Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 22, 2004 If you really want to pick nits with the 'weak division' argument, I'd like to point out that the AL East includes the Orioles, Devil Rays, and Blue Jays And...? And...? Come on, you can say it! There were (and are) two great teams fighting out for the AL East crown. The Twins had to outlast Cleveland. And...nothing. I was just noting that the AL East isn't exactly overflowing with powerhouse teams, But the East has two Very, very, very good teams. The Central has the Twins and absolutely no one. BTW, I'll give you a nickel if you can tell me who which AL Central team has a winning record against both the Sox (4-2) and Yanks (albeit only 2-1) this season. Give up? It's the Twins. Smackdab in the middle of a Yankee run where I could have beat the Yankees doing the Bugs Bunny routine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 22, 2004 No one is denying the Central is weak division. However, that doesn't mean the Twisn aren't a damn good team, who are more than capable of beating of the other playoff teams. The timing was perfect. However, this team has something the others didn't a dominate starter in Santana. This is an entirely different pitcher. So don't tell me the Yankees beat him last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 22, 2004 Santana is scary. Since his rough start in April/May, he's posted a 1.50 ERA the rest of the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Staravenger Report post Posted September 22, 2004 BTW, I'll give you a nickel if you can tell me who which AL Central team has a winning record against both the Sox (4-2) and Yanks (albeit only 2-1) this season. Give up? It's the Twins. Smackdab in the middle of a Yankee run where I could have beat the Yankees doing the Bugs Bunny routine. The Orioles have been beating the pants off the Red Sox too all season. Doesn't make them the greatest team alive today. I think though the Yankees would've lost to little leaguers in their droughts over the past 2 months. It sure isn't much of a step below the friggin' Royals a few weeks ago and the humiliating 22-0 loss to Clevland (post being a good team the first half of the season). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 22, 2004 Santana is scary. Since his rough start in April/May, he's posted a 1.50 ERA the rest of the way. Many in the Twins organization speculate Santana was tentative to pitch all out until he was certain he was fully healed from off season surgery. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 22, 2004 No one is denying the Central is weak division. To the point where the Twins would have had to physically try to lose the division. And even then, they would have won it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted September 23, 2004 The Indians should be getting really good really soon, and one can only hope that if the Sox get their big guns back they'll be more suited to compete. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GreatOne Report post Posted September 23, 2004 If only the M's could could somehow get into the playoffs despite trying to hold off 100 losses (I mean Ichiro possibly getting the hits record should be worth something), hell based on their competitive matchups against the Red Sox and Twins this year and their just-completed 2/3 bitchslapping of Anaheim, not to exclude JEREMY F'N REED!~, they'll be a THREAT in the playoffs, a THREAT I say.......... (The above sarcasm is meant to put the Twins' HUGE SERIES WIN against the Yankees in perspective) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 The Indians should be getting really good really soon, and one can only hope that if the Sox get their big guns back they'll be more suited to compete. The White Sox have gone through the same damn routine the last 4 years. They don't have what it takes to win anything. Mark it down, Cleveland will be the Twins biggest challenge next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 (The above sarcasm is meant to put the Twins' HUGE SERIES WIN against the Yankees in perspective) Thank you oh witty one. Oh, and comparing the Twins beating the Yankees 2/3 times to Seattle play against Boston shows you know nothing about the Twins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GreatOne Report post Posted September 23, 2004 Yeah two of three, like the M's did to the Twins TWICE at the Safe. Sure I don't know anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Staravenger Report post Posted September 23, 2004 Any team can win on any given...ball game. There's no such thing as a team going 0-162, and SOME good teams are going to have to lose to a shitty team, no matter how bad they can be. The Yanks just dropped 2 of 3 to the Toronto friggin Blue Jays...the worst team in the AL East (by 1/2 game though) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted September 23, 2004 Not for long. Watch out D-Rays, 4th place, here we come! