No, if Boston wins the wild card, we would play the Yankees. The Twins can make it past the first round. Nobody really expected us to make it past Oakland last year, and look what we did. Besides, Anaheim defeated New York also. It can be done, especially the way the Twins are playing right now.
Why doesn't the wild card play the team with the best record? Isn't that usually the case?
I do think the Twins have a chance to make it to the World Series. But it almost seems to be the team that gets on a streak and there is no way to tell who that'll be. That is why I really don't like the playoff system. The team that had the best record in the league for the season should be in the series.
They don't want teams from the same division playing each other in the first round. That's why Boston and New York wouldn't play each other then. As far as the team with the best record being in the league, that isn't really fair. Teams are not played an equal number of times, you have injuries to take into account. The Twins have been banged up for most of the year. They just recently got Milton back. If they had a full healthy lineup day in and day out, they probably would be doing much better. That's not the case. Besides, if what you wanted were true, I don't know if the Twins would have been in the world series in 87 or 91.
I am certain that the Twins would not have been in the Series in 1987 if the team with the best record went to the series. In fact, the Twins had only the fifth best record that year. See http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_1987.shtml
In any event, I think the 162 game season takes most of the issues into account. All teams have injuries and they have to make adjustments. If they successfully make those adjustments that is what makes a good team.
Yeah, they can make the adjustments and get ready for the stretch run. They can figure out who will perform for them, they can figure out what additional pieces they need to pick up. They can work on setting their rotation, addressing their deficiencies. All in getting ready for the stretch run and the playoffs.
the twins had the fifth best record in the American League. Three other teams with better records did not make the playoffs because they happened to be in the same division with the best team. The Twins were 4 games behind the Yankees, the team with fourth best record in the league. I don't know how anyone can really believe that the Twins should have been in the 1987 World Series. Sounds to me that such a statement is pure bias and not based on reason.
Then you would have to change the playoff system, or the mentality of the teams at that point. If a team can handily win their division, then they are going to just cruise into the playoffs. They don't want to risk wearing their players out. If you're just going to take the top two teams, then that brings out a different mentality for the teams. The Twins got into the playoffs, and then they won their series' fair and square. It is how baseball is set up and has been set up. Now we have the wild card situation, and if it was in effect back then, things may have ended up differently. They went according to the rules though, and the Twins made the most of their opportunity.
I guess that was my point. The playoff system or the rules in 1987 were asinine. Of course there wasn't such a problem prior to 1969 and the invention of the playoff system. It doesn't seem American that a team can play all year win the most games and then not have a chance to win it all. Same goes for the 2001 Mariners. They were 14 games above the team with the nest best record in the AL. They should have played Houston or St. Louis in the Series.
I saw in the paper today that the three starters slated for the playoff series (Santana, Radke, Lohse) were like 25-5 since the all-star break. The Twins have the best record since the all-star break. I definitely think its a possibility. Even moreso if we can beat Mussina in the first game.
The Yanks are beatable. An easy task, hell no. People need to remember that the Chi Sox were actually a more talented team as well with some big names on their roster. Same with the Yanks and they got beat last year by the Angles. That's what makes it fun to me is that the Twins really don't have the big marquee names. It can be done I just hope the Twins aren't psyched out by the yanks becasue of our record against them. Then again this team is totally different than the one thet played earlier in the year. If Gardy doesn't get manager of the year it would be a shame. Did he win last year ? I suppose if he did they wouldn't give it to him twice.
It doesn't matter where a team finishes. It matter what a manager had to work with and what he was able to accomplish. Gardenhire should have had the Twins run away with the division but they didn't. Until the recent 11 game win streak Gardenhire could only have been considered to have done a mediocre job.
I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Finishing third is what I'd call mediocre. They have talent on the Royals too and didn't get it done. It's not how you run the race but how you finish. Sorry for the cliche.
