Minnesota Twins @ Tampa Bay Devil Rays (May 1-3)

[boblee]

Twins (14-11, 2nd in AL Central) vs. Devil Rays (11-14, 4th in AL East)

-Twins are 2-2 vs. Tampa Bay this year

-Twins went 14-11 in April

-Twins are 6-4 vs. AL East

-Twins are on a 1 game losing streak

Game One, Tuesday, May 1st, 6:10 PM
Sidney Ponson, RHP, (1-3) 8.44 ERA vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP, (0-3) 6.10 ERA

Game Two, Wednesday, May 2nd, 6:10 PM
Boof Bonser, RHP, (0-1) 5.26 ERA vs. Jae Seo, RHP, (1-2) 9.51 ERA

Game Three, Thursday, May 3rd, 6:10 PM
Ramon Ortiz, RHP, (3-1) 2.57 ERA vs. James Shields, RHP, (2-0) 3.75 ERA

[Govs93]

-Twins are on a 1 game losing streak

Game One, Tuesday, May 1st, 6:10 PM
Sidney Ponson, RHP, (1-3) 8.44 ERA vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP, (0-3) 6.10 ERA

Twins will be on a 2 game losing streak after tomorrow night.

They'll be on a 2 game winning streak when they leave Tampa Bay on Friday night.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Sweep

[Bash Brother]

Sweep

You do know Ponson is pitching right?

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

I have faith.

[Neutron 14]

Sids last start? Slow-like-Radke is looking good.

[boblee]

I read yesterday that it is believed that Scott Baker is first in line to get the call.

[State Champ 97]

I read yesterday that it is believed that Scott Baker is first in line to get the call.

I saw that too but I am having a hard time believing it.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Is everyone bailing on Sidney? He's gonna pitch a gem tonight, I'm calling it like Bert does.

[ChrisK]

Is everyone bailing on Sidney? He's gonna pitch a gem tonight, I'm calling it like Bert does.

He is facing a good hitting young lineup, but he might be able to snag the win tonight if Castillo's back in the lineup for the Twins which should pick up their offense.

I'm kind of hoping Slowey gets called up just so I can razz packerboy about the 'new Radke'. Though I do have to say that Ortiz is filling Radke's spot quite well right now.

I think Garza should get the first callup, I think he's got the most upside plus he's already had some time in the majors.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Is everyone bailing on Sidney? He's gonna pitch a gem tonight, I'm calling it like Bert does.

[boblee]

Ponson has been decent tonight, and quite frankly, I am surprised.

[Irishmans Shanty]

Get on board the Pontoon while there's a seat, he's setting sail to carry the staff!

Good pitching, good hitting, good win, well except for Cuddyer's tumble on the way to third.

[TomTheBomb]

Pontoon haha thats great. I'll take a ride...

[Irishmans Shanty]

I can't take credit for Pontoon, one of these other fine posters coined it.
However, I can recognize greatness and after last night there is little doubt in my mind that the double-hulled number 19 is going to make a bid for MLB's "comeback player of the year".

[Neutron 14]

I'm not ready to hop on the Party Barge. I saw way too many fly ball outs for a sinkerball pitcher. As Twins fans we should know how easy it can be some times to make a pitcher look like Cy Young.

I loved Cuddy's version of the Fosbury Flop. That will stay with him his entire career.

[packerboy]

The Pontoon is a 5th starter on a MLB team.

Of all the 5th starters in the league, he is one of them.

I think he is fine.

But I dont understand not putting Garza in that role. I think he could do just as well and gain experience.

I dont understand the cocoon they feel they have to wrap these young pitchers in these days. Sandy Koufax was barely a .500 pitcher his first 5 years. Same with Bob Gibson and there are many other examples.

I think Ponson is a typical if not better than average 5th starter in this league but I think they are missing an opportunity to work young guys in that could do just as well and gain experience for the futrue

[ChrisK]

I think you're right packerboy, but the reason might be financial. If they keep the young guys in Triple A, they're not accruing major league time so they'll be able to keep them longer at a cheaper price after Johan takes the money and runs.

LaVelle had a really good analysis of what Pontoon needed to do to sail through last night:

Ponson has gone away from a aggressive strike-thrower in spring training. People with the club have told me that Ponson is trying to trick batters too much instead of being aggressive. Last week’s start against Kansas City provided such an example.

Ponson fell behind 2-0 to Sweeney then started pumping fastballs. Sweeney began fouling off pitches as the count went to 2-2. Then Ponson throws a change up, and Sweeney knocks it out of the park for a 2-0 Kansas City lead.

The word is going around the league that Sweeney’s bat speed is down. So why throw something offspeed to someone with a slow bat - which someone with the club mentioned to me.

The other problem are too many pitches like the one to David DeJesus in the fifth that turned into a homer. Ponson didn’t the get ball inside enough and watched it sail into the upper deck in right.

So watch tonight how Sidney goes after the D-Rays, a pretty good hitting team so far this season. Watch for how many sinkers he throws and how aggressive he is in the strike zone. It’s fine to mix in a change up - especially when most young hitters get over aggressive - but it’s not Ponson’s best pitch. Watch to see if he’s relaxed. He’s been falling off the mound a lot, a sign he’s overthrowing instead of just letting the ball go.

I didn't see the game last night, did Ponson do what LaVelle suggested or did he just get lucky?

[Neutron 14]

A little of both ChrisK. They were talking about arm angle last night, and when it got too low that his sinker had little movement. He did have 5 K's (2 walks) and appeared to be aggressive throwing strikes, but he had as many fly ball outs as ground outs. Not a good ratio for a sinkerball pitcher.

[DannyCalifornia]

I think PONTOON is a bandaid at the 5th starter spot at best, and for once agree with what packerboy says, bring up Garza and let him throw. the only reason PONTOON is here rt now may be that Ryan is just trying to get Garza some more innings in minors b4 THE PONTOON goes in the tank. nice outing last nt though.

[Irishmans Shanty]

After Gardy was tossed, he was walking back to the dugout without his hat on and the TB announcer said "You know what, Ron Gardenhire looks just like Gallagher after he runs out of fruit".

That announcer would make a fine poster in these waters.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Joe Nathan decided to screw me out of my sweep prediction, but I'm still living high because of Sidney.

Finally got to see Mauer-Morneau with Cuddyer being hurt. Didn't do anything spectacular, but didn't look bad either.

They need to get Punto out of that #2 spot. He is not made for there and just isn't consistent enough to be there.

[boblee]

I am tired of hearing the word "catwalk" associated with a baseball game.

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

I am tired of hearing the word "catwalk" associated with a home runs.

Fixed.