Tale of the Blackbeard

I could start this post with "Once upon a time..." but that's a little too cliche for me. The excitement of getting a ticket to the home opener was enough to keep me awake for the entire game last night (not sure that will happen again tonight, but we shall see). It would have been nice if they would have maybe broken it up a bit with today being a day game, but I am not in charge of scheduling so we just have to make the best of it.

It was nice to see our good friend Nick Blackburn back on the mound for his first game of the season and he seemed to be in fine form. I like to think the beard is still working for him and as long as he keeps it trimmed, we'll be okay. If not he'll end up on the "list" like Matty G did last night. Overall I was impressed with our pitching last night. Still trying to get used to Rauch as the closer and yes I did watch him pitch even though it pained me that it was him and not Nate.

All of my co-workers yesterday were pegging the Twins to lose again last night with Nicks' record against LA, but I was trying to keep a glimmer of hope that he would pull out a win and he did. It was nice coming in this morning and telling everyone "I told you so". I've learned my lesson to never count this time out, especially this early in the season. It's game two people, cut them some slack.

It was a night for the J's last night, with Joe, Justin, and JJ going long for the team. I wasn't home for Joe's and I missed JJ's (and the DVR wouldn't let me rewind to see it) but I was able to see Justin's and it's nice seeing this kind of ball again. I've read a few articles where people have said the Twins can't play the long ball, oh yes we can, they can play both long and small ball. We did it last season and we'll do it again this season.

Oh and before I forget, what is with the BS calls already this season? Cuddy was safe by a mile at second last night when the ump called him out. I know it's only game two, but I thought all the umps took refresher classes or something during the off season after all the screwed up calls last season. It's a little too early for this nonsense if you ask me.

I thought the rally monkey's were silly last season, but last night took the cake with the snuggies. Don't get me wrong, kuddos to them for setting the record and the fans had fun with it, but maybe it's just me. I don't get the whole thing with the snuggie, lol.

Perhaps they need snuggies for the rally monkeys? But then again, please no, that might be a bit too much.

Bring Out The Brooms!

That's right, the Twins swept the Sux, in the South Side no less. We're still 2.5 games back since Cleveland has obviously given up for the season, but I'm holding onto a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe the Tribe will pull whatever is stuck up their ass out and figure out how to play baseball again.

I love seeing our guys sweep a team, but there is something special and kinda funny when the guys sweep Chicago. I'm not sure if it's watching AJ piss and moan and complain about everything not going his way or what. I figured for sure after those couple stolen bases, that he would go back in the dug out and whine so he wouldn't have to finish the game. It seems to be AJ's way.

I always find it funny how no matter how many times these teams play the Twins at home and they always play that Walks Will Haunt animation, they still walk our guys and in the end it haunts them. Tonight was the prime example, they walked the White Sux killer and in the end he scored anyway. Not that I'm bitching, keep walking our guys and the runs will continue to come.
I strongly believe that after his performance tonight, Brian Duensing has earned his spot in the starting rotation for next year. So many people or journalist have said he needs more seasoning, really how much more seasoning does he need then what he's getting right now pitching in a race for the division title? I know tonight may have not been his best night on the mound, but he's proven in his last few starts he knows what he's doing and he's got what it takes to be a starter.

Enjoy your day off guys, Denard rest up, we want you back in the lead off spot on Friday. All the fans can taste it guys, as we all know you can too. Go out there and go after it :)

Sending Out An S.O.S

I never wanted to give up on the Twins, but at this point it's a game by game type thing. I mean when you have a team that can't even win against a team that's 16 games outta first place, the white flags should be waving. I think K-Bro put it best when she said the Twins were CTD. I keep hoping for a miracle, like perhaps the Tigers and the Sox just roll over and play dead and let us take the division lead, but that will never happen. Even when those two teams have an off day and lose, we can't seem to capitalize on it.

I keep hearing all this talk about Mauer and his 14 game hitting streak, which I think is awesome don't get me wrong, but one guy can't carry this team, it's not fair to him. For the longest time it was Justin that seemed to have to take that roll and now it's Joe. This is a team effort starting with our starting pitchers, which at this point leave a lot to the imagination. You can't expect guys that are only used to working one maybe two innings a night to have to pitch pretty much the whole game because our starters don't want to do their jobs.

What happened to the team from last season? I hate watching this team fall apart before my own eyes, but that's exactly what's happening.