lol punto just actually made his first useful headfirst slide into first since he got under lilly's tag

lol Tolbert batting lead off, jesus this line up is pathetic

Gomez is having a pretty sick game. Hopefully when all our injuries get sorted out Gardy finally realizes that he needs regular ABs.

Ayala moves ahead of Crain in the RH reliever pecking order...

And it's funny, you got a guy who's not good enough to have an everyday starting spot, but when he gets in the lineup because of injury you hit him leadoff, lolz.

Tolbert 3 hits in last 27 AB's. (Does have 6 walks in that period)

Sure would be nice to have started the ninth inning with Nathan or Guerrier...oh wait, we can only use Nathan in save situations like a 3 run lead vs the 7-8-9 hitters or use MattyG 4 days in a row, including 3 straight outings of 1/3 inning so he's not available today.

It all goes back to that game a few days ago where we had to use Henn, Ayala, Mijares, Guerrier and Nathan to get 9 outs with a 3 run lead. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 3 RUN LEAD AND A TIED GAME/ONE RUN LEAD. Henn/Ayala should have finished that game out or Henn/Crain. And then we have MattyG available today.

FIRE GARDY

ldo

How would you guys define a "critical" inning for a bullpen pitcher? Obviously if you come in to a 3-3 game in the 8th it's more critical than if you pitch the 7th in a 9-0 game. I suppose there's 2 factors to consider (at least): the score and the inning. For the score, I would rate 3 runs or less scores the following on a scale of criticalness:

1. Up by one run.
2. Tied
3. Down by one run.
4. Up by 2 runs.
5/6. Up by 3/down by 2
7. Down by 3

Maybe 3 and 4 should be tied? For the moment, I'll use the above scale until shown differently. How would we rate the Twins bullpen top to bottom?

1. Nathan
2. Guerrier
3. Mijares
4. Ayala
5. Crain
6. Henn
7. Dickey

Now in the last week, which Twins relievers have started the most critical of the critical innings of games (games tied or 1 run games)?

6/14 CHI 8th 2-2 Ayala
6/14 CHI 9th 2-2 Crain (blown)
6/11 OAK 9th 3-3 Henn (blown)
6/10 OAK 8th 3-3 Mijares
6/06 SEA 8th 1-1 Henn (blown)
6/10 OAK 7th 2-3 Ayala
6/08 OAK 7th 3-4 Henn
6/08 OAK 8th 3-4 Henn

2 run lead/deficit innings started by relievers in the last week:

6/13 CHI 8th 2-0 Guerrier
6/13 CHI 9th 2-0 Nathan
6/12 CHI 7th 5-3 Henn
6/07 SEA 7th 2-4 Dickey
6/07 SEA 8th 2-4 Crain

So, in our last 13 opportunities, we've used our top 3 guys 3 times total, once each, to start the important innings.

I'm not as low on Dickey as you are and would give Henn an INC(omplete) so far because he's only pitched 10 innings for us. Dickey OTOH has been doing a solid job in long relief lately with an ERA of 0.98 with 15 K's in his last seven outings. Small sample size I know, but I'm really starting to warm to him in that role.

I would take Henn out of the ratings and switch Crain and Dickey.

I should rephrase that. It's not my ranking. I think that's how Gardy sees them. But the main point being we can probably agree on on the top 3 guys and that there's a gap between top 3 and bottom 4 right now.

And you mentioning Crain being last in the pecking order, which is probably legit right now, makes me even more grumpier over today's game and the old school mentality. At the time of the 9th today, it's the most critical inning for the bullpen. No inning afterwards matters because if we don't get a scoreless 9th the game is over.

Was in Chicago for the series. I only went to the Friday game but it was awesome weekend all around. I was amazed by how many Twins fans were at the game Friday and just around town all weekend.

Was there as well, only went to Sunday. Wrigleyville was def Twins Territory (as corny as that sounds) this weekend. It was such an unreal awesome weekend.

"Down the" Crain imo.

the fact that crain was in to start the 9th, and then STAYED IN with the bases loaded and 1 out was just horrible. i know that nathan pitched the last 2 games and guerrier has pitched a lot lately, but, like you said, they were in in relatively unimportant situations.

i mean, christ, in that situation i would've pulled out all stops. i would've even considered putting in a starter if i thought he was ready to go and could do the job best. (not that i think there was anyone like that available - i just mean, what the **** are you doing leaving crain in?)

also, why send down swarzak? move him to the pen and he's immediately your 3rd or 4th best RP

Dick: Kubel being waived around third...
Me: WHAT!#@!@!*@!&*

I don't recall Ulger making many mistakes this year so we can cut him some slack; but I thought that was a poor decision with 0 out (esp with the hot hot hot Delmon Young coming up).

Speaking of Delmon, is it just me or did he move closer to the plate in his stance?

In other news, Perkins off the DL, Jesse Crain sent to AAA!?!, Crede and Cuddyer both in the lineup and Span had a dr appt this afternoon and may go on DL tomorrow depending on what went on there.

2nd career HR and Nyjer hollywoods it like Bonds. sheesh.

Lol, the only way DY will ever rob a home run.

Mauer 3-3 3 hard singles up the middle.

Sick lol Metrodome RBI double for Crede

vhawk, it might be time for your thread...

How many games a year do you think the new stadium will cost the Twins in the W-L department??

I'm thinking roughly 3-5

OK Gardy, 3 inning save for Dickey here should be the plan...Nobody else needs an inning of "work"

Given the added payroll promised, I think you're way off.

I really think Mauer can hit .400. It just seems like he's impossible to get out this season and is always hitting the ball hard.

Dick Bremer already can't control himself when Mauer is contending for a batting title though, I'd hate to see what he's like the last month or two if Mauer is actually flirting with .400.

given the way you answered the question your thinking is "way off"

obviously what im asking is if all things are the same how many games does the new stadium cost you, since you obviously have a huge edge there due to playing surface.

you cant take into account adding players to the twins. thats just LOL and goes against the point of the question.