MLB Game Chatter 9/20-9/22

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Not much in the way of games today, although the Cubs face the Marlins for the last time in 2004 in a double-header. Pavano and Prior go head-to-head in Game 1. As you'll recall, Pavano started Game 1 in their last double-header with the Cubs and shut them out. This was helped by the likes of Tom Goodwin and Ramon Martinez being in there instead of Aramis Ramirez and Moises Alou. You'd figure Dusty would've learned his lesson, right?

 

Nah. Aramis and Sammy are sitting in Game 1 and will play in Game 2 that's being started by DAVID WEATHERS. Why not load up the lineup against the Cy Young candidate and not the guy who's been traded and released all season?

[Guest Staravenger]

I concur, that really doesn't make sense at all. Double AA ball clubs could probably whoop Weathers ass back to the Free Agent line, so why bother "Stacking" the lineup against him?

 

The Marlins need to win both of these games if they want to have a chance in hell of being a Wild Card contender again. A split or two losses (especially the latter) would be the end of their season. I'll also have to go with either a split or two losses, because the Cubs lineup is just too good for a pitcher of Weathers level and the Marlins lineup doesn't have the all-stars and power the Cubs do.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Twins will clinch the Central division title in the upcoming series.

 

Cubs lead 5-1 in the 5th.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Twins will clinch the Central division title in the upcoming series.

 

Cubs lead 5-1 in the 5th.

Big deal. It's impressive that they're doing it before the Yankees, A's, and Braves are, but geez, they're in a division where the second-best team is the sub-.500 Chicago White Sox, with a depleted lineup that requires the WGN promos to announce them as "Paul Konerko and the Sox." I don't think the Twinkies can beat the Yankees, Red Sox, or A's, whichever team they end up getting in the first round, Santana be damned.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I guarantee the Twins would still have the division won by this week with Ordonez and Thomas in the lineup. A tiger doesn't change their stripes and the White Sox are and will always be heartless dogs. As for the rest of of the divisions. Who the hell cares, the Twins are in their division for a reason.

 

This is a good team, the best in this run. Does that mean they'll make it out of the first round? No. They might not win a game, but i honestly believe they're more than capable in beating any of the 3 teams. Besides Santana. They have Radke a good bullpen. An actual power threat in Morneau, Hrbek was really the last person.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Who the hell cares, the Twins are in their division for a reason.

Yes. They are in the central part of the country.

[2GOLD 0]

Twins vs Playoff teams:

 

vs Yankees: 2-1 (doesn't really say much)

vs Red Sox: 4-2

vs Oakland: 2-5

 

So 8-8 vs teams headed to the playoffs.

 

They COULD pull a shocker but I doubt it. But the Twins don't exactly suck.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Who the hell cares, the Twins are in their division for a reason.

Yes. They are in the central part of the country.

I was thinking more along the lines of financial reasons.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Twins vs Playoff teams:

 

vs Yankees: 2-1 (doesn't really say much)

vs Red Sox: 4-2

vs Oakland: 2-5

 

So 8-8 vs teams headed to the playoffs.

 

They COULD pull a shocker but I doubt it. But the Twins don't exactly suck.

It's a mixed bag. They got the Yankees when the Yankees weren't playing well. The do play the Sox well, than again the Sox hadn't really hit their stride, and many of the A's games were very close.

 

Either way. It's nice the Twins are actually being discussed. It's usually the usual suspects around here.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Prior looks to be on his way to a win *knock on wood*. He looked like vintage Prior, going 7 2/3, giving up an earned run and striking out nine. He threw 128 pitches, too many I think, but Baker took him out before the inning was over, so at least he didn't leave him in there to an extreme.

[The Czech Republic 0]

When are the Twins getting their new stadium?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Prior looks to be on his way to a win *knock on wood*. He looked like vintage Prior, going 7 2/3, giving up an earned run and striking out nine. He threw 128 pitches, too many I think, but Baker took him out before the inning was over, so at least he didn't leave him in there to an extreme.

He looked great today. Hate to second guess, but Dusty probably should of taken Prior out after Pierre reached base in the 8th. Once you're over 115 pitches, i think that's enough.

