So it's Minnesota

by Travis G on Oct 6, 2009 10:37 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 20 comments

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There are clearly some pros and cons to playing the Minnesota Twins.

Pros:

The Yankees are 7-0 against them this year and 18-6 over the last three.

They won't have their second best hitter, Justin Morneau.

After playing 12 innings and flying to New York, they will be tired. They also used eight pitchers tonight (including Joe Nathan).

Cons:

They have the best player in the league catching for them.

After going 0-7 this year, perhaps they're due. The Yankees certainly were after starting 0-8 vs. Boston.

They're a better team than when we last saw them in July. They've added Orlando Cabrera and (don't laught) Carl Pavano since then.

They certainly have momentum (which is only worth as much as the next day's starter). They're 17-4 in their last 21 games.

The Twins are a better road team (38-43 vs. 35-47) and a better overall team than Detroit: they have a +52 run differential. Detroit was -2.

The road to 11 starts tomorrow at 6 p.m.

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That was a hell of a game.

Couldn’t have worked out better for us though. We should be able to win both games at home and get a hold of this series.

Facial LaFleur, total facial.

by Lord Duggan on Oct 6, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amazing game, one for all time.

I really have no confidence in Burnett though. I’m counting on our bats and CC and Andy to win us this series. Go Yanks!

by YankeesRock on Oct 6, 2009 10:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully your confidence will be restored

We’re going to need everyone, including AJ. The Twins have a whole bunch of good pitchers and I don’t have much confidence in being able to score many runs. Throw out the stats. Forget the past. Now is when it comes down to pitching and defense. If I’m betting, I’m betting the Yanks sweep but I also expect the games to be close. I was pulling for the Tigers for several reasons but mostly because they won in 06 and payback’s a biitch.
Game 1 is extremely important to the Yanks. To lose with CC and lose home field advantage to a team that’s not just tired from the quick turnaround but also worn down from the month long chase, would be a very bad thing. Not the end of the world but game 2, with AJ, would then be a must win.
Gardenhire versus Girardi with managing the bullpens will be important. Offense and defense is 99% about guys making plays but a pitcher can’t help if he’s not warmed up and ready when needed.
Of all the pitchers the Yanks will have (including Marte and Gaudin if they make the cut), the only one I don’t have a ton of confidence in is Phil Coke.

by Peter Lacock on Oct 7, 2009 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Congrats Twinkies

Now prepare to be eviscerated.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Oct 6, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad we're playing the better team

I believe in this year’s Yankees. I feel like they have the kind of grit that’s been lacking in the recent additions. This feel more like the nineties to me. They see a challenge and rise to it.

by dorkus mcforkus on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What an awesome game

I feel for the Tigers. As for the Twins, if Carl Pavano knocks us out of the playoffs, he better get some security because I will find him and I will…

by YankeesJets on Oct 6, 2009 11:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wait, so Kevin Slowey and Justin Morneau are gone

But the Twins are a better team because they have Orlando Cabrera and Carl Pavano instead? Forgive me for being dubious of that claim.

by jman2050 on Oct 7, 2009 12:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Learned Against The 2007 Indians Not To Take Anything For Granted

I think we were undefeated against them during the regular season. I remember every Yankee fan praying we would get the easy Indian series instead of the Angels. Worked out real well. At least the Metrodome wont fill up with midges.

by YankeesJets on Oct 7, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, they were

.500 when we left Minnesota. since then, they are 44-33 (.571).

by Travis G on Oct 7, 2009 2:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We couldn't have asked for a better scenario

But the Twins can really go one of two ways.

1) Keep riding this hot streak like the Rockies in 2007

2) Just be happy to get to the postseason.

We have to prepare for the former and hope for the latter.

by GMan83201 on Oct 7, 2009 12:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lets hope they all got WAAASTED after the game.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Oct 7, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tigers lost though

Otherwise we could at least count on Miguel Cabrera to do so.

by GMan83201 on Oct 7, 2009 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The road to 27*

I have all the confidence in the world in the Yankees!

by Fluke on Oct 7, 2009 4:07 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Those darn twins....

Good for them…made the post season congrats…

Now prepare to be fucced by the long d*&^ of the yankees….(ah superbad…I love that movie)

by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 7, 2009 7:52 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

In a perfect world...

I’d want a sweep with the added pleasure of them kicking the crap out of Pavano in Minn. for the sweep. There is an extra amount of pressure tonight, because the already favored Yanks are playing a team that has to be exhausted, both physically and emotionally, losing tonight would put a cloud over this series quickly. Hoping for a nice easy one tonight, like 7-2.

by fredny on Oct 7, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs