Forums   |   Featured Articles   |   Advertising   |   Contact
//  Saturday, July 31, 2010

Twins Take Central, Yankees Await

Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Posted by Eddie Carroll

For the Twins and Tigers, 162 games wasn’t enough.

And in game 163, neither was nine innings.

Alexi Casilla singled home the game-winning – and division-clinching – run in the bottom of the 12th inning last night as the Twins stormed into the postseason.

In front of a record Metrodome crowd of over 54,000 Tuesday evening, Minnesota prolonged a saga that has been overflowing with unlikely developments.

It was unlikely that the Twins, who were seven games behind Detroit in the division as of September 6, would even be in a position to advance to the playoffs.

It was unlikely that shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who was on the last place Oakland A’s as of July 30, would win his second consecutive tie-breaking game en route to the postseason.

It was unlikely that Alexi Casilla, who’s season-long impression of Mario Mendoza had him sent to the minors twice in 2009,  would suddenly become a hero.  

It was also unlikely that any team with both Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert in their starting lineup would sniff a record of .500, let alone a division championship.

But lo and behold, it’s the Minnesota Twins.  

No matter the circumstances, or the perception of the talent on the field, Minnesota has yet again found their way into the American League playoffs.

Okay, so maybe the Tigers choked….like, a lot.

And okay, maybe the A.L. Central has been a six month long tallest dwarf competition that will most likely end in a New York-sized stomping.

So what?

If anything, we’ve been reminded yet again to never count the Twins out. Ever.  

Minnesota used eight pitchers last night. Starter Scott Baker had a hiccup in the third inning, when he surrendered three runs, but recovered to throw six solid innings.

After his departure, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire began to call a steady stream of arms down from the bullpen. But it wasn’t setup men Matt Guerrier or Jose Mijares earning the victory. Nor was it closer Joe Nathan.

Instead, it was 27 year old journeyman Bobby Keppel and his career 5.44 E.R.A. that got the W.

Umm…who?

Keppel tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and lowered his season E.R.A. to a plump 4.83. Oh yeah, and this victory was the first of his career.

How’s that for unlikely?

And with former A.L. M.V.P. Justin Morneau out for the season, Minnesota’s offense has had to depend on players like the aforementioned Nick Punto, or Matt Tolbert, more than ever.

Yesterday, Orlando Cabrera had two RBIs, Joe Mauer reached base four times (surprise, surprise), and the Twins lineup supplied just enough juice to eek into the postseason.

It’s probably said a million times a year, but Minnesota defines “team.”

Last night was certainly a team victory, and the Central Division crown should be fit as such. Of course, there’s Mauer, who hit .365 this year, or Nathan, who saved 35+ games for the sixth straight season.  

But it’s the Puntos, the Tolberts, the Casillas, and the Keppels that seem to make an impact when it matters most.

And to them, we say: Welcome to the postseason, where the overused, cliché, far-too-common phrase “anything can happen” is reinforced annually.

Do the Twins stand much of a chance against the big, bad New York Yankees? Probably not.

Then again, let’s see a show of hands from those who picked the Rays to win the pennant last year.

Nobody? Hmm…

Maybe anything can happen.

We’ll see starting later today at 6:07 EST, when the Twins and Yankees kick off game 1 of the ALDS. Scheduled starters: Duensing vs. Sabathia

Comments - Post a Comment


Post A Comment
Name: (*Required)
Email: (*Required)
- Not Displayed With Comment
Website:
Comment:
 

« Back to News

All Things Sports