Twins White Sox Rivalry

With the Twins losing Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel to free agency, going to the Rockies and the Diamondbacks, respectively, there has ben a lot of discussion about the Twins and White Sox rivalry losing a lot of history.

We've lost Thome (who used to be a White Sox/sock?), Cuddyer and Kubel. They lost Ozzie Guillen, who always had plenty to say before during and after a Twins White Sox game.

Below are the Twins roster changes from last year's Opening Day:

Delmon Young: traded to Detroit last August, only to go on and be more awesome than he ever was with the Twins.
Jim Thome: traded to Cleveland last August, signed with the Phillies.
Joe Nathan: signed with Texas (which I think fits him perfectly, though it makes me sad).
Jose Mijares: Non-tendered.
Kevin Slowey: Traded to the Rockies.
Michael Cuddyer: Signed by the Rockies.
Jason Kubel: Signed by Arizona.

We've lost a lot of history, it's true - especially with Cuddy and Kubel. Kubel hit 22 of his 104 career home runs against the White Sox pitching staff. Cuddy played in 145 Twins Sox games, where he hit .356 off Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Gavin Floyd and Jake Peavy.

I cannot handle having another terrible season. I HATE HATE HATE losing to the Sox. The Twins need to get their act together and get some free agents aboard.

Ozzie Guillen Leaving AL Central

This is relevant to the Twins because I think Gardenhire and Guillen are actually friends in real life.


Alright Chicago. Let me tell you this: Ozzie Guillen is one crazy SOB, but he also wins games. He is temperamental and difficult to play for. He is also the only Chicago manager in the last 90 years to lead a Chicago team to a World Series title.

Out of the eight seasons as the White Sox manager, the team has held a winning record five times. Just once during those same eight seasons have the Sox lost more than 90 games.

Sure, the Sox sucked this year. So did the whole AL Central with the exception of Justin Verlander. Stuff happens. The Twins are closing in on 100 wins? You think your season is bad?

Guillen was probably one big fat migraine. The new manager probably will be less of one, but that comes at a price. The new manager is certain to be less colorful and will be lucky if he can lead the White Sox to as many wins as Guillen did.

Guillen will be taking a job with the Florida Marlins after being released from his White Sox contract.

Actually, there has been a lot of relocation to Florida... just see the AL Wildcard.

White Sox Sweep Twins

It's going to be a long, depressing September for the Minnesota Twins. The Minnesota Twins are in last place and the lineup does not look good at all. There is nothing worse than watching horrible September baseball, and it looks like that is what we're in for for the next month.

The Twins participated in a day-night double header and got beat in both games. They did not look good at all. The team is now 58-83. I hope they lose less than 95 games but it's looking like they're going to lose around that many games. Sad times for the Twins.

Twins Commemorate '91 World Championship

The Minnesota Twins will be commemorating the '91 World Championship win over the Atlanta Braves. The team was led from last place in 1990 to first a year later by Kirby Puckett and jack Morris.

In honor of the 20th anniversary, the Twins will celebrate Friday through Sunday at Target Field while they host a series against the Chicago White Sox.

I think the Twins-White Sox series is the perfect series during which to commemorate the most recent Twins World Championship. Being crowd the world champion is about team dominance over all others in the league. With the White Sox quickly becoming the Twins' perpetual door mat, what could give a better correlation to that '91 championship?

I can't wait to see what the Twins ball club has in store for the celebrations!

Minnesota Twins Face Phil Humber Thursday Night

Remember when the Twins traded Johan Santana to the New York Mets for three prospects? Remember that two of them were supposed to contribute immediately? Remember their names? Carlos Gomez and Phil Humber ringing any bells?

It's been three years since the Twins made that trade. No one from that trade has done anything. The Twins could have had Jon Lester or Jacoby Ellsbury, but opted against them. Gomez was terrible from the beginning. The Twins gave up on Humber after the 2009 season. He spent a season with the Royals, mostly in Triple A when the Chicago White Sox picked him up.

Chicago's pitching coach suggested that he add a slider and it has worked miracles for him. He is 8-4 with a 2.69 ERA and could be named to the All Star team later this week. Something the Twins could desperately need.

Don't blame the Twins for getting rid of this guy. He was mentally unstable when they had him and wasn't a shell of the pitcher he is today. They couldn't have really thought that he would develop into an All Star talent during his first year as a full time starter in the league as a 28 year old.