The Vikes weren't supposed to do much this year. Let's say they win around 7% more of their games than last year which is about the percentage the Royals improved. Now let's also suppose the Vikes finished 3rd in their division should Tice win coach of the year ?
I think that Pena did a really good job with the Royals. They were a young ball club that wasn't really expected to contend, and he had them contending for a good portion of the year. I question some of his managerial decisions though, and I think that could hurt him. I think Gardenhire is a strong candidate, but its hard to say. Much was expected of the Twins, and they didn't do as well as expected. They have had a lot of injuries to deal with though. He also brought them back to win the Central when they very well could have packed it in and given up. I think that says something.
Best sign shown on TV tonight... "Carlos Lee, you're not very good"
Magic Number:
9
will the Twins make it past the first round of the playoffs? Looks like they will have Oakland again.
No, if Boston wins the wild card, we would play the Yankees. The Twins can make it past the first round. Nobody really expected us to make it past Oakland last year, and look what we did. Besides, Anaheim defeated New York also. It can be done, especially the way the Twins are playing right now.
Why doesn't the wild card play the team with the best record? Isn't that usually the case?
I do think the Twins have a chance to make it to the World Series. But it almost seems to be the team that gets on a streak and there is no way to tell who that'll be. That is why I really don't like the playoff system. The team that had the best record in the league for the season should be in the series.
They don't want teams from the same division playing each other in the first round. That's why Boston and New York wouldn't play each other then. As far as the team with the best record being in the league, that isn't really fair. Teams are not played an equal number of times, you have injuries to take into account. The Twins have been banged up for most of the year. They just recently got Milton back. If they had a full healthy lineup day in and day out, they probably would be doing much better. That's not the case. Besides, if what you wanted were true, I don't know if the Twins would have been in the world series in 87 or 91.
I am certain that the Twins would not have been in the Series in 1987 if the team with the best record went to the series. In fact, the Twins had only the fifth best record that year. See http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_1987.shtml
In any event, I think the 162 game season takes most of the issues into account. All teams have injuries and they have to make adjustments. If they successfully make those adjustments that is what makes a good team.
Yeah, they can make the adjustments and get ready for the stretch run. They can figure out who will perform for them, they can figure out what additional pieces they need to pick up. They can work on setting their rotation, addressing their deficiencies. All in getting ready for the stretch run and the playoffs.
do you really the the Twins should have been in the 1987 World Series?
Yes I do. You were the one that thought the team with the best record should be in the World Series
the twins had the fifth best record in the American League. Three other teams with better records did not make the playoffs because they happened to be in the same division with the best team. The Twins were 4 games behind the Yankees, the team with fourth best record in the league. I don't know how anyone can really believe that the Twins should have been in the 1987 World Series. Sounds to me that such a statement is pure bias and not based on reason.
Then you would have to change the playoff system, or the mentality of the teams at that point. If a team can handily win their division, then they are going to just cruise into the playoffs. They don't want to risk wearing their players out. If you're just going to take the top two teams, then that brings out a different mentality for the teams. The Twins got into the playoffs, and then they won their series' fair and square. It is how baseball is set up and has been set up. Now we have the wild card situation, and if it was in effect back then, things may have ended up differently. They went according to the rules though, and the Twins made the most of their opportunity.
I guess that was my point. The playoff system or the rules in 1987 were asinine. Of course there wasn't such a problem prior to 1969 and the invention of the playoff system. It doesn't seem American that a team can play all year win the most games and then not have a chance to win it all. Same goes for the 2001 Mariners. They were 14 games above the team with the nest best record in the AL. They should have played Houston or St. Louis in the Series.
YIPPIE!!!!
WAY TO GO TWINKIES!!!!!!!
Thanks Yankees and KC
Yanks, You're Next!
Joe
What does summer and the White Sox have in common?
Their season is over!! :)
contradiction? .... take the Brewers instead :) Buds an idiot
How 'bout that live Rosen interview with AJ when he was talking about 'FUCKING' KFAN writing the Twins off at the All-Star break?
