knee and all looked like he could play forever. He hit his second triple in just two days and came around to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Morneau came through for the Twins ballclub as well when he pummeled his 25th home run of the season 406 feet into the upper deck.
Next up is the dangerous Detroit Tigers. The Detroit series will really show Minnesota what the Twins are made of. Let’s hope the momentum of sweeping the Athletics will allow the Twins to win the Detroit series at the Metrodome. Twins Tickets are hot right now so get out and see a game!
Saturday was a close game and the Athletics were desperately hoping for a win, but Twins pitcher Carlos Silva was solid for over six innings as he held Oakland to three runs on just two hits. The Twins got just enough offensive strength from Michael Cuddyer, Jason Tyner and Joe Mauer who all batted in a total of four runs to win the game. Sunday was a real nail biter as the Athletics didn’t want to end the four game series with a Twins sweep. Mighty Mo’ (momentum) was definitely on the Twins side and they pulled off another 4 to 3 victory putting the Twins at a season-high six games above .500. Starting pitcher Boof Bonser had probably his best outing of the season allowing just three earned runs and struck out six Athletics batters. This Twins fan was a little nervous about Torii Hunter being out of the lineup due to a sore left hamstring, but Luis Castillo with his bum knee and all looked like he could play forever. He hit his second triple in just two days and came around to score the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Morneau came through for the Twins ballclub as well when he pummeled his 25th home run of the season 406 feet into the upper deck.
Next up is the dangerous Detroit Tigers. The Detroit series will really show Minnesota what the Twins are made of. Let’s hope the momentum of sweeping the Athletics will allow the Twins to win the Detroit series at the Metrodome. Twins Tickets are hot right now so get out and see a game!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Twins in the All-Star game
The All-Star game was a fine midsummer outlet for our beloved Minnesota Twins baseball stars. Twins Pitcher Johan Santana pitched a perfect 1,2,3 seventh inning when he struck out Carlos Lee swinging, caught Alfonso Soriano looking on a third strike and got Jose Reyes to ground out. Santana threw ten pitches, nine of them for strikes. Johan Santana definitely showed off his dominance as a pitcher and made Minnesota Twins fans proud. Santana felt good about his performance as well and said, "It felt good. It's always good to have an opportunity to come in and perform and help out the team. I knew that I would pitch just the one inning, so I was giving it everything I had."
It was nice to see Twins first baseman Justin Morneau take the field when he entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning replacing starting first baseman David Ortiz of the Red Sox, but it didn’t feel like Morneau gave it all he had at the plate. Morneau went 0 for 2 in his two at-bats. He flew out to Reds right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. and then he popped out in foul territory to Pirates third baseman Freddy Sanchez.
The Twins other powerhouse hitter didn’t fare any better. Torii Hunter also went 0 for 2 after replacing starter Ichiro Suzuki in center field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hunter flew out to Soriano in left field and grounded out to Sanchez in the ninth.
Despite the poor offensive representation by the Minnesota Twins, the American League managed to pull off a dramatic 5-4 victory in the 78th All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco. This Minnesota Twins fan hopes to see even more Twins All-Stars next year and hopes the rest of this Twins season will be filled with All-Star moments.
It was nice to see Twins first baseman Justin Morneau take the field when he entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning replacing starting first baseman David Ortiz of the Red Sox, but it didn’t feel like Morneau gave it all he had at the plate. Morneau went 0 for 2 in his two at-bats. He flew out to Reds right fielder Ken Griffey Jr. and then he popped out in foul territory to Pirates third baseman Freddy Sanchez.
The Twins other powerhouse hitter didn’t fare any better. Torii Hunter also went 0 for 2 after replacing starter Ichiro Suzuki in center field in the bottom of the fifth inning. Hunter flew out to Soriano in left field and grounded out to Sanchez in the ninth.
Despite the poor offensive representation by the Minnesota Twins, the American League managed to pull off a dramatic 5-4 victory in the 78th All-Star Game at AT&T Park in San Francisco. This Minnesota Twins fan hopes to see even more Twins All-Stars next year and hopes the rest of this Twins season will be filled with All-Star moments.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Twins Players going to All-Star Baseball Game
The Minnesota Twins will not have a starter in this year’s MLB All-Star game in San Francisco. Of course, reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau didn't get voted to start by fans because there are a million more people in Boston to vote in their “first base” candidate, David Ortiz. Ortiz doesn’t even play first base as he is primarily a designated hitter. You have to hand Ortiz some credit though: Many players aren’t comfortable in the designated hitter position as they don’t feel like they are contributing to the team enough by not playing defense. Ortiz has thrived in the position, and that is admirable in itself.
So will the MVP go to this year’s All-Star game? Yes as the reserve chosen by the fans. Other Twins that made the midsummer classic are center fielder Torii Hunter and pitcher Johan Santana who made it based on managers choice. Joe Mauer missed out most likely due to the injury that caused him to miss precious at-bats. Congrats to our Twins players heading to the All-Star Game!
So will the MVP go to this year’s All-Star game? Yes as the reserve chosen by the fans. Other Twins that made the midsummer classic are center fielder Torii Hunter and pitcher Johan Santana who made it based on managers choice. Joe Mauer missed out most likely due to the injury that caused him to miss precious at-bats. Congrats to our Twins players heading to the All-Star Game!
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