FRANCISCO LIRIANO THROWS A NO HITTER

Francisco Liriano threw a no hitter on Tuesday night in Chicago against the White Sox in a 1-0 victory. What a great memory for him that will be. How he got his no hitter was something else. He only struck out 2 and walked 6 batters but no hitters were able to scrap together a hit. Liriano was virtually pitching for his spot in the rotation after he came in with an ERA of over 9. I am so happy for Francisco and feel like I have seen him from all the ups and downs throughout his career. Congratulations Franky, you deserve it.

Jason Repko and Pat Neshek Signed and Will Return

Utility outfielder Jason Repko has signed a 1 year tender for $600,000 and relief pitcher Pat Neshek has signed a 1 year contract worth $625,000. I like both of these signings since they are essentially cheap contracts. Repko provides solid defense, a great arm, and speed on the basepaths. Neshek obviously did not pitch for the team that much this year but he continues to improve from his surgery. Hey, I'd rather see the Minnesota native get back on track for the hometown team than another team. Plus, it's not a longterm or expensive contract. Also - Adam Dunn appears headed to the Chicago White Sox. He can hit absolute rockets.

Minnesota Twins Take Down Chicago White Sox 9-3

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-3 in the opening game of a 3 game set in Chicago. The win puts Minnesota 7 games up on Chicago with 18 games left. Clearly nothing is over until it's over, but barring a major collapse, Minnesota should expect an AL Central crown. Francisco Liriano went 6 innings to earn his 14th victory of the season. Delmon Young hit his 17th home run of the season on his 25th birthday, JJ Hardy was 2-4, and Denard Span had a bases clearing Alex Rios error (bobble in center field) to end with 4 RBI's.

Jesse Crain also got out of a big jam and struck out MVP candidate Paul Konerko and slugger Manny Ramirez with the bases loaded in the 7th inning. Crain has been unbelievable since June. The Minnesota Twins now stand 86-58 and only trail the New York Yankees (88 wins) and Tampa Bay Rays (87 wins) in wins in the MLB. Keep an eye with those two teams as it will most likely determine who the Twins could face in the first round of the playoffs, as well as home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Minnesota Twins Take 2 of 3 from Cleveland Indians

On Friday night, Fausto Carmona threw a gem and the Minnesota Twins lost 2-0 to the Cleveland Indians. Carl Pavano pitched wonderfully for the Minnesota Twins, going 8 innings and only surrendering 2 runs, but Carmona went 9 innings and only gave up 3 hits. On Saturday night, after a long rain delay, Jim Thome hit a 12th inning solo home run that gave Minnesota the 1-0 lead and victory. Matt Capps came in to close it out. On Sunday afternoon, Minnesota scored 5 runs in the 1st inning and cruised to a 6-2 victory. They still hold their 6 game lead over the Chicago White Sox with 19 games remaining.

Minnesota Twins Push Lead to 6 Games

The Minnesota Twins gained a half game in the standings over the Chicago White Sox yesterday, thanks to the Detroit Tigers. The Twins are currently 6 games up over the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central standings with 22 games to play. However, after back-to-back Game 163's, nothing is over until a team is mathematically eliminated. It is a position the Twins are more than happy to take, but they realize nothing has been earned yet - an AL Central Crown or playoff birth. All they have to worry about is winning ballgames and the rest will come.

Minnesota Twins Schedule already has its first WIN!

The Minnesota Twins may not have had their own Home Opener yet, but the MLB regular season is underway and the Minnesota Twins already have a win on the books. The Twins Roster is spending the majority of this week in Los Angeles taking on the LA Angels. Monday's Twins Angels game ended in a 6-3 loss of the Minnesota Twins.

Yesterday was a whole different story... The Minnesota Twins came out swinging, literally. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and J.J. Hardy all hit major home-runs early on helping the Minnesota Twins take the lead. But the Twins Batting wasn't the only thing that rocked last night.

Pitcher Jon Rauch "It's always nerve-wracking when you're trying to replace a guy like [Joe] Nathan," Rauch said. "Just trying to think about getting out there and getting it over with, get the three outs and get that win."

The Minnesota Twins play the Los Angeles Angels again tonight before traveling to Chicago to take on the Chicago White Sox for a 3 game series Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The White Sox Twins Series will lead right into next Monday's Minnesota Twins Home Opener at Target Field.