The pressure is on for the Chicago White Sox.
They know that this week's three-game series against the Twins represents their last gasp for a postseason berth. It's the last time the Sox will face the team they trail by six games in the AL Central standings, and unless they can sweep the series and cut that sizable deficit in half, they're sunk. Erasing a deficit of five or more games with only 16 left to play borders on impossible when you've got no games left against the team you're chasing (particularly said team hasn't lost consecutive games in almost three weeks).
Ozzie Guillen recognizes the magnitude of this series. He started John Danks on short rest last week, setting up his rotation in advance so that the White Sox would be able to throw their three best starters at the Twins (not including Edwin Jackson, who was one of the league's hottest pitcherrs until he got roughed up by the Royals this weekend).
On the bright side, the Twins will also be trotting out their top three starters this week. Francisco Liriano, Brian Duensing and Carl Pavano will likely be the Ron Gardenhire's first three choices in a playoff series (though not in that order), so the Twins will hardly be overmatched. This might also be the last opportunity for those pitchers to brush up against quality competition in meaningful games, because the Twins won't face another above-average opponent until their season-ending four-game series against the Blue Jays at Target Field, by which point the division might be locked up and Gardenhire might already be resting up his top starters for the ALDS.
A few weeks ago, this series stood out as one that might decide the fates of both of these teams. As it stands, the Twins have played well enough over the past few weeks to place all the pressure squarely on the shoulders of the White Sox. Even with a home sweep, the Sox will still have a tough uphill battle in front of them if they want to overcome the Twins. Without a sweep, their season is essentially over.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
i heart brian duensing.
The sox? What about the Yanks and Rays? The twins are quietly closing the gap for the overall AL lead. Home field at Target field? Anybody else with me?
Caught a bit of Baseball Tonight last night, which should have been called "Yankees/Rays Tonight". I love how Kruk and whoever the other two meatheads didn't only frame the series as the ALCS preview, but were already running through potential pitching matchups. It was as if NY/TB were the only 2 teams in the league.
Sad that that passes as baseball analysis these days.
I love how Kruk and whoever the other two meatheads didn't only frame the series as the ALCS preview, but were already running through potential pitching matchups.
What is particularly funny about the BBTN "analysts" assuming this Yankees/Rays series is an ALCS preview is that it comes immediately after a Rangers sweep of the Yankees.
ESPN is the biggest joke in the history of sports.
Well, based on the Twinkies recent abysmal playoff performances and a rare appearance by a Texas team, can you blame ESPN talking heads to confab about a realistic ALCS scenario?
Well, based on the Twinkies recent abysmal playoff performances and a rare appearance by a Texas team, can you blame ESPN talking heads to confab about a realistic ALCS scenario?
Last year's Twins team was a different team in a different situation. They had to fight tooth and nail to make it to the one game tiebreaker. Fought through an emotional up and down 12 inning game and had to fly to New York that night and play the next day tired and without their best starting pitching.
THIS YEAR, the Twins have a very good chance to finish with the best record in baseball, which means homefield advantage throughout playoffs (Twins have the best home record in baseball) and they're doing it without Morneau. On that note, Morneau expects to be back before the end of the season (so look the F*** out!!!). Our starting rotation is much improved over last year, we arguably have one of the best bullpens in the game.
So don't make comparisons to last year, this is a much better team than last year's and in a much better situation.
I have a sneaking suspician that Morneau will be back for the playoffs. I think the Twins are just being really quiet with that situation. If the Twins can finish the season with the best winning record (and there is no reason why they should not) thereby getting home field advantage, plus get Morneau back, I agree, watch the f*** out!
Anon 10:07,
It's the most likely matchup, I agree. With these guys, though, it was like the ALDS had already been played. I think Kruk actually said "Tonight's game was a preview of the ALCS." Not a "potential" or "possible" preview. Like it's a given.
I'm guessing one of the NY/TB games is on ESPN this week, which is why they are touting it as such. Sad to see how much (and how quickly) that network has devolved from quality sports journalism into shameless self-promotion.
i heard it is morneau's neck that is messed up and it is more serious than a concussion. i don't think he will be back this year if ever.
Well, as the great Shang Tsung would probably say...
FINISH THEM!
Has Gardy said what his playoff starting pitching order would be? Very, very doubtful that its been discussed publicly. I could see Liriano starting game 1 at home if he finishes strong.
This is crazy messed up but our starting playoff rotation should be, and in this order:
Liriano, Pavano, Duensing, Blackburn.
If Baker is back in time I'd give him a sniff because his post all star break numbers are very strong. Slowey probably is long relief at this point but the guy gets so much run support maybe we need him in the dugout cheering.
I'd go Pavano, Liriano, Duensing, Pavano, Liriano. You can trot Carl out on 3 days rest and then you don't have to throw out one of our BP pitchers. Plus I don't trust Frankie keeping his emotions in check in a Game 1 atmosphere - major meltdown potential there.
I'm really wondering on all this!
Post a Comment