MLB Opening Day

[AZGrizFan]

Over halfway through the season with the All-Star break coming up. How's your team looking so far?

Mariners have definitely exceeded expectations (granted, that's not hard to do with them). Holding on to the second wild card spot and only 4.5 behind MLB-best Oakland. I'm sure Joltin will claim that Cano has been a flop since he only has 6 dingers, but he's hitting .323 with 51 RBIs, and leads the AL with RISP.

Offense overall has been inconsistent, but you don't need to score a ton when you have the best bullpen in the AL, and one of the best starting rotations.

Twins are nothing if not consistently inconsistent. Lose 6 straight, win 5 straight, lose 4 straight, win 4 straight, lose 7 straight, win 5 straight, and repeat. It's amazing how good the Twins record could be if it weren't for the 13 blown saves through the first 81 games. It's not all the bullpens fault though...

MLB starting pitchers have 3.90 ERA. Twins starters:
3.95 - Hughes
4.17 - Gibson
4.95 - Correia
5.49 - Nolasco
6.52 - Deduno
7.99 - Pelfrey

Going back a couple years to prove how consistent the team has been

2014: 15-15 (currently 24-33)
2013: 15-15 (went 51-81 after that)
2012: 8-22 (went 58-74 after that)
2011: 12-18 (went 51-81 after that)

81 game mark 2011: 35-46
81 game mark 2012: 35-46
81 game mark 2013: 36-45
81 game mark 2014: 37-44



But yeah...this is all Joe Mauer's fault
Highest OPS in Twins history (500+ plate appearances):
.949 - Jim Thome
.901 - Harmon Killebrew
.862 - Joe Mauer

(pre injury)
Joe Mauer is hitting .333/.377/.474 in his last 14 games and .414/.433/.586 in his last 7 games (and .320/.401/.462 in his last 1249 games)

Oh...and more number fun (although I'm not dumb enough to believe Joe is as good as Tony was...)
Tony Gwynn: .338 AVG, .388 OBP, .459 SLG, .847 OPS, 132 OPS+
Joe Mauer: .320 AVG, .401 OBP, .461 SLG, .863 OPS, 133 OPS+

Imagine what kind of pitching the Twinkies could afford if they weren't anchored down by that $21 million albatross on the DL.

Too bad seasons aren't 14 games long, huh? If they were, he'd be worth millions....and he'll hit .000 in his NEXT 14 games because he won't PLAY in those games.

[clenz]

It's not his contract that is the issue.

But...facts.

We all know you don't really like those pesky things

[Ibanez]

Over halfway through the season with the All-Star break coming up. How's your team looking so far?

Mariners have definitely exceeded expectations (granted, that's not hard to do with them). Holding on to the second wild card spot and only 4.5 behind MLB-best Oakland. I'm sure Joltin will claim that Cano has been a flop since he only has 6 dingers, but he's hitting .323 with 51 RBIs, and leads the AL with RISP.

Offense overall has been inconsistent, but you don't need to score a ton when you have the best bullpen in the AL, and one of the best starting rotations.

Atlanta has done well. They are 49-39, 1st in the Eastern Division. They've done well despite losing 2 guys early on. BJ Upton's advancement in the rotation didn't make much sense but it's paid off for them. They just ended a 9-game winning streak with a 3-1 loss to Arizona. Overall, i'm happy with how they've planed.

[AZGrizFan]

It's not his contract that is the issue.

But...facts.

We all know you don't really like those pesky things

Keep telling yourself that, while you simultaneously bitch about the poor quality of the starting pitching.

[clenz]

It's not his contract that is the issue.

But...facts.

We all know you don't really like those pesky things

Keep telling yourself that, while you simultaneously bitch about the poor quality of the starting pitching.

There is plenty of money for pitching in that orginzation.

The issue isn't Joe's contract - hell the Twins just introduced a new shirt that reads "Mauer-sota". He's worth every penny to that franchise.

