Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2011 2:19:27 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Minnesota Twins (79-76) @ Chicago White Sox (82-74)[/shadow]
MIN: Rick Porcello (13-10, 4.41 ERA)
CHW: Gavin Floyd (11-11, 4.18 ERA)
While it will be difficult, the Minnesota Twins still harbor playoff hopes, as they stand 2.5 games behind the division leading Chicago White Sox with seven to play.
Beating the White Sox this upcoming series might not be enough, but a sweep would put the team in first place. Too bad the team has only gone 30-37 since the All-Star break, which has kept them in second place.
The White Sox, meanwhile, have owned the stretch run, winning 20 of their last 30 games to surge into first. Gian Guzman has carried the team on his back, with 16 home runs, 51 RBI's, and a .375 average for a truly MVP-worthy final two months. One more week of good play should clinch the division for the White Sox for their second straight AL Central title.
The White Sox have also gotten tremendous production from their closer, Shotgun Cluff. Cluff has an AL-leading 41 saves, and a sparkling 2.54 ERA. The Twins meanwhile are only 11th in runs, and have only four healthy players with double figure home runs. Joe Mauer would have made five, but his hamstring injury will keep him on the sideline this series.
Defensive minded Chris Snyder will start in Mauer's place. He's on his fifth team in four years, and has some pop with six home runs this year. However, his .205 average is well short of Mauer's .357 mark.
Questions for the GM's. For Chris Ojanen, without Joe Mauer, and with Chicago's bullpen as strong as it is, are you going to try and put pressure on Chicago's offense early in the game with steals, bunts, and aggressive baserunning?
Rick Porcello has been your most reliable starter. What do you expect from him.
Your pen has been a disappointment this year. How will you manage the pen this game and series?
For John Templon, what does it say about Gian Guzman that he's been able to carry the team on his back the way he has?
We talked during an earlier Game of the Week about Hilton Richardson possibly moving up in the order. What do you see with him in the nine spot?
Your bullpen has been strong. Do you keep a tighter leash around Gavin Floyd than you normally might?
MIN: Rick Porcello (13-10, 4.41 ERA)
CHW: Gavin Floyd (11-11, 4.18 ERA)
While it will be difficult, the Minnesota Twins still harbor playoff hopes, as they stand 2.5 games behind the division leading Chicago White Sox with seven to play.
Beating the White Sox this upcoming series might not be enough, but a sweep would put the team in first place. Too bad the team has only gone 30-37 since the All-Star break, which has kept them in second place.
The White Sox, meanwhile, have owned the stretch run, winning 20 of their last 30 games to surge into first. Gian Guzman has carried the team on his back, with 16 home runs, 51 RBI's, and a .375 average for a truly MVP-worthy final two months. One more week of good play should clinch the division for the White Sox for their second straight AL Central title.
The White Sox have also gotten tremendous production from their closer, Shotgun Cluff. Cluff has an AL-leading 41 saves, and a sparkling 2.54 ERA. The Twins meanwhile are only 11th in runs, and have only four healthy players with double figure home runs. Joe Mauer would have made five, but his hamstring injury will keep him on the sideline this series.
Defensive minded Chris Snyder will start in Mauer's place. He's on his fifth team in four years, and has some pop with six home runs this year. However, his .205 average is well short of Mauer's .357 mark.
Questions for the GM's. For Chris Ojanen, without Joe Mauer, and with Chicago's bullpen as strong as it is, are you going to try and put pressure on Chicago's offense early in the game with steals, bunts, and aggressive baserunning?
Rick Porcello has been your most reliable starter. What do you expect from him.
Your pen has been a disappointment this year. How will you manage the pen this game and series?
For John Templon, what does it say about Gian Guzman that he's been able to carry the team on his back the way he has?
We talked during an earlier Game of the Week about Hilton Richardson possibly moving up in the order. What do you see with him in the nine spot?
Your bullpen has been strong. Do you keep a tighter leash around Gavin Floyd than you normally might?