 

A stadium for the Twins will happen when hell freezes over. Not really, but it's such a slow process. I have no idea.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I still give him credit for taking him out before Cabrera came to the plate. I don't think he should've even been out there for the eighth, but at least Dusty got him out of there before he threw any more pitches.

[The Czech Republic 0]

One more win and the Cubs are in the lead and the Marlins are out of the race.

[Vern Gagne 0]

You have to like the Cubs chances in Game 2 with Weathers on the mound.

[Mik 0]

The Marlins are already out of the race. Oh well, 3rd best season in Marlins history.

[The Czech Republic 0]

You have to like the Cubs chances in Game 2 with Weathers on the mound.

I didn't even know David Weathers played for the Marlins.

[2GOLD 0]

You have to like the Cubs chances in Game 2 with Weathers on the mound.

 

Which is why the Cubs will falter. They seem to do their best work against pitchers they shouldn't and their worse against pitchers who they should hammer.

 

As for Prior, I am now sure it had nothing to do with overpitching him. His mechanics were off the mark and he didn't have much work before getting thrown to the wolves. He just needs to relax and he'll be fine. Today was important for him and Dusty handled it just fine.

 

He let him get it into a position that the bullpen could take care of.

[Guest Anglesault]

It's up to the Yankees to NOT do their usual "Win a big series than lollygag around for a wekk or so. We need to take four and keep the momentum going into Fenway.

 

I half expect them to blow it and end up right back where we started when we get to Boston on Friday.

[Guest Staravenger]

The Blue Jays record against the Yankees this year hasn't been that impressive. I have faith in the Yankees this series, but I expect them to drop one game at the most.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

You have to like the Cubs chances in Game 2 with Weathers on the mound.

 

Which is why the Cubs will falter. They seem to do their best work against pitchers they shouldn't and their worse against pitchers who they should hammer.

True to form, they're down 3-0 already, with only one Florida hit on the board. Not just that, but Weathers is looking pretty good through two.

[Guest Anglesault]

The Blue Jays record against the Yankees this year hasn't been that impressive.

That means every little.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

AS, have fun with Clement next season, as he's done nothing of late to indicate that the Cubs should keep him around next season. There's obviously something going on and I've gotta believe he's not nearly 100 percent, since he was so dominant for so much of the season. It's only the third inning, but it's beginning to look like the game we were seemingly a lock to win will be a loss.

[Guest Staravenger]

Clement should shake hands with Vazquez. For some reason he seems to have just tanked since the all star break, and either pitches good, or to the point of being horrible.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Weathers looked like Cy Young in his four innings of work today. He struck out six and only gave up one run. The Cubs got a break in the top of the inning, getting the first two guys on when a double-play should've cleared the bases. Of course, they proceeded to squander it, not even moving the runners along.

 

This team's so homerun reliant, it's sad. When they're hitting them, no one questions it; but then when they don't, it just sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

As an aside, Derrek Lee has struck out five times so far today. He's really been horrible against his former team.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Florida has not been able to field much this 6th inning, Cubs score with no outs in the 6th just yet and Ramirez is in scoring position.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

But no homeruns mean no runs, period. They get two on and no out for the second time in the game and do absolutely nothing. Both times, the heart of the order was up, too, so no excuses. Whatever they do next season, I surely hope a new hitting instructor is brought in, because honestly, you can't win baseball games if you're all about the homerun ball and nothing else. You're not gonna hit homeruns in every game, so you're in serious trouble if that's what your offense completely relies on.

 

And make it six K's for Lee. My fantasy team thanks you, big man.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Cubs won without any home runs in Game 1. And the bullpen has been nearly spotless, so all we need to do is score in the 9th.

[Mik 0]

They almost did, but Juan Encarnacion pulled a two run homerun back over the fence and the Marlins ended up with the split.

 

How about David Weathers, hero of the day. Unbelievable. I thought it would be a split, but with the outcomes of the games reversed.

[mike546 0]

And Vazques gives up ANOTHER first inning homer.