[AZGrizFan]

Keep telling yourself that, while you simultaneously bitch about the poor quality of the starting pitching.

There is plenty of money for pitching in that orginzation.

The issue isn't Joe's contract - hell the Twins just introduced a new shirt that reads "Mauer-sota". He's worth every penny to that franchise.

Sure, there's plenty of money to pay $21 million for 28 RBI's and 2 HR's.

[bandl]

At the break
Nat's are in first place, with 2 games in hand over the Braves
O's in first place by 4 games

Yankees are .500
Red Sox are 9 games under
Mets are 5 games under

[89Hen]

At the break
Nat's are in first place, with 2 games in hand over the Braves
O's in first place by 4 games

Yankees are .500
Red Sox are 9 games under
Mets are 5 games under

[clenz]

Hey Z...guess who has tickets to see Joe Mauer in Cedar Rapids tomorrow night...for free?

This guy

[Grizalltheway]

Hey Z...guess who has tickets to see Joe Mauer in Cedar Rapids tomorrow night...for free?

This guy

I'm seeing Paul McCartney in Missoula tomorrow night, but something tells me Z isn't envious of that, either.

[AZGrizFan]

Hey Z...guess who has tickets to see Joe Mauer in Cedar Rapids tomorrow night...for free?

This guy

I'm seeing Paul McCartney in Missoula tomorrow night, but something tells me Z isn't envious of that, either.

Couldn't pay me to go to their one of those events.

Slap-hittin', injury prone DH vs a geriatric '60's musician.

[Grizalltheway]

Age is just a number. I'd rather see Paul at 72 than AC/DC in their "prime".

[Gil Dobie]

Couldn't pay me to go to their one of those events.

Slap-hittin', injury prone DH vs a geriatric '60's musician.

If it's a baseball game or rock concert, Tonto no snob, Tonto go!

[dbackjon]

Couldn't pay me to go to their one of those events.

Slap-hittin', injury prone DH vs a geriatric '60's musician.

If it's a baseball game or rock concert, Tonto no snob, Tonto go!

You know that Tonto is Spanish for stupid, right?

[Gil Dobie]

If it's a baseball game or rock concert, Tonto no snob, Tonto go!

You know that Tonto is Spanish for stupid, right?

I'm sure there is some language out there where John means toilet.

[dbackjon]

You know that Tonto is Spanish for stupid, right?

I'm sure there is some language out there where John means toilet.

Good thing my name is not John

[AZGrizFan]

Age is just a number. I'd rather see Paul at 72 than AC/DC in their "prime".

Well, good for you.

[clenz]

Joe continues his hot streak...

First game back with the Twins and extends his hit streak to 13 games

[AZGrizFan]

Joe continues his hot streak...

First game back with the Twins and extends his hit streak to 13 games

Over/under on how many AB's he gets the rest if this year?

I'll say under 135.

[clenz]

And Joe drives in the go ahead run in the top of the 9th with his second hit of the game.

On base 3 times tonight. 2-3, 2 rbi, and a walk in first game back.

Not a bad welcome back

[Grizalltheway]

Age is just a number. I'd rather see Paul at 72 than AC/DC in their "prime".

Well, good for you.

It was better than good, it was GREAT.

[Grizalltheway]

And Felix extends his streak of ultra quality starts (min. 7 IP and 2 or fewer ER) to 16. Put his name on the Cy Young.

[AZGrizFan]

And Joe drives in the go ahead run in the top of the 9th with his second hit of the game.

On base 3 times tonight. 2-3, 2 rbi, and a walk in first game back.

Not a bad welcome back

He's about due for a 5 year extension at $25mil a year, ain't he?

[AZGrizFan]

Well, good for you.

It was better than good, it was GREAT.

Jesus you are such a fucking hipster.

[Grizalltheway]

It was better than good, it was GREAT.

Jesus you are such a fucking hipster.

Yeah, it's not like I've been listening to The Beatles since I was 5 years old.