Given the recent history between the two teams, it is understandable if the Yankees come to town with a certain swagger in their step. They've beaten the Twins three times in post-season series since 2003 and last year's was an absolute drubbing. The Twins were a minor league team compared to the deep All-Star lineup for the Yankees. The Yankees still have the better team this year, but there are some key differences in the Twins clubhouse that should make this a more competitive series. Enough differences to add up to the Twins advancing? Not a chance according to some and perhaps they will be right. But I think they are worth reviewing before we give the Twins up for sacrificial lambs.
No 163. Last year the Twins won the AL Central in an emotional and exhausting game 163. They then boarded a plane to New York in the wee hours and faced the Yankees the next night on little rest. This year they are well rested and as healthy as any team can be after a 162 game season. if the Yankees overwhelm the Twins this year it will not be because the Twins are out of gas.
Home. The Twins went 53-28 at the spanking new Target Field this year, edging the Yankees by a game for best home record in the AL. It is a beautiful ballpark with that inaugural season magic and the Twins have settled in and made it their own. Instead of starting the series in New York, the Twins begin with home field advantage and hopefully some of that magic will stay with them for the post-season.
Morneau. Like last year, the Twins enter the post-season without Justin Morneau. Unlike last year though, the Twins have had had three months to adjust instead of three weeks. He is still sorely missed, but it is not the scramble it was last year.
Thome. The addition of Jim Thome at DH has been huge for the Twins this year. He brings a patient and dangerous presence to the lineup to complement Joe Mauer that wasn't there last year.
7,8,9. The Twins went to New York last year with the 7,8,9 spots in their lineup filled with their infield by committee: Brendan Harris, Matt Tolbert, and Nick Punto. This year those spots are taken by Jason Kubel, rookie Danny Valencia, and JJ Hardy. That's an upgrade in experience(even with the rookie), batting average, and power.
No Phil Cuzzi. No, I don't think Cuzzi's blown call cost the Twins the series last year, but it was a tough blow to a team that was working their asses off to hang with the Yankees. This year Cuzzi is in his proper place for the post-season: his living room.
Is it enough? Maybe. None of the above will matter if the Twins don't get some solid pitching and that is where they have been a Jekyll/Hyde team the most this year. Can Liriano keep his head on straight and deliver a quality start? Here's hoping.
I've always been one to not provoke the baseball gods and make predictions, but this is the year to be bold I think. I'm going to go George Costanza and do the opposite:
The Twins rough up CC Sabathia in shocking fashion tonight while Liriano delivers seven solid innings and the relievers cruise the rest of the way.
Twins win 8-3.
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