Three Thoughts for Tuesday Afternoon

by John Sickels on May 3, 2025 5:00 PM EDT

Three Random Thoughts on a Tuesday Afternoon

**Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp....will he be an MVP candidate in September? I've always felt he would win one someday. He's still only 26, he's always had the tools, and the performance this year has been excellent.

**I'm not worried about Seattle Mariners prospect Dustin Ackley. Yet. If he's still hitting like this on July 1^st, then yeah, I'll worry. I guess that means I'm pre-worried.

**As a Minnesota Twins fan, I am worried. Nobody except Kubel and Span is hitting. Mauer is out, and there's no ready replacement on the horizon if he can't stick at catcher. I'm glad to see Scott Baker pitching well (I've always liked him), but Liriano's implosion is frightening, I've never believed in Blackburn very much, and there are two guys in the bullpen with ERAs of 10.00. I suppose a bright spot is that we'll get to pick early in the 2012 draft. Maybe there will be a good catcher available next year.

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John,

What do you think is wrong with Liriano? I see that he’s had issues with control and command with his pitches, but do you think he’s hiding and injury? Being that the Twins are your favorite team, I figure you might have some more insight.

"When Justin Upton faces Lincecum, I think Christ might appear in the heavens, and the world will end." -JakeFree

by JT12340 on May 3, 2025 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Twins got to be better than this. Mauer comes back, Morneau rebounds, Liriano gets better (even if not great, at least better)

I have a hard time seeing them in the bottom 5 at the end of the year. Though its really disappointing.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 3, 2025 6:54 PM EDT reply actions

ZOMG ERIC SURKAMP!!!111!!!

That’s been my thought for much of today… can someone talk me down? LOL… I always let my irrational excitement run wild with these middling Giants prospects. Or on the other hand, SURKAMP COULD BE 2002 BARRY ZITO

Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?

by shikantaza on May 3, 2025 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

lol i know right?

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Was trading Ramos Short sighted?

Seems he would have been a fine buffer to transition Mauer to another position. Capps helped them short term but now I think they would rather have Ramos back.

by ribman on May 3, 2025 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

+1 Yes Almost every Twins fan thinks that

Drew Butera as evidence of Liriano’s no-no is an underrated/ underrapreciated backstop who calls great games, and amazing arm.

But Most seem to think Trading Ramos for Capps was a terrible idea..

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Hard to underrate a guy batting .100

No amount of defense can make up for that. He’s half of a bad hitter right now.

by DavidRF on May 4, 2025 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

What an ironic picture and comment for today...

if no one knows what i’m talking about, you might want to check in on the Twins game right about now.

by deezle on May 3, 2025 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

It's cool for him, but it's hardly what I'd call a good start

6 walks to only 2 strikeouts

Bullpen Banter
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus

by Jeff Reese on May 3, 2025 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

i'd say it's more than cool

no it isn’t the perfect start but it is pretty funny that he throws a no-no the day John comments about him imploding. Baseball is a crazy sport.

by deezle on May 3, 2025 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Right but this start doesn't make me feel any better about Liriano

Bullpen Banter
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus

by Jeff Reese on May 3, 2025 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He faced 33 hitters and gave up 0 hits. He was the worst starting pitcher in baseball going into the game, and don't feel ANY better about him?

Really? Not one bit?

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 3, 2025 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions

No, I don't

Again, it’s awesome that he threw a no-hitter, but 6 walks and 2 strikeouts is not going to end well in most instances.

Bullpen Banter
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus

by Jeff Reese on May 3, 2025 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I watched the entire game

is slider is Back he didn’t have it in April he has it again… (the 2010 slider)

sure he has multiple release points…. which doesn’t bode well but He’s coming back around Jar
I disagree with you

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

+1!

by Jersey Transplant on May 3, 2025 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully you're right

Bullpen Banter
Twitter Account: @Ioffridus

by Jeff Reese on May 4, 2025 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not saying that you have to even like Liriano. But the worst pitcher in 2011 throws a no-hitter, he got a little better tonight.

@casetines

by Kenneth Arthur on May 4, 2025 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

As Liriano throws a no hitter

by Yankees10 on May 3, 2025 10:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

lol complete awesomness

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Liriano throws a no no

by Bravesin07 on May 3, 2025 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm not sure Kemp will be an MVP candidate ever

But he’s sure showing all the skills to be one this year and 2009.

"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"

by Ivdown on May 3, 2025 11:00 PM EDT reply actions

damn i just dropped liriano last night

by matthewmafa on May 3, 2025 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

lol hahahahaha

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

John... Please Post More Photos of Twins!

As another Twins fan, I think you’ve found the secret weapon for turning around the season - more photos of guys having lousy seasons… you have plenty of options.

I’m actually encourage by this outing.
Liriano has always been too focused on K’s & not getting deep into games (This being his 1st professional complete game - not even in the minors!). They say that they found some mechanical issues & have been working on it. Perhaps he’s putting it together.

by Jersey Transplant on May 3, 2025 11:20 PM EDT reply actions

+1 heck yes John start writing for Twinkie Town once in a while they/ we'd love to have you as a guest contributor

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

this thread ROCKS

Liriano promptly throws a NO-NO JOhn SIckles You ROCK

"Well Played Mauer"

Big fan of Juerys Familia and his repitoire

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on May 3, 2025 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

REVERSE JINX!

Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?

by shikantaza on May 3, 2025 11:44 PM EDT reply actions

Ackley

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never really understood the infatuation with him. He seems like Gordon Beckham with less power and a lower batting average. The plate discipline is nice, but he doesn’t bring much to the table in terms of power or speed. I guess a lot of the love is based on projectability, but he’s 23 and I haven’t seen much so far at any of his professional stops.

by polodude017 on May 4, 2025 9:16 AM EDT reply actions