Love that live TV
Back To Back AL Central Division Champs!!!!
Can the Twins beat the Yankees?
I saw in the paper today that the three starters slated for the playoff series (Santana, Radke, Lohse) were like 25-5 since the all-star break. The Twins have the best record since the all-star break. I definitely think its a possibility. Even moreso if we can beat Mussina in the first game.
IF memory servers me right didnt the White Sox beat the Yankees just a few days ago? With this in mind, the magic will continue "Sweet Music" :)
what could the White Sox beating the Yankees in the last week of the seaon in a meaningless game possibly mean?
The Yanks are beatable. An easy task, hell no. People need to remember that the Chi Sox were actually a more talented team as well with some big names on their roster. Same with the Yanks and they got beat last year by the Angles. That's what makes it fun to me is that the Twins really don't have the big marquee names. It can be done I just hope the Twins aren't psyched out by the yanks becasue of our record against them. Then again this team is totally different than the one thet played earlier in the year. If Gardy doesn't get manager of the year it would be a shame. Did he win last year ? I suppose if he did they wouldn't give it to him twice.
Tony Pena has to be the manager of the year.
jethro bodine 9/25/03 2:14pm
What ? They going to finish probably third in the ALC. Not that he didn't do a good job but...........
It doesn't matter where a team finishes. It matter what a manager had to work with and what he was able to accomplish. Gardenhire should have had the Twins run away with the division but they didn't. Until the recent 11 game win streak Gardenhire could only have been considered to have done a mediocre job.
I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Finishing third is what I'd call mediocre. They have talent on the Royals too and didn't get it done. It's not how you run the race but how you finish. Sorry for the cliche.
Very little was expected of the Royals. Here is an example: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/2003/spring_training/preview/royals/But they have won 20 more games than they did last year. That is because of Pena. If Pena doesn't get manager of the year in the AL it will be a crime.
jethro bodine 9/25/03 2:57pm
The Vikes weren't supposed to do much this year. Let's say they win around 7% more of their games than last year which is about the percentage the Royals improved. Now let's also suppose the Vikes finished 3rd in their division should Tice win coach of the year ?
I think that Pena did a really good job with the Royals. They were a young ball club that wasn't really expected to contend, and he had them contending for a good portion of the year. I question some of his managerial decisions though, and I think that could hurt him. I think Gardenhire is a strong candidate, but its hard to say. Much was expected of the Twins, and they didn't do as well as expected. They have had a lot of injuries to deal with though. He also brought them back to win the Central when they very well could have packed it in and given up. I think that says something.
Actually the Royals have won about 13% more games this year than last year. As for the Vikes they could still tank.
Twins 1 Yankees 0 after 3
twins 3, yanks 0 after 5 and a half.
Who's pitching for the Twins?
santana started, replaced by reed, romero, and now hawkins is pitching.
mussina's still in for the yanks.
Twins 3 Yankees 0 after 7
Bases loaded and Pierzynski hits into a double play. Damn!
twins win 3-1.
YEAH!
TWINS BEAT THE YANKEES 3-1 IN GAME 1 OF THE ALDS PLAYOFFS!!!
I was getting nervous towards the end there
NEW YORK -- Johan Santana should be ready to pitch again by Sunday. Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire plans to make sure of it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2003/news/story?id=1627260
Good news.
1-1 7th Inning Stretch
Yanks just took the lead :(
4-1 Yanks top of 8th. Ouch!
Twins are gonna blow it!
Shit!
1 win a piece. On to the dome.
Yanks in 4.
Whatever
Shit, Jethro might be right. Yanks win again 3-1 ;(
::head hung low::
jb was right I guess. Twins loose 8-1. The season is over. :-(
Another great regular season Twins!! I'm more bummed that Jethro was right then the Twins loosing today.
How 'bout those Cubs and Red Sox?
Ninety-five years of frustration. Ninety-five years of ridicule. Put it all to rest. The Chicago Cubs are postseason winners.