The Twins were swept out of the American League Division Series Sunday, losing Game 3 to the Yankees 4-1. The last two games of the series, especially, played like an extended refutation of the idea that the Twins "do the little things" and "play the game the right way."
Yes, I know the Twins can't ever seem beat the Yankees, and that they were doubled (or possibly tripled) up in payroll, and it's hard to imagine a team giving key at-bats to Carlos Gomez, Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert even making the playoffs, much less winning a series. It didn't help that the team was seriously overmatched; I was impressed that they even stayed in all three games until relatively late.
But still- Nick Punto's over-running third base and getting thrown out? Joe Nathan's throwing the ball into center field in Game 2? The bases-loaded/nobody out/no runs debacle in Game 2? Not the makings of fundamentally sound baseball, that's for sure.
So what can the Twins do in the offseason? Number 1- extend Joe Mauer. Number 2- get an above-average veteran starting pitcher, and 3- address the infield, bringing in at least one and probably two new players who can play second, short, or third.
In the meantime, it was nice knowing you, Metrodome. I prefer to say goodbye to the field in a more constructive manner than did the guy at the game who tried to jump into the Hefty Bag. I guess he couldn't handle A-Rod being the final guy to hit one into it.
- Also a sad day for the Red Sox, who were swept out by the Angels Sunday as well. Which closer has killed their credibility more this week- Papelbon or Nathan? Both will face big, big questions all offseason long.
- One advantage to the Cardinals going out- Phillie fans don't have to worry about the Lidge/Pujols nightmare scenario.
- The other big story of the playoffs- Chip Caray's emergence as the Worst Baseball Announcer Ever. From "he fisted it" to all of the missed calls, he made Joe Buck look like a genius. My personal favorite moment was when he said, twice, that the Twins will soon move "across the street" to Target Field, when it's in fact on the other side of downtown. Dude- you're at the stadium! As you were walking in, did you notice a brand new ballpark across the street?
Maybe Chip should start drinking in the booth, like his grandfather used to. If you're like me and interested in defeating the vile nepotism that plagues sports broadcasting, follow the Fake Chip Caray Twitter!
Posted by Stephen Silver at October 11, 2009 11:32 PM