Game 4 - 4/9/12 - Twins vs Angels - HOME OPENER

[Seth Stohs]

Twins Lineup for their Home Opener:

Denard Span CF
Jamey Carroll SS
Joe Mauer 1B
Justin Morneau DH
Josh Willingham LF
Ryan Doumit C
Danny Valencia 3B
Trevor Plouffe RF
Alexi Casilla 2B

SP: Nick Blackburn

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

Small Sample sizes, but Mauer has been terrible against Angels Starter C.J. Wilson and Willingham has been pretty good. I hope it doesn't take them until the 8th inning this time to start scoring runs.

[Boom Boom]

Plouffe 3-4 with a HR.

[Seth Stohs]

Beauty of baseball... 5 runs against Arrieta, Hunter, Hammel...
Assumption is they won't be able to hit Wilson, Weaver and Haren... But you never know... could score 5-6 a game!
Gotta love it!

[Kirby_Waved_At_Me]

Anything can happen - this is Wilson's first start of the year, new catcher for him, new team playing defense behind him. Gardy's money quote from the MLB.com game preview talks about how the ball comes out of Blackburn's hand better than anyone on the staff this spring. Go Twins!

[thrylos98]

Let's not forget, that the Royals took 2 out of 3 at the Angels' home. The Twins should at least keep up pace there

[Shane Wahl]

3 out of the top 4 hitters lefties against a very good left-handed pitcher. Morneau should be batting 6th (and generally not playing at all against lefties).

[edavis0308]

[QUOTE=shanewahl;8292]3 out of the top 4 hitters lefties against a very good left-handed pitcher. Morneau should be batting 6th (and generally not playing at all against lefties).[/QUOTE]

That isnt even close to being true. In 2010, he OPS'ed .950+ against LHP. In 2009, he was close to .850. Obviously throwing 2011 out. If anything, say that he is 2-12 against Wilson (although one of the 2 hits was a HR).

[Riverbrian]

I would have gone with Mauer behind the plate. Scioscia is aggressive on the bases. I also would have benched Doumit for the game for failing to move Willingham over to 3rd base with no outs in the 8th inning yesterday. Burroughs or Hughes could play 1B against the lefty or DH with Morneau at 1B. His head might survive a game in the field.

Or maybe this is the perfect lineup for today and I'm just gonna sit back and watch it with full faith.

[asmus_ndsu]

I'm actually excited to see how Blackburn will fair today. I probably have the most confidence in him over anyone else for the start of this year

[Highabove]

Does anyone know what that Video presentation was about????

[Intramural Legend]

I would have gone with Mauer behind the plate. Scioscia is aggressive on the bases. I also would have benched Doumit for the game for failing to move Willingham over to 3rd base with no outs in the 8th inning yesterday. Burroughs or Hughes could play 1B against the lefty or DH with Morneau at 1B. His head might survive a game in the field.

Or maybe this is the perfect lineup for today and I'm just gonna sit back and watch it with full faith.

I actually have been pretty impressed with Doumit's arm. We may be surprised with him throwing out runners this year. The rest of his defense has been about as good as I expected...

[Intramural Legend]

Poll Question? Could the members of the 2002 team, retired and all, with Radke pitching beat today's team with Blackburn pitching?

[Intramural Legend]

Ominous start by Blackburn

[asmus_ndsu]

Ugh I think I jinxed him

[mikeee]

RBI single for Hunter....

[Intramural Legend]

Quit walking people!!! Have we walked someone this year, and not seen them come around to score? Just terrible

[@_2244]

Quit walking people!!! Have we walked someone this year, and not seen them come around to score? Just terrible

Then people will cry about "Pitch to Contact."

[mikeee]

Double for Abreu to bring in another run.. 2-0.. There they go giving up runs early again!

[Highabove]

Missing bats is a good way to avoid walks.