The Twins won in extra innings of their extra game, against the Detroit Tigers.
This pleases me, for several reasons:
- As an A’s fan, I have the small-market brotherhood feeling with the Twins. Â Although apparently their limits could be relaxed by a more generous owner.
- Joe Mauer – the best player in the AL, and perhaps the game (Pujols vs Mauer) will be in the playoffs. Â I give the edge based largely on the strength of Mauer’s defense and position. Â Pujols is still the more powerful hitter. A few years ago, Mauer became the first catcher in AL history to winning a batting title. Â He’s has now won 3 out of the last four batting titles.
- Their all star first baseman, Justin Morneau is injured – they are big underdogs going into the division series against the yankees.
- Their roster is largely homegrown. Â Their closer came from the giants. Â Carlos Gomez came from the Mets and Delmon Young came from Tampa Bay with Brendan Harris.
As much as I would have enjoyed watching Verlander in the playoffs, I’m glad the Twinkies won.