Twins Chances
- Thread starter hobbsfan27
- Start date
Mentally this season has been tough, physically I've liked the signs I've seen lately, last season and early this season Liriano was throwing around 90-93 mph fastballs recently he's been hitting a little higher, same with his slider. If he can locate his pitches a bit better next year I feel it will fall back in to place. He probably won't return to 2006 levels but 2008 type performances can easily occur.
I would think that he DH's Mauer and puts Morales behind the dish in game 2. Basically they just trade spots as I assume that Morales is in the lineup against Verlander as he had had some good at bats against him. It keeps Mauer's legs fresh to catch games 3 & 4. Morales and and Duensing work well together as they have paired up many times during their minor league days. The downside is controlling the run game without Mauer, but it's probably the best option. The Tigers have to deal with the same issues.
Agreed, but the Tigers have been basically splitting starts with Laird and Avila since early August. Laird catches 3, then Avila 2 is usually how it's been playing out.
Had to do with the tickets in this rain out situation. Tonights tickets are good for the first game tomorrow, then you need the Tuesday night tickets for the second game. They need to allow time to clear out the stadium and allow for potential extra innings.
Exactly. Mauer's playing in both games today. Redmond will likely catch while Mauer does DH duty in the first game, and Mauer catches in the nightcap, or vice versa. Mauer doesn't catch both games because he likely physically can't, but you're not sitting him the entire first game when you need his bat, especially when the Twins have Mijares available to them.
As far as Mauer being the best catcher in the game, no, he's not. That designation clearly goes to Yadier Molina (yeah, his bat isn't nearly as good as Mauer's, but he's still a ~.300 hitter and his defense is significantly better - baserunners steal - or even lead off - on this guy at their own peril). Although he is ONE of the best catchers in the game, Redmond is no slouch either, and he plays enough where I'm pretty sure all of the pitchers are comfortable throwing to him as well.
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They might have played it differently earlier in the season, or if this series was meaningless, but with the Twins 2 games behind the Tigers, this series' outcome directly determines which team will win this division.
Lineups have been posted for game one. Thank god for my sales job and ability to play hooky for this one.
Tigers' lineup for first game of day-night doubleheader | Detroit Tigers - - MLive.com
Tigers' lineup for first game of day-night doubleheader | Detroit Tigers - - MLive.com
Disagree. The way i see it, who would you rather have catching for your team? Molina or Mauer? Ask 30 managers, and i guarantee you they all answer the same.
As much as I like having Redmond on the team, age has caught up to him this year. Teams ran wild on him this year as he has only thrown out 5 of 40 base runners YTD. Granted, much of the blame lies with the Twins young pitching staff as they have problems with holding runners on base. Duensing is the primary exception, but most of the staff don't have good moves or quick releases to the plate. Redmond is great in the clubhouse and can still poke an occasional single to the opposite field, but his effective playing days are coming to an end.
Mauer has thrown out 19 of 72 this year while Morales surprisingly has nailed 8 of 26. I will really be surprised if Morales doesn't catch game 2 today. Compared to Redmond, he is more of a threat at the plate, throws better, and has a better chemistry working with Duensing.
Honestly? I'd rather have Molina (or, in the Twins' case, Mijares) catching and Mauer out in the field, which seems to be the long term plan if Mauer sticks with the Twins. Mauer is an anomaly right now in the fact that he's a batting champion while catching. But the longer the Twins keep him behind the plate, the quicker his batting skills are going to degrade. Mauer's greatest asset is what he does AT the plate, not BEHIND it.
The guys that try to hang on at catcher are either being ego maniacs trying to prove something, or afraid of other positions on the field. He needs to move sooner than later for the reasons you indicate. Worked out ok for Craig Biggio.
Go Twins!
Seriously? I really thought Mauer was one of the best defensive catchers in baseball too.
Joe Mauer is one of the best players in ALL of baseball right now. Any position, any team. A catcher is about to (hopefully) win his 3rd batting title in 5 years. That's crazy.
I see your point, but it is not like catching has hurt Mauer yet. He's having his best season, flirted with .400 a few different times this year, is hitting for decent power all while catching.