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Yeah two of three, like the M's did to the Twins TWICE at the Safe. Sure I don't know anything. Read the post. You know nothing about the TWINS. The TWINS. The basic point of this thread is too discuss the Twins. You're continuing to compare the Twins series win over the Yankees, to Seattle beating Minnesota, or like Starvanger said the Jays beating the Yankees 2 out of 3 times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GreatOne Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Yeah two of three, like the M's did to the Twins TWICE at the Safe. Sure I don't know anything. Read the post. You know nothing about the TWINS. The TWINS. The basic point of this thread is too discuss the Twins. You're continuing to compare the Twins series win over the Yankees, to Seattle beating Minnesota, or like Starvanger said the Jays beating the Yankees 2 out of 3 times. You're the one playing up HTH as if it means anything. Hell, in 2000 and 2001, the M's beat the Yankees 6-4 and 6-3. That meant in the ALCS exactly what? But I don't wanna keep you from your Series predictions or anything.................. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Ugh. Vern is pointing out that the Twins are capable of beating good teams, and their division title is not just the result of a weak division. The argument has little to do with the Playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GreatOne Report post Posted September 24, 2004 That should strike fear in AngleSault and Cartman, the Twins are CAPABLE.......... Not saying you can't celebrate their title Verne, just don't expect anyone to jump on the 'We won the AL Central, rekognize biotch!' wagon with you.................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 I don't give two fucks about what AS or Cartman thinks. They have nothing to do with the Yankees or Sox. Which is unfortunate because the two teams will be ready for the Twins in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 They might be ready for the Twins, but they'll also have to face Santana twice in a five-game series. That could be a frown squad for any team, but the Yankees and Boston strike me as two teams that should struggle against good LHPs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 They might be ready for the Twins, but they'll also have to face Santana twice in a five-game series. Unless Gardenhire pulls an Art Howe and only starts his CYA leading candidate once in a five game series Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Gardenhire's said the priority is the playoffs, and he fully plans to set his rotation so that Santana pitches twice in the division round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 There's absolutely no way Santan isn't starting twice in a five-game series, and I'm almost positive they'd find a way to get him out there three times if they advanced to the next round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 24, 2004 but the Yankees and Boston strike me as two teams that should struggle against good LHPs. The Yankees hit left handers. Oh, and the Yankees officially clinched a playoff birth. Booyeah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Actually, the Yankees tend to hit lefties just a hair better than righties, according to their splits: NYY vs. LHP: .279/.364/.477 NYY vs. RHP: .268/.352/.456 Boston's splits are fairly indistinguishable as well: BOS vs. LHP: .285/.355/.474 BOS vs. RHP: .280/.362/.470 If you want to see a very pronounced split out of the playoff-contending teams, check out the righty-heavy Cubs lineup: CHC vs. LHP: .252/.317/.423 CHC vs. RHP: .276/.331/.473 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Not surprising. The core of the Yankees lineup (A-Rod, Sheffield, Jeter) is right-handed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Yeah, the Cubs have somehow managed to post horrible numbers but a good record against left-handed pitching, despite having a lineup almost entirely comprised of right-handers. They'd be better off forfieting the game if they ever ran across Johan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 24, 2004 Not surprising. The core of the Yankees lineup (A-Rod, Sheffield, Jeter) is right-handed. And Matsui hits lefties pretty well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Real F'n Show Report post Posted September 25, 2004 If the Twins can stay healthy, facing the Yankees in the playoffs will produce some great games. I think the Twins have what it takes this year to beat the Yankees, although in my opinion, they stand no chance against a fully healthy Cardinals team. And that's coming from a big Twin's fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Congrats to the Twins and their fans, winning three division titles in a row is impressive, no matter what the division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest GreatOne Report post Posted September 25, 2004 Hmmm, Atlanta Braves, 13 straight (will be) division titles=Chokers (not from me mind you) Minnesota Twins=3 straight division titles, a HELLUVAN accomplishment............. Well I guess since we all by and large hate Selig I can live with that explanation................ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
