At this point, I'm not sure who's consistently hotter--the Minnesota Twins or the Olsen Twins. Although I'm sure Mary-Kate and Ashley would make a formidable double-play combo and provide their skipper with a swift "you got it dude" after every one of his managerial requests, no pair of Twins (not even the ones from the Coors Light football commercials) can compete with the group they have in Minnesota right now. Ozzie Guillen and his White Sox just rattled off 7 straight victories after signing Manny just to keep pace with the club from the Twin Cities and didn't gain any ground. The White Sox are going to be in this pennant race for the long haul and if they suffer too many 8 run losses to the chubbiest MVP candidate since Mo Vaughn in Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers, they might as well buy their homer hankies in bulk so they can root for the AL Central Champion Twins in October.
Every year it seems that the Sox and Twinks are in a dogfight for the AL Central crown (except in 2006 when the Tigers somehow revitalized the city of Detroit and their unemployed fans). In past years, it always perplexed me how the Twins continued to compete in one of the smaller markets in the American League. Of course in recent years, we have learned that having a high payroll is about as relevant as having a one of those virtual pets that were hot in the Clinton era in 2010 (think Rays: 25th, Cubs:3rd). But this year, the Twins have climbed the MLB payroll ladder from 25 to 11, and the results seem to be imminent. Obviously, part of this jump in cashflow going out, is due to their prodigious, 8 year, $184 Million extension they gave Joe Mauer. But, they have still managed to be effective this year with the loss of Justin Morneau to the 60 day DL and the absence of their closer, Joe Nathan for virtually the entire season. By no means am I rooting for the Twins, or supporting them against the White Sox in any way during September. But how do they manage to keep a competitive roster with 2 of their 3 best players on the DL? I understand Joe Mauer has the best sideburns in baseball and has a majestic ability when it comes to hitting a baseball. But still, are they paying their manager (isn't he Dave Thomas from Wendy's?) in triple stacks so they can finance a baseball team? Is the ghost of Bill Haywood and Lou Collins from Little Big League (funny clip, just be patient) that potent?
Perhaps the Twins simply know how to win baseball games. They only have one player hitting over .303 (Mauer-.325) but have 3 starting pitchers with over 10 wins (Pavano-16, Liriano-13, Baker-12). Maybe it's the Jim Thome curse that haunts the Sox when they share the field with the Twins this season. Whatever it is, the Sox have to win the rest of this series with the Tigers, take at least 2 from the Royals at home leading into their 3 game set at the Cell with the Twins. At that point, they should be withing a Juan Pierre relay throw (not very far) of the Twins division lead. If they can somehow find out how to stay within a handful of games the rest of the way, I trust Ozzie in late September. I don't understand what he's saying, but I trust him.
As for pick of the day, The Pulse Man did it again last night as Lincecum held the D-Backs to 3 runs and had 9 K's in way to his 13th win of the season. Riding his 6 game 'pick of the day' win streak like Toby Maguire rode Seabiscuit (I meant confidently, don't get gross), The Pulse Man has opted to go with a player prop and votes that Joey Votto will record an RBI tonight at (+110).
Pick of the Day: Joey Votto (Reds) Will he record and RBI-Must Start: YES (+110)
Record: (17-11-0)
The Twins have winning seasons year after year due to arguably the best farm system in baseball. They have realized that it is much cheaper and more sustainable to win with your own talent rather than simply overpay for one year wonders like others often do.
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