Time to give Rocco some credit for the quick hook this season.. Lopez is throwing 97 tonight. It's like they left a lot of gas in the tank for the playoffs.
The Texas outfielders are making me appreciate the Twins outfield defense. Looks like Delmon Young, Oswaldo Arcia and Josh Willingham in the outfield at the same time.
Personally, I'd go with
1. Lopez
2. Gray
3. Maeda
4. Ober or Lopez(depending on the series standing)
Ryan has not looked good lately, I don't think he has hit 93 in over a month.
He hit 98 according to the field radar gun. He was clearly the best pitcher of the day, for either team.
However, he has pitched 5 innings total in the bigs this year, I'm not counting on him eating a lot of high pressure innings in the playoffs.
Now is not the time to rest on their laurels. The Twins have not won the division yet. Win it and then they can coast to game 162. With the limited expanded rosters there's only so many down days available for the players anyhow. As Terry Ryan used to say, somebody has to play the innings.
9 more wins for the magic number of 83.
15 more combined Twins wins and Cleveland losses for the division title.
And tonight a win with Keuchle on the mound against the Met's best pitcher. Hope springs eternal!!
Plus one.
I believe in Buxton. I always thought he 'could' be this generations Willie Mays. Watching him play outfield is a thrill in itself. I plopped down some $ on him winning the MVP this year at 33 to 1. Oops.
I hope he can get his knee back to where he needs it ot be to play ball but his long term future is more important. He has kids and I would like to see him be able to coach them in little league.