So, we meet again. You, with your smug smirk and your holier than thou attitude. Yeah that's right. I'm talking to you Yankees. We don't like your kind up here in the north. Well, maybe there is another reason as to why we don't like your kind up here. It could be the fact that the Yankees own the Twins. The Yankees have owned the Twins so bad since Gardy took over as manager that in the Twins yearbook it lists George Steinbrenner as a Minority Owner. There is nothing more annoying or more devastating than to be absolutely dominated by one single team. And those damn Yankees dominate our beloved Twins.
It's not that the Yankees have only lost 18 of 74 (something like that, whatev) games that they have played against the Twins since '02, it's the way that the Twins lose these games. How about the '04 walkoff home run that Jason Giambi hit in the rain? Or the Twins never scoring enough runs for Johizzle in '03? And just for good measure, the Yanks decided to renew this old feeling of pain and anguish last season as Joe Nathan blew game two in New York.
But hey, you know what? This year is different. This year is our year. Yeah! Now here is why:
1) The Minnesota Twins Line-up: It's good, with or without former MVP Justin Morneau (yes, he won a MVP award, somehow). The top is solid with Span and O-Dawg and the middle is also very solid with former MVP Joe Mauer, a breakout year coming from Delmon "I still can't play left field" Young and having Cuddy and Kubel be solid players certainly helped. Oh yeah, the Twins also have a guy by the name of Jim Thome. He's been around and likes to hit massive bombs. Add ROY candidate Danny Valencia and you've got yourself a nice little line-up
2) The New York Yankees pitchers not named CC Sebathia: It's awful. Like real bad. Not saying that the Twins are full of Cy Young's and haven't struggled down the stretch (which, in itself was very frustrating) but this Yankee staff as a whole has many questions.
3) Target Field: Obviously the Twins aren't used to playing playoff games outside (duh) but that place will be electric. I've been to every home Twins playoff game since '06 (why Torii, why did you dive for that ball?) and the Dome would always be rocking. It looks to be a very nice night for baseball and Target Field will give the Twins all they will need as far as energy goes. Which brings me to my next point...
4: Scoring early: The Twins scored the most first inning runs than their opponents this year. Which means their pitchers usually pitch with a lead for most of their starts. Which means that they will be more confident and they will be able to afford to challenge hitters and get them out. Which means that the Twins will win.
5: It has to happen sometime: Right? We gotta beat the Yanks, don't we?
Twins in 4..Mark it down. Just don't call them Twinkies.
