Twins vs. A's: The Harden They Come
This is about as even a matchup as I can imagine. Both are teams that started slowly, then put the pieces together and came on like Mark Foley chasing a congressional page. Either could stake a claim as the best team in the game right now, but both have some gaping holes in the hull.
Both teams really get the idea of on-base percentage. Looking up and down the Twins' lineup, the only guy with a sub-optimal OBP for the season is Rondell White, and even that is a bit deceptive, as White followed a horrible first half (a .209 OBP? how is that possible?) with a .354 OBP after the All-Star break. The A's finished in the middle of the pack, but after the break everyone in the lineup had a .342 mark or better. While the Twins don't draw walks at a prodigious rate, they are very good at working the count for a good pitch to put into play.
This makes for an interesting matchup, because Twins pitchers specialize in controlling the strike zone. Teams like the A's who like to take a pitch or two will frequently find themselves behind in the count. A's game one starter Barry Zito, despite his many virtues, does at time find himself working behind in the count. I think that this is the key to game one.
The biggest problem for the Twins is filling out the rotation after Johan Santana starts game one. Boof Bonser will pitch game two; Bonser is a tremendous talent and pitched outstanding ball down the stretch, but is a rookie who is new to all of this. After that, their are nothing but question marks. Can Brad Radke pull another strong start out of his demolished shoulder and elbow? Would you even consider starting Carlos Silva in a playoff game, even if the alternative is inconsistant rookie Matt Garza?
The A's will be starting Zito, Esteban Loiza, and Dan Haren in games one through three. I'm not sure why Loiza is starting ahead of Haren, but the A's have a likely advantage in the rotation. As even as things are, I think that the key to the whole series may well be Rich Harden, who is expected to pitch game four after missing most of the season. If Harden pitches anything like the Rich Harden is capable of, the series could end right there. If he struggles, then the series may well go to game five, when Santana pitches again.
Both teams have very strong bullpens. The Twins pen may be the best in the majors, strong and deep. The A's aren't much behind, although Huston Street has had some struggles. My suspicion is that these games are going to have to be decided early.
This series could go any number of games, with any imaginable outcome.
Both teams really get the idea of on-base percentage. Looking up and down the Twins' lineup, the only guy with a sub-optimal OBP for the season is Rondell White, and even that is a bit deceptive, as White followed a horrible first half (a .209 OBP? how is that possible?) with a .354 OBP after the All-Star break. The A's finished in the middle of the pack, but after the break everyone in the lineup had a .342 mark or better. While the Twins don't draw walks at a prodigious rate, they are very good at working the count for a good pitch to put into play.
This makes for an interesting matchup, because Twins pitchers specialize in controlling the strike zone. Teams like the A's who like to take a pitch or two will frequently find themselves behind in the count. A's game one starter Barry Zito, despite his many virtues, does at time find himself working behind in the count. I think that this is the key to game one.
The biggest problem for the Twins is filling out the rotation after Johan Santana starts game one. Boof Bonser will pitch game two; Bonser is a tremendous talent and pitched outstanding ball down the stretch, but is a rookie who is new to all of this. After that, their are nothing but question marks. Can Brad Radke pull another strong start out of his demolished shoulder and elbow? Would you even consider starting Carlos Silva in a playoff game, even if the alternative is inconsistant rookie Matt Garza?
The A's will be starting Zito, Esteban Loiza, and Dan Haren in games one through three. I'm not sure why Loiza is starting ahead of Haren, but the A's have a likely advantage in the rotation. As even as things are, I think that the key to the whole series may well be Rich Harden, who is expected to pitch game four after missing most of the season. If Harden pitches anything like the Rich Harden is capable of, the series could end right there. If he struggles, then the series may well go to game five, when Santana pitches again.
Both teams have very strong bullpens. The Twins pen may be the best in the majors, strong and deep. The A's aren't much behind, although Huston Street has had some struggles. My suspicion is that these games are going to have to be decided early.
This series could go any number of games, with any imaginable outcome.
posted by Jim at
11:03 AM
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