Can it get any worse?

[goldy313]

This is a big series, the Twins are 1-11 against teams not from Kansas City on the road so far this year. Silva and Radke are both coming off of their best starts of the season and the Twins need that to continue. A little momentum with Chicago coming to town next weekend will be good for the team and the turnstiles. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

They need to out and win some road games. The only way to do that is with good starting pitching. <br><br>The team is built around the assumption that there is a good starting rotation in place. If that assumption turns out to be false, it will be an under .500 season. <br><br>They dont have the offense to compete <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>unless</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> their pitching is very good. <p></p><i></i>

[ChrisK]

I'm with packerboy, 85 wins seems likely. I think they'll be fighting with Detroit for 3rd place. It's surprising how much difference a new manager can make but apparently Leyland has really lit a fire under the Tigers.<br><br>It was nice to see them win the series this weekend, I'm back watching again. The starting pitching is key and according to the Strib the Twins' pitching coach found a flaw in Silva's delivery so hopefully he'll turn things around from that awful April.<br><br>I'd like to see Morneau turn things around too, his average is down to .203 and he hasn't had 2 hits in a game since mid-April. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

The Twins are NOT going to be an 85 win team in '06. This lack of optimism is not a knee jerk reaction to a 6-4 loss to Texas, rather, it is an observation based on a body of work that says they have trailed in 30 of 32 games. If the Twins win 85 games this year and continue their trend of falling behind, they will shatter any modern day professional sports records for come from behind wins. <br><br>I believe the basic problem that has been in existence since last year's all star break is the fact that no player put into Gardy's batting order has single-handedly carried this team for any stretch of time offensively. I don't think anyone is expecting career numbers from anyone on their forty man roster, but it would be nice to see somebody go off for at least one weekend. For example, when was the last time a Twin hitter has done anything resembling what Magglio did this weekend, or what Adam Kennedy does against the Twins everytime they play him? What if Joe Mauer is 3x4 tonight with a 3rd inning three run shot and a 9th inning 2 run shot? Tommorow he hits a 2 run bomb in the first to put the Rangers down before they even get to the bat rack. Why not Mauer this series, Morneau on the weekend, and Rondell White next week? What if Rondell has an April like Chris Shelton, is Shelton going to hit 45, No way, but he carried a team for a short time. Is Kevin Mench's bigger shoe size going to lead to triple crown stats? No way, but he carried the team for a week. One to nine, I for the most part like the line- up, but somebody needs to be excellent from time to time and it just hasn't happened. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

But IS , is offense their problem? They are in the middle of the league in runs scored. Are we expecting this team to score 7 to beat Texas?<br><br>The probelm is with ChrisK's good buddy and hero Brad Radke and the other pitchers. Radke is incapable of a quality start against a good team. <br><br>Id like to see somebody get hot too, if for no other reason than it would be entertaining. <br><br><br>Last year, Id turn on the game at 8:30 and nobody had scored yet. Now, everytime I turn on the game at 8:30 they have already given up 6. <br><br>I think the offense is good enough with last years pitching. With this years pitching, its ugly. <p></p><i></i>

[ChrisK]

For April you can blame the pitching, Silva and Radke were awful and the other starters weren't much better. Even though they're in the middle of the pack in runs scored the middle of the lineup has been soft, I mean they've got Torii Hunter hitting cleanup. White and Batista have been lousy to mediocre and Morneau still hasn't made the jump so they really haven't gotten the production from the hitters that they expected.<br><br>Santana appears to have turned it around, but the other starters need to pick up the slack. We'll see how Silva does tonight, maybe he's turned it around, but "my hero" Radke had another bad one last night.<br><br>Anyone see Reusse's column on Sunday? He felt the Twins had shown enough that they should have a fire sale and unload Torii Hunter, Shannon Stewart, Kyle Lohse and Rondell White. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

The Twins are 26th in runs scored, 27th in OBP, and 25th in slugging. The offense can definitely take part of the blame in this case, although the pitching has really been the Achilles heel. The top 3 hitters are the only ones getting anything done, although Hunter has come on of late and the addition of Cuddyer in the lineup has been a good move. Morneau, White, and Batista all need to pick it up if this team is going to approach the 85 win mark. <br><br>I did see Reusse's column, but I don't pay much attention to him. He would move all Minnesota teams if he had the chance. I understand his job is probably to spark controversy with the readers, but he reports with as little class and humor as anyone I have ever seen. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

So Chris, how long do you keep sending this Radke guy out there against anybody except KC?<br><br>I mean, Brett Boone, the big hero of the posters and Ryans 'no brainer' from last year, could get a hit off him.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[ChrisK]

Blue Breeze, are we talking about the same guy?? Are you sure you haven't been reading Sid Hartman's columns misprinted under Reusse's name by mistake?? Reusse has a wicked sense of humor and is an excellent writer. On top of that, he knows his baseball.<br><br>Good question packerboy, regarding Radke. Heck, I'd be digging in against him right now. According to the paper Lohse is in the hot seat right now, if his next start is bad we might see Liriano. That makes sense as Lohse doesn't have the track record of Radke. It really depends with Radke, if he gets shelled in his next two starts I'd have to think about doing something, but if he does OK in like 2 out 4 starts I'd keep sending him out there. <p></p><i></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Yes, Sid needs to go, but I was referring to Reusse. Perhaps most of my opinion is formed on the false facts he keeps throwing out there about the Gopher hockey team and his blatant hatred of Don Lucia. Personally I can't stand the guy and refuse to read his columns, but hey, if he works for you, I have no quarrels with you enjoying him. I'm not going to deny his ability to write.<br><br>If Lohse has a bad outing tomorrow, you have to get Liriano in there. The Twins can't afford to have any more outings like the ones Lohse has been giving them. I was with ya ChrisK in the backing of Radke, but it's hard to make any arguments in his favor anymore. Coming into this year, he had been nothing but a reliable starting pitcher, this year he is just getting shelled. If his struggles continue, it may be time to fill his spot as well. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

ended up being a nice game to watch silva picked up the win without a quality start...but the offense was there tonight liriano picked up his first career save..morneau hit 2 homers final score 15-5 <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... terfry9</A> at: 5/9/06 9:05 pm<br></i>

