Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Twins Clinch AL Central Title
The Twins had to wait to see if the A's would beat the White Sox but as soon as they did, Minnesota clinched their sixth title in nine years and became the first team to make the playoffs. Earlier in the night they came from behind and beat Cleveland 6-4 for their 91st win of the season. It's funny that the Twins never get any respect from ESPN or any other national baseball writer until they win (though who knows if even that is sincere). It doesn't matter that they play strong fundamental baseball with heart, as a team, and have developed a deep farm system to keep the talent coming when some team like the Yankees or the Mets or the Red Sox fork over millions more to steal away our marquee players. Even with Nathan out for the season, Morneau out since early July and a host of injuries to key players throughout the season, the Twins played inspired baseball, with a seemingly new player stepping up and saving the day every game. Thome, Young, Mauer, Cuddyer, Valencia, Span, Liriano, Pavano, Kubel, Duensing... the list goes on and on.
Whether the Twins can make it past the first round remains to be seen. As much as heart and passion matter, David doesn't always beat Goliath. The Yankees have the Twins number and we'll just have to see what happens. It's nice that the Twins have 11 games to get ready, rest and align their pitchers to send the best we have right away in Game 1. The last two seasons we've had to play Game 163 playoff games just to get in, losing a crushing 1-0 game in 2008 and finally getting in in 2009. I'm excited to see what happens but I'm not gonna get my hopes too high. It's just nice to have seen such inspired play: a baseball leading 45-18 since the All-Star break, six pitchers with 10 wins or more for the first time ever, the bullpen with the best ERA in the American League, the team with the best batting average overall... it has to count for something right?
