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Post by Deleted on Sept 7, 2011 22:27:15 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Minnesota Twins (25-21) @ Chicago White Sox (21-25)[/shadow]
MIN: Jon Lester (4-2, 3.80 ERA) CHI: Felipe Paulino (3-3, 3.98 ERA)
After early April struggles, Felipe Paulino has been sharp since a dud outing against Seattle during the White Sox' previous Game of the Week. He has an ERA of 3.00 since then, with a 2-1 record. Chicago has won four of his last five starts.
However, Chicago hasn't followed Paulino's lead and has lost 13 of 21 games coming into their divisional matchup with Minnesota. The White Sox find themselves in an early hole, down six games to Detroit for the division. While it's still early, the Tigers don't appear to be a fluke, and giving them too large a margin may be impossible to come back from.
Of course, with Paulino pitching better, the White Sox are in great shape because their struggles have nothing to do with their offense. Chicago is first in just about every offensive category except steals, as virtually everybody is hitting. The White Sox have the top three hitters in the AL in OPS, and that doesn't even include league home run leader, Sean Rodriguez. Eiichi Maeda, Gian Guzman, and Nick Weglarz each have an OPS above 1.000, spearheading the team's .832 OPS, best in the league by 43 points. In short, the team's offense is nearly unstoppable.
However, after a dismal start which saw them get swept by the White Sox, Minnesota has played good baseball, going 21-10 in the team's last 31 games. Jon Lester has been a huge reason for that success. After a poor initial two starts as a Twin, the former Red Sox Cy Young winner has been much better over his last seven appearances, and the Twins have won six of those starts.
Their own offense isn't too shabby, relying on young star Boss Moanaroa, who leads the league with 46 RBI's, as well as catching great Joe Mauer, who is again hitting over .300 with power. With their own ace matching up against the White Sox, this is a great chance for Minnesota to take the series for Chicago.
Questions for the GM's:
For Chris Ojanen, you scheduled mightily to begin the season, getting swept by the White Sox to begin 2015. Since then, you've played better, including a well-pitched win against Chicago yesterday by Kyle Gibson. What has been the biggest difference between now and the beginning of the year?
You've remade your bullpen from the trading deadline last season to now. What was your mindset with the guys you've brought in, and how would you say the moves have worked?
While he played well yesterday, Jason Bartlett has struggled at the top of the order. Will you keep batting him second if he doesn't pick up his play?
For Jason Wilson, your hitting has been amazing, but your team can't pitch. Do you perhaps think of moving a hitter to pick up a pitcher?
Nick Weglarz has pulverized opposing pitching in May while Brock Kjeldgaard has struggled with his average. What's your take on the middle of your order and how it's arranged?
Is Sean Rodriguez one of the game's most under-appreciated hitters?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2011 9:17:01 GMT -5
For Chris Ojanen, you scheduled mightily to begin the season, getting swept by the White Sox to begin 2015. Since then, you've played better, including a well-pitched win against Chicago yesterday by Kyle Gibson. What has been the biggest difference between now and the beginning of the year?
We've seem to come out of the gates slow more often than not. Plus we made a couple acqusitions right before the season started with Bartlett and Chisenhall. I think it took a bit for the team to gel and now we are starting to hit our stride. Plus Gibson opted for facial reconstruction surgery in the offseason. Now he looks a little less alien and a little more inbred. Not sure if that was the right move, though.
You've remade your bullpen from the trading deadline last season to now. What was your mindset with the guys you've brought in, and how would you say the moves have worked?
We wanted to bring in some hard throwing, veteran guys with the hope that they'll help us hold the lead late in games, an area which we struggled last year. We've had mixed results so far. Bard's been great, but we're still blowing some leads late. I see enough that I don't anticipate it being a recurring theme this year.
While he played well yesterday, Jason Bartlett has struggled at the top of the order. Will you keep batting him second if he doesn't pick up his play
We moved Bartlett to the 2 spot with the injury to Dozier. Dozier will be back later this week and he'll slide back to the 2 hole and Bartlett will move back to 7th starting today.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2011 9:43:30 GMT -5
For Chris Ojanen, you scheduled mightily to begin the season, getting swept by the White Sox to begin 2015. Since then, you've played better, including a well-pitched win against Chicago yesterday by Kyle Gibson. What has been the biggest difference between now and the beginning of the year?We've seem to come out of the gates slow more often than not. Plus we made a couple acqusitions right before the season started with Bartlett and Chisenhall. I think it took a bit for the team to gel and now we are starting to hit our stride. Plus Gibson opted for facial reconstruction surgery in the offseason. Now he looks a little less alien and a little more inbred. Not sure if that was the right move, though.You've remade your bullpen from the trading deadline last season to now. What was your mindset with the guys you've brought in, and how would you say the moves have worked?We wanted to bring in some hard throwing, veteran guys with the hope that they'll help us hold the lead late in games, an area which we struggled last year. We've had mixed results so far. Bard's been great, but we're still blowing some leads late. I see enough that I don't anticipate it being a recurring theme this year. While he played well yesterday, Jason Bartlett has struggled at the top of the order. Will you keep batting him second if he doesn't pick up his playWe moved Bartlett to the 2 spot with the injury to Dozier. Dozier will be back later this week and he'll slide back to the 2 hole and Bartlett will move back to 7th starting today. LMAO! I miss mutant alien Gibson! Curse all these facegen resets!