Game 1

Not much more I can say to hype up or emphasize the upcoming series that starts tonight. Nothing really needs to be said. The media is talking about it, all eyes are on the series, it's coming down to this!

I'll say it now, in my opinion the Twins need to sweep this series to make the playoffs. We'll certainly still have a chance if we take 2 of 3, but to really be in the driver's seat we need to get the brooms out.

Obviously, easier said than done against a very good Chicago White Sox club. Especially since two of the starters in this series (Mark Buerhle - Wed, Gavin Floyd - Thurs) have dominated the Twins this year. BUT... the Twins are at home. And this my friends, is going to be the difference in the game. I think the Twins have a legit chance to sweep the White Sox this week thanks to DOMEfield advantage!

With 40,000 roaring fans rocking the Metrodome it'll be a playoff atmosphere and I predict the Twins' bats will really come alive. We just need tired young arms of our starting rotation to keep up.

The White Sox on the road this year are 35-43. The Twins at home are 49-26. I like these numbers! Scott Baker (9-4) goes for his 10th win against Javier Vasquez (12-14). I'll be at the dome cheering along and you should watch, witness, or listen to this game!

A Blockbuster Event

If this were a podcast or I could somehow add audio to this blog the entire post would be read in that movie trailer voice. You know the same guy who does every preview in the theaters. I'm going to do my best to write the script, so you need to just simply hear the voice in your head as you read the following...

In the city of two cities lives a hollowed ground. A yard, a park, a dome! A place where balls fly, strikes are fired, and fans roar. Beneath this pale white palace history is made and legends are born. Under this bubbled roof nine twin men shed blood and tears battling day in and day out against giants, pirates, angels, and tigers.

But this time... the nine uniformed men armed with bats and gloves will be fighting for their lives. Against who you ask?

From the deep, dark depths of the city of wind sleep the twin men's rivals. They come clad in evil black and armed with their secret weapon of monster home runs and their signature white socks.

This September, for three days the twin men and white socked monsters will settle the score once and for all!

Starring: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Ron Gardenhire, and 50,000 cheering fans. Also Starring: Jim Thome, Jermaine Dye, and Ozzie Guillen with possible guest appearance by Carlos Quentin. Coming to a theater near you... (if near you is Minneapolis)

THE FINAL SERIES!!!

A Day Off

Bueller... bueller....bueller!!!

The Twins long awaited day off has finally arrived. After playing 23 games in 23 days (19 of those games on the road)the Twins have a day off. And no one, not even Ferris himself, needed this day off more than the Twins!

So the Twins suffered through a long, grueling roadtrip that ended in a brutal sweep by the Toronto Blue Jays. They came home to the dome and played a lackadaisical, uninterested series against the Detroit where the Tigers took two of three. Amazingly, the Twins sit just two and 1/2 games back in the AL Central.

Now two and 1/2 isn't as nice on September 8th as it is on July 8th, but the Twins are certainly in the race with three weeks remaining in the season; however, the time is NOW.

Each and every Twin must use this day however they need to prepare themselves for the final three weeks of the season. Perhaps Joe Nathan will relax and hang out with his family. Maybe Justin Morneau will spend time analyzing his swing and reviewing video. Possibly Kevin Slowey will buy a sandwich at Jimmy John's and get his laundry done. I don't care and I'm guessing Ron Gardenhire doesn't care either. BUT when the Twins come back to the dome on Tuesday to open a series against the Kansas City Royals they better be ready for a playoff race.

A playoff race that will include 19 games in 20 days. Ten of those 19 games are on the road and only seven of those 19 games are against teams with a winning record. The White Sox play 20 games in 21 remaining days with 10 of those games at home at U.S. Cellular. The Sox have 11 games against teams with a winning record compared to the Twins' seven, but the Twins games are no guarantee. Look no further than their struggles on the road against the likes of Seattle and Oakland.

Most importantly, the Twins still control their own destiny. They do not want to get into a situation where they are waiting for the White Sox to lose. Let's hope they enjoy the day off and this young team prepares for an intense playoff race. It's September baseball!