[Blue Breeze]

Really nice to see Morneau hit the ball well tonight, he is the key to the success of this team, if he can be a threat in the middle of the order, then we can be competitive. White has been much better as of late too.<br><br>It becomes more apparent with each game that Liriano has to be in the rotation. The only person I wouldn't put him in for in our rotation is Santana, I think he could immediately be our 2nd best starter. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

dick and bert made it sound like that if lohse has another bad outing his next time out that they are more then likely going to be putting liriano in the rotation for lohse and have denny reyes be the left hander in the bullpen is how i interpreted it..but who knows when they will decide to do something <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

I agree with Blue Breeze that Liriano should be in the rotation. <br><br>The issue is: Who do you pull? Lohse? He has pitched better than Radke and Silva. <br><br><br>If , I mean when, Radke has another bad outing, how do you look Lohse in the eyes and say 'you are out'. Gardy is in a tough spot. <br> <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p100.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUserP ... ckerboy</A> at: 5/10/06 9:06 am<br></i>

[ChrisK]

I don't think it's too hard a decision for Gardenhire, Lohse's ERA is almost two runs worse than Radke's (9.71 v. 7.75), Lohse has had two good starts and Radke one. The big thing is that Radke has worked himself out of this kind of situation before, Lohse has not. If Lohse is bumped from the rotation it will be interesting to see how he handles it, hopefully Gardenhire won't need to get his office door replaced again.<br><br>Good to see Silva pick up the win, although he didn't have what's considered a quality start, 6.0 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 1 K, 0 BB.<br><br>Also, Cuddyer has been a nice surprise, he's hitting .343 and has the highest OPS on the team right now. Morneau raised his BA almost 20 points with last night's game and it looks like he's putting the ball all over the place in this series, in fact one of his home runs was to center field. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

kyle lohse had a nice outing today 6ip 6hits 1er 4bb 6k<br>nathan got in the 9th with the lead and shut down the heart of the rangers order for the 4-3 win <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

The Twins have quietly won 6 of 9. The recent winning snap is primarily due to some multiple hit games by one Torii Hunter. Morneau, Cuddyer, and Mauer can also be blamed for some recent offensive production as well. As for Castillo, White, Batista, Ford, Castro, and Stewart, they seem to be auditioning for a role as the Invisible Man in some future Broadway production. Basically what I am trying to say is that all of them don't have to hit all the time. To win a few more than you loose, you just need a few guys to bone up and lead the way for a stretch. Next week, Stewart, White, and Castillo can lead the charge and Torii and Cuddyer can fall back to their career averages. <br><br>As I have stated before, I don't hate the lineup, I just want someone to do something excellent once in a while, as in Morneau's 6 RBI game, Cuddyer's 3 hit game, and Hunter's hot stretch. <br><br>As for the pitching, the Liriano era is coming. When and who he replaces still need to be determined. Don't be shocked to see Baker as the odd man out. The Twins are NOT going to "designate for assignment" or move a 4-9 million dollar man to middle relief. Not last year, not this year, not next year, not ever. If the organization can not trade a Radke, Silva, or Lohse, they will continue to run that trio out to the bump. Look no further than the Joe Mays situation last year, how many starts did they give him when it was apparent to all he couldn't go anymore? If the Mays situation isn't enough evidence, do you remember Rick Reed? Pat Mahomes? Willie Banks? Frankie Rodriguez? <p></p><i></i>

[ChrisK]

Shanty, stop! I've got baseballs whizzing past my head.<br><br>The Twins start a four game series against the Chisox tonight and although it is still early this is a big series for the Twins. They haven't looked competitive against the White Sox for over a year, so winning this series would be good for their confidence. <p></p><i></i>

[packerboy]

Ok, so WHEN Radke gets shelled by the Sox, you insert Liriano in the rotation and jerk Lohse or Baker? <br><br>If they do that, I am not buying another ticket.<br><br>Lohse has pitched better than 9 millon dollar boy and Baker is a legitimate prospect. If they continue to send Radke out there, they are hurting the team and their credibility as baseball people. <br><br>I admit to being anti Radke. He really fried me last year when he was getting hit hard and he blamed the team's woes on Ryan and the third base coaching. <br><br>But the guy is over with as even his most staunch supporters are admitting. Long relief for Radke and every 5th day for Liriano. <p></p><i></i>

[Irishmans Shanty]

After Radke and Silva each fail to record 9 outs in back to back outings, Twins management will start moving pieces. Look for a desperate Yankee club to mortgage some of its future to acquire a replacement for the injured Hideki Matsui. Yankee people remember the catch Stewart made by the Kodak sign in the 9th inning of game 1 a few years ago. Yes, Stewart will provide a different kind of offense than Matsui, but right now the Yanks will take best available. Stewart can't throw, but neither could Matsui. <p></p><i></i>

[sterfry9]

twins lose tonight 7-4 lohse went 2.2ip 6hits 5earned 1bb 3ks
luis castillo went 3-3