MINNESOTA TWINS +165 - This one is strictly a VALUE play, as surprisingly, very little separates these starting pitchers statistically. Yes, Mussina finished at 17-8 with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.08 ratio. However, Santana was not exactly chopped liver, as he ended up 12-3, and he actually had a lower ERA than Mussina at 3.07 with a comparable 1.10 ratio! Most impressively, the Twins as a team were 13-5, 72.2% in all Santana starts, meaning that he almost always pitches well enough to give his team a chance. At this price, that is all that we could ask for. Looking beyond the starting pitching, the Twins appear to have a considerable edge in the bullpen, where the Yankees set-up men have had trouble all season getting to the closer Rivera. On the other hand, Minnesota finished 4th in the American League with a group pen ERA of 3.84. The only obvious advantage we see for the Yankees here is offensively, but even that edge may be neutralized if Santana can maintain his current form that has seen him allow 3 earned runs or less in an amazing 9 of his last 10 starts. The fact that the southpaw has never started vs. the Yanks should also work to his advantage. Finally, I am very well aware that Mussina has a lifetime record of 20-2 vs. Minnesota. However, that stat must be taken with a grain of salt, as the Twins did not have a very good team for many seasons until finally emerging in the last 2 years. During this time, Mussina has a more ?human? 4.23 ERA in 4 starts against the Twins.
Twins/Yankees - 9/30/03
- Thread starter Eugene Michaels
- Start date
Check out who Santana beat in his last 8 or 9 wins! Detroit, Clev and one or two against the slumping ChiSox.
I'd suggest that the Twins and Santana may have been the main reason for the slumping White Sox...
I agree with the value pick, FWIW. This kid is terrific, and worthy of a look. A lot of reasons to love the Yankees, past records, Moose vs Twins, home team, etc. But getting Santana at a good number is worth thinking about. And doing, for my money.
Good luck all.
I agree with the value pick, FWIW. This kid is terrific, and worthy of a look. A lot of reasons to love the Yankees, past records, Moose vs Twins, home team, etc. But getting Santana at a good number is worth thinking about. And doing, for my money.
Good luck all.
Yankees blow up Minnesota today. The pressure is on the Yanks to win this year and they start today.
Well, Santana only went 4, but he pitched well. Yankees choked their guts out in every key situation, which should make George happy. Congrats to all you Minnesota backers!
Well played, well managed. A great performance by a hungry, talented team. with Radke going in game 2, the Twins have evidently shown up for the playoffs. Who'd have thought it? Oh yeah...me...
Expect the Yankees to play a little better next game, I would think.
Expect the Yankees to play a little better next game, I would think.
Tupac, you were partly right today. The Yankees did blow up. Man, cannot believe how sloppy they were in spots. The pressure just went up a bunch. Should be a little more intense in game 2.
