World Series Notes

The Minnesota Twins are not in the World Series. However, I've still paid attention to playoff baseball as the Texas Rangers dismantled the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants took down the Philadelphia Phillies. The World Series features two teams that have NEVER won a World Series (by that, I mean the San Fransisco Giants have never won a World Series since they moved there in 1957). So, one team will win it's first World Championship. The Texas Rangers hadn't even won a playoff series before this postseason and have now won 2 in a row. I like both teams and just hope to see a fun series.

Minnesota Twins Top Prospects

The Minnesota Twins have a philosophy that stresses promoting from within. Many of the Twins players have come up through the Minnesota Twins minor league system. That being said, here is my rankings of the Minnesota Twins top prospects going into next season.

1- Kyle Gibson - starting pitcher that rose through the ranks to AAA in his first season.
2-Aaron Hicks - enormous potential, if he develops power he is a 5 tool prospect with speed, a good arm, good fielding, and good eye at the plate
3- Miguel Sano - very young but his upside is unlimited. could be the future shortstop for the Twins in 5 years (he's 16!)
4- Ben Revere - speedy outfielder has a knack for finding a way to get on base. unfortunately lacks power but he could play well at his niche - fielding, hitting for average, and stealing bases. tasted the big leagues this season for the Twins
5- Max Kepler-Rozycki - I'm really high on this kid. He's from Germany and has the look of a big league player. He's still very young and I hope someday can be a main contributor from the outfield. He held his own in rookie ball.

Who Will Be Back?

Here are the pending free agents for next year:

Nick Punto, JJ Hardy, Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome, Carl Pavano, Matt Guerrier, Brian Fuentes, Jesse Crain, Jon Rauch.

It will be interesting to see who gets brought back and who goes. Stay Tuned. My gut feeling is that Thome and maybe 1 from the bullpen are back.

Michael Cuddyer to Get Knee Surgery

Michael Cuddyer will need surgery on his right knee. Apparently it bugged him since the beginning of the season but stated it did not affect his playing ability. The outfielder has only played for the Minnesota Twins and has been a warrior in terms of ability to play different positions and play nearly all season long. Here's to hoping for a fast recovery for Michael Cuddyer.

That's a Wrap: Twins Swept Out of ALDS

It's hard to even write this, as I'm a lifelong Twins fan. The season is officially over and ended abruptly. Twelve postseason losses in a row is hard to fathom right now. Being the first team in and now the first team out is hard to stomach. I'll have more analysis during the week, but for now I'll just leave it at this. It was a good ride winning the AL Central and 94 games, but it feels like a lot was left to be desired.

The Sting Continues: Yankees Up 2 Games to None

It hurts. The New York Yankees have defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-4 and 5-2 in the first 2 games of the ALDS playoffs. Both games were at Target Field, which mean the Minnesota Twins are traveling once again to New York. Down 2-0 in a best of 5 game series makes it a really tall order. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite have shut down the Twins offense essentially in both games. New York simply has had our number. We need to take game 3 or the series is over. It may seem like an insurmountable deficit but hey, that's why they play the game.

I leave this picture because of the overwhelming Twins fans that may be down and out. The chances may be stacked against us but let's not quit. Why can't it be us that takes down the New York Yankees?

Why Not Us?

TWINS-YANKEES, ROUND 4

It's official: The Minnesota Twins will take on the New York Yankees in the first round of the ALDS playoffs. Every Twins fan would love nothing more than to beat the Bombers this year. Do I even need to mention that this is the 4th time since 2003 that the Minnesota Twins are playing the New York Yankees in the AL playoffs? In 2003, we were defeated 3 games to 1 in the ALDS. In 2004, we were again defeated 3 games to 1 in the ALDS. In 2009, we were swept 3 to 0.

This is the first time we will have homefield advantage. This is the best lineup with our 1-9 hitters we have had since the World Series Teams of 1987 and 1991. The first game is Wednesday at 7:37 followed by Thursday at 5:07, both Central Time at Target Field. More analysis later this week.

Minnesota Twins Swept in Detroit

The Minnesota Twins were swept by the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. It was a weekend to forget and hopefully it will not carry into Cleveland or back at Target Field. Some high notes though included Danny Valencia's two home run day on Saturday, including a grand slam to bring his season total to 7. The lineups the team was using was a little different this weekend, as manager Ron Gardenhire wants to give adequate rest to the primary starters. Fortunately for us, we have already clinched and this series should not be pivotal for going into October.

Pick Your Poison: New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays

The Minnesota Twins will play either the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays (barring a crazy collapse and Boston Red Sox streak) in the first round of the AL playoffs. They will most likely face the Wild Card Winner, or, whoever finishes 2nd in the AL East. So, as a Twins fan, who would you rather face? The Bombers have dominated the Twins in the past (last 2 playoff exits came from them and we are 3-16 in our last 19 against them) and the Rays have a Cy Young candidate and speedy line up. Both teams are talented and experienced. As Twins fans, we just have to see how it plays out since we can't control who will finish where. However, I like our chances just as much as anyone else's, whether we play the Bombers or the Rays. e

MINNESOTA TWINS SWEEP CLEVELAND INDIANS, WIN AL CENTRAL DIVISION

There will be no Game 163 this year. The Minnesota Twins have won the American League Central Divison. Again. That makes it back-to-back and now 6 times in the last 9 years. They swept the Cleveland Indians by scores of 9-3, 6-4, and 5-1. The 6-4 clinching game came on a rally from a 4-1 deficit started in the 6th inning. Heroes were all across the board as everyone contributed to this sweep. After the Twins rallied, the players stayed in the clubhouse and waited to see if the Oakland Athletics would hang on to defeat the Chicago White Sox. They did just that and then the celebration ensued. Champagne was sprayed all over the clubhouse. A few hundred fans waited in the stands. Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins!

PS- check out this Sports Illustrated with Jim Thome on the cover!

The Minnesota Twins Lose 2 of 3 to Oakland A's

The Minnesota Twins hosted the Oakland Athletics over the weekend at Target Field. The Oakland A's won on Friday and Sunday, while the Twins were victorious on Saturday. A 3-1 loss on Friday night was avenged with a 4-2 victory on Saturday. Rookie third baseman Danny Valencia homered both days including a huge 3 run homer on Saturday in the 6th inning. The Minnesota Twins lost the rubber match on Sunday, where Francisco Liriano was roughed up in 5 innings. Denard Span and Jason Kubel did not play in the series and hopefully will return soon. Rookie Ben Revere got his first starts in center field and was 2-4 on Sunday for his first two hits of his career. Next up is the Cleveland Indians at home.

How Sweep it Is: Minnesota Twins Takes All 3 Games from Chicago White Sox

The Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 8-5 last night to push their AL Central lead to 9 games and magic number to 8. Carl Pavano got his 17th win of the season, Delmon Young hit his 18th home run, and Matt Capps earned his 13th save. Things started a little dicey, when Carl Pavano came up and in on Paul Konerko. Konerko was hit in the nose by the pitch and stayed in the game while the trainer was attempting to pull him from the game. Mark Buerhle retaliated when they hit Michael Cuddyer the next inning. The AL Central is now virtually locked up and the Minnesota Twins are back home against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. We now are tied with the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees for most wins in the American League.

For any Minnesota Twins tickets, check out Ticket King!

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.