The big day is finally here! We are shortly to have BASEBALL in Minnesota again! Yes, we are playing the Angels.. yes, that means the return of Torii Hunter. It also means we are visited by the likes of CJ Wilson (yum) and Albert Pujols (yikes) and what is likely to be one of the toughest teams in baseball this year. The Angels spent a FORTUNE this off-season in an attempt to be one of the toughest teams in baseball so unless the wheels fall off the bus early for them, this is likely to be a challenge our somewhat inconsistent defense isn’t quite ready for yet.
ASIDE: Most of you know that I am willing to give a lot of leeway on BA if the glove-work is on point. Yeah, my bias is clear in that I’m just not willing to go the other way. I will look crosswise at any player who thinks that big hits will makeup for shoddy fielding. It’s just how I am. Call me the balance of all those who love the long bomb no matter what. So to a couple of our new guys: I am definitely intrigued by what you have to offer but get your shit together in the field or we’ll have to have a chat.
Back to positive thinking. Yes, it turns out the Twins ARE having an impact on opposing teams. Even CJ Wilson is exclaiming on how impressive Target Field is.. now if only they were intimidated by it. But despite the finally having March weather now that April is here, it should be a really nice day for afternoon baseball! I wonder how many of us are taking sick days to either be at the park or otherwise having the time to watch the game. I’m lucky enough to be “working” from/at/on home so I know what I get to do! I might be a horrible fan but I’ve gotten to the stage in my life where I don’t really enjoy attending the Home Opener anymore. Yes, it’s a fantastic atmosphere but if you are there to actually WATCH baseball, you have to contend with a lot of bandwagon/casual/not fans who are just there because it’s a special day and really don’t care about the game at all. It’s kind of a pain in the patooter. The only thing that I think I am kind of wishing I was participating in is the celebration of the 2002 playoff team.. (although I think that is a really weak excuse to have a player reunion/celebration,) It’s fun to see the likes of Dougie Baseball (he’s still my baseball first love) return to Minnesota and remind Minnesotans that the Twins have far exceeded our expectations in previous years so here’s hoping they can do it again this year!
Let’s hope the Twins are able to get a nice restart after that not-so-successful first series against the Orioles.
| LA Angels |
@ |
Minnesota |
| Aybar, SS | Span, CF | |
| Kendrick, H, 2B | Carroll, SS | |
| Pujols, 1B | Mauer, 1B | |
| Morales, K, DH | Morneau, DH | |
| Hunter, To, RF | Willingham, LF | |
| Abreu, LF | Doumit, C | |
| Callaspo, 3B | Valencia, 3B | |
| Iannetta, C | Plouffe, RF | |
| Bourjos, CF | Casilla, A, 2B | |
| Wilson, C, P | Blackburn, P |
| LA Angels | ||||||||||||
| Minnesota |
Well according to Rhett Bollinger, this is only the 3rd time in team history that the Twins have started the season 0-4… I don’t know what happened in the rest of the other two seasons but I’m afraid to go find out.
There were a couple good things to point out – Willy hit yet another HR – just an inning too late to multiple RBI. And actually, Blackburn pitched a pretty darn good game. The first inning was rough but he really settled down and pitched great after that. Sadly, it was mostly the fielding that let us down.. again. Seriously guys, get your shit together.
But to end on a positive note, check out his fantastic grab by Blackburn since this infielding was letting him down: Blackburn with a fantastic behind-the-back nab!