From Baseball Prospectus:
If Red Sox and Yankee partisans are bored with the "fait accompli" AL East and AL Wild Card races, then here's something for you to pay attention to. It's how the seeding plays out. More to the point, Yankee fans have a vested interest in seeing the Twins wind up with a better record than the A's. Sox fans, however, would do well to summon their karmic resolve for the opposite outcome.This is because the idea of facing two doses of Johan Santana and, if necessary, two doses of Brad Radke in a five-game series is mighty unpalatable. As I've already written in this space, I think Santana and Radke form the best one-two punch in the game this season. Since the All-Star break, the Twins are 21-5 when Santana or Radke starts (13-0 when it's Santana) and 20-19 when anyone else is on the bump. Needless to say, the prospect of four games against "Radtana" should make the Yanks and Sox quake in their cleats. But someone's going to have to play them.
At this writing, the Twins are a game up on the A's, and here's how the remaining schedule plays out:
MIN: (4)@CLE, (3)@NYY, (3)CLE
OAK: (3)@ANA, (4)SEA, (3)ANAThe schedule favors the Twins, who have two series against the hobbled and regressing Indians around a tilt with the--by then--auto-piloted Yankees. As for Oakland, after the recent sweep by Texas, they'll be fighting to stave off the Angels and surging Rangers, with two series against second-place Anaheim. The other consideration is that the Twins have already clinched the Central and will be more concerned with doling out rest and configuring the rotation than jockeying for playoff seeding. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they'd prefer the lower seed, which would allow them to avoid facing Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez twice each in the ALDS.
Still, given the schedule differences and the one-game lead for Minnesota, the A's will probably come in as the three seed (should they make it at all). That means another Yankees-A's ALDS and a potential epic round of pitching match-ups between the Sox and Twins. Can't freaking wait.
NOTE: For those upset and confused by the uncharacteristic linkage, let me add that this article was provided to Batgirl courtesy of Jeffstoned.
Posted by Batgirl at September 24, 2004 02:34 PM::gasp:: Batgirl is attempting to decipher stats!!!
Posted by: diok9 at September 24, 2004 02:55 PMI don't like that post. I want to see the games. The Twins have nothing to play for(other than Santana's 20th win which won't be an issue after tonight). Were going to go into the Yankees house and beat them twice. Then come home and close it out in front of the home crowd, including me. Isn't that the best case scenario? I think so.
Posted by: Florida at September 24, 2004 03:02 PMDear Bat-girl,
Say it ain't so.
-Shoeless Joe
Posted by: Shoeless Joe at September 24, 2004 03:48 PM(annoyed by Bat-girl comments form, which deletes anything in less than/greater than symbols).
Dear Bat-Girl,
(clicks on bat-girl)
(clicks on Baseball Prospectus)
(clicks back to bat-girl)
(clicks back to Baseball Prospectus)
(shakes head)
Say it ain't so.
-Shoeless Joe.
Posted by: Shoeless Joe at September 24, 2004 03:50 PMI don't get the negativity. A major baseball Web site is talking up the Twins; why wouldn't it get mentioned here? Because it's Baseball Prospectus, the stat-freak's best friend? No need to fear. We got our daily dose of sass (and oh, how sassy it was).
After all, it doesn't say "no stats," it says "less stats." I think that's still accurate.
Posted by: Andre at September 24, 2004 05:44 PMBaseball Prospectus is usually delivered with heavy doses of sass, too.
Posted by: frightwig at September 24, 2004 06:00 PMJust wanted to say that I think there should be a batgirl bobblehead available to all the batlings in time for the holidays. It would make the perfect give for anyone; coworkers, in-laws, children and that twins fan that seems to have it all but has an empty space on their desk next to their computer that just can't be filled by other bobbleheads.
"Radtana"
HAHAH
someone needs to get the Photoshop out
I have enjoyed your blog for most of this season but find the TOONS thing kind of offensive for a number of reasons. The main one is because I find political correctness (usually no problem here) to be an insult. Another is the fact that they have by no means earned a nick name at all. They just aren't a very good ball team right now.
Don't forget the trouble, time, self-delusion, arrogance, and running of their mouths that it took that Chicago team to EARN the name, BITCH SOX.
Thank you, John
Posted by: john at September 24, 2004 10:52 PM