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2011 17:29:41 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Minnesota Twins (25-21) @ Chicago White Sox (21-25)[/shadow]MIN: Jon Lester (4-2, 3.80 ERA) CHI: Felipe Paulino (3-3, 3.98 ERA)For Jason Wilson, your hitting has been amazing, but your team can't pitch. Do you perhaps think of moving a hitter to pick up a pitcher? Nick Weglarz has pulverized opposing pitching in May while Brock Kjeldgaard has struggled with his average. What's your take on the middle of your order and how it's arranged? Is Sean Rodriguez one of the game's most under-appreciated hitters? For Jason Wilson, your hitting has been amazing, but your team can't pitch. Do you perhaps think of moving a hitter to pick up a pitcher?I'm not prepared to move a hitter just yet until after Rich Harden is back in the rotation - there is reason enough to move Hilton Richardson - but I'm sure he won't bring enough in return to help me - but I'm remaining patient at this point.Nick Weglarz has pulverized opposing pitching in May while Brock Kjeldgaard has struggled with his average. What's your take on the middle of your order and how it's arranged?I have had thoughts of moving Welgarz up in the lineup - but he does provide a spark in the bottom half of the lineup that is working right now - I'm not interested in switching things around just yet with the way the lineup is hitting right now - that part isnt broke wiht this team - pitching is the priority right now.Is Sean Rodriguez one of the game's most under-appreciated hitters?Yeah - I said before the season started that Rodriguez was a top 2B at a thin position. The best 2B in the game are in the American League - so he is over shadowed a bit in the AL - but he is a top 5 2B right now in the majors. Rodirguez brings a Gold Glove caliber glove and is the best power hitting 2B in the game today - currently leads the AL in home runs. Look for a big year from Rodriguez.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2011 10:03:23 GMT -5
Postgame Wrap
White Sox 5 - Twins 2
The White Sox starting pitching has been an abomination throughout the season. Turning the ball over to the bullpen early may not have been such a bad turn of events.
Six Chicago relievers combined to allow one run on two hits in 5 innings of work, and the White Sox beat the Twins 5-2 on Monday.
Felipe Paulino started and pitched well for the White Sox, allowing just two singles, one an infield variety, and one run in 4 innings of work. However, after completing his fourth inning of work, he complained of pain in his elbow after the start and was lifted for Fernando Rodriguez.
Justin Berg pitched a scoreless inning for the win.
Meanwhile, Chicago's bats were potent late. A.J. Casario led off the seventh by blasting a tie-breaking home run off Jon Lester. An RBI double by up-and-coming star Eiichi Maeda and a bases loaded walk to Sean Rodriguez capped the scoring in the eighth.
Kyle Bellamy worked the ninth for Chicago, earning his second save.
Minnesota's best hitters stepped up. Ben Revere singled and scores, Boss Moanaroa extended his AL RBI-lead with his 47th run driven in, and Joe Mauer had two hits and an RBI. However, the rest of the Minnesota lineup went 0-19 with a walk, a pathetic feat.
The rubber game is tomorrow.
Questions for the GM's
For Chris Ojanen, Elliott Johnson had extended playing time last season and was terrible, and starting out his Twins career with an 0-4. Assess his performance and what you think you can get out of him.
Your secondary hitters went 0-19 in the game. What can you do to supplement Mauer and Moanaroa in the middle?
When Paulino went down, were you excited or relieved?
For Jason Wilson, your bullpen collaborated on a total team effort to shut down the Twins, and Paulino had a sharp start as well. Talk about your team's pitching.
Eiichi Maeda had three more hits and an RBI double. Where does he stand in the pantheon of shortstops playing the game today?
You gave Nick Weglarz are breather for the game. Was that a case of sitting him against a tough lefty in Lester, or just standard rest?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2011 17:29:17 GMT -5
Postgame WrapWhite Sox 5 - Twins 2For Jason Wilson, your bullpen collaborated on a total team effort to shut down the Twins, and Paulino had a sharp start as well. Talk about your team's pitching. Eiichi Maeda had three more hits and an RBI double. Where does he stand in the pantheon of shortstops playing the game today? You gave Nick Weglarz are breather for the game. Was that a case of sitting him against a tough lefty in Lester, or just standard rest? For Jason Wilson, your bullpen collaborated on a total team effort to shut down the Twins, and Paulino had a sharp start as well. Talk about your team's pitching.Well - our starting pitching is in shambles with our best three starters on the DL - that really hurt our chances to compete this year - luckily we get Rich Harden back soon - he is on a rehab assignment in AAA right now. Our bullpen isnt much better either - so there are some upgardes to be made before we can compete with the Detroit Tigers - they have a solid team in pitching and hitting. Eiichi Maeda had three more hits and an RBI double. Where does he stand in the pantheon of shortstops playing the game today?What Eiichi does really well is get on base. He doesnt have much pop - but that isnt what his role demands - he gets on base and can get around the base paths to score. Where he stands with the rest of the league - that is still to be determined - but I expect to see him represent the AL in the All-Star game - if that is any measure how good he has been this year.You gave Nick Weglarz are breather for the game. Was that a case of sitting him against a tough lefty in Lester, or just standard rest?That was just a standard day off - we have to be smart with him and not tire him out - we need his bat throughout he whole summer - we don't want him to wear down at the end fo the year - this day off was scheduled before we knew who was pitching the game.
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