The Twins start a three-game series on the south side tomorrow night. It's nice to know that we're no longer looking at the central standings, but compiling some standings of our own:
UPDATED
Yankees 88-57 - -
Rays 87-57 .5 GB
Twins 86-58 1.5 GB
Those are the best records in the American League. The playoff picture is pretty darn clear, especially compared with the NL, but there are still some interesting things to look for in September. ITSET (if the season ended today) the Yankees (best record) would face the Rangers (worst record) while the Twins would host the Rays. Starting the playoffs at Target Field? Great. We're not greedy - we're Minnesotans.
But heck, one look at the standings will tell you that the Twins have a real shot at locking up home field for both the ALDS and ALCS. Not only would it be nice to have a bunch of games at TF, but it would really change the way the fans, media and players view the Twins. If they pulled it off, they would probably have the most wins in all of baseball. Now, grabbing one more win than the Yankees in the regular season won't convince everyone that the Twins are a better and World Series bound team, but it might change a few minds in the clubhouse.
Or I'm just looking for some sort of reason to believe the Twins can beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Last year, I convinced myself that they had a better shot than ever because of the way they streaked into the postseason. Of course, they streaked right back out.
Unless the Rays win the east, the Twins wouldn't have to face the Yankees until the ALCS (assuming they beat the Rangers, who just swept them in Texas.) So here are my two questions:
1. If you had to face the Yankees in the playoffs, would you rather face them in a 7-game or a 5-game series? It stands to reason that the better team will win over a longer period of time, and the underdog has a better chance taking a short series. However, this hasn't exactly worked for the Twins in the past. (If the Rays won the east with the best record in the AL, the wild card Yankees would have to travel to Minnesota.)
2. Would winning the championship without defeating New York be as satisfying? Would you rather lose in the World Series after beating the Yankees in the ALCS? Or would you rather win it all but miss the Yankees?
Monday, September 13, 2010
The part where I jinx the Twins by talking about the playoffs
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5 comments:
1) I'd personally rather play the Yankees in a seven game series. While I agree that the better team typically has an advantage in a long series, depth is also a bigger issue in a long series. Without examining the clubs' rotations in detail, I think the Twins would match up better in a long series because the Yankees have pitching questions after Sabathia. Burnett has been bad lately, Pettitte is hurt and has been out for a while this year, Hughes is getting to his innings limit, and Vasquez has had an up-and-down year. You could make similar arguments about all of Baker, Slowey, and Blackburn, and even make a claim that Duensing isn't all that great, but I think that having Liriano and Pavano starting four or five of seven games gives us a better shot than three of five.
2) I'll take the World Series win after beating Tampa, Texas, and whoever wins the National League. Flags fly forever.
I'm afraid to even imagine the joy of a WS win. But personally, and I don't think I'm alone on this, a postseason series win over the Yankees would be almost as satisfying. I say bring them on. The Twins this year are as good as they've been since '91. (Although I was saying the same thing last year and in '06.)
Without examining the clubs' rotations in detail, I think the Twins would match up better in a long series because the Yankees have pitching questions after Sabathia.
You don't need to examine the rotation in detail, but there's one thing that would help the Yankees: The long schedule for the series.
With an off day in between nearly every game, the Yankees can stick with a 3-man rotation (as many teams do) so they can avoid the 2 worst starters in the rotation. Having to face Sabathia twice (and possibly 3 times in a 7-game series) is daunting.
I just dont know. dont know. hosting the yankees in a best of five means the twins HAVE to win the 1st two or else Yanks have the upper hand. But then again the twins have always had to start a series in New York and look what that's gotten them. Bring them the hell on at Target Field.
I pray I never watch Baker pitch another playoff game. Deuce has been the answer, and I love him. Pavano worries me. Liriano is kindve a headcase but should be fine. So what about Blackburn? he's pitched well in big time games before, he seems to be a pitching better since he was sent down. 4 man rotation? 3-man putting Deuce back in the pen? what to do what to do.
"I'll take the World Series win after beating Tampa, Texas, and whoever wins the National League. Flags fly forever."
Amen brother.
Man, Im getting excited.
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