Better luck next year, Twins...
I wish I could say I wasn't expecting this, but I totally freakin' was. *sigh* The Twins got swept by the Yankees in the ALDS. The matchup seemed...well, almost unfair. The Yankees are seasoned playoff pros; while the Twins often get into the playoffs, they don't advance. The Yankees have a stellar offense and more dependable pitching than the Twins do. And the Yankees won most (if not all, actually) of their 2009 regular season games against the Twins. So really, was this playoff outcome a surprise to anyone? It wasn't to me, although I was wishing the whole time that the Twins would surprise me. That they'd stop stranding guys on base. That they wouldn't do screwy things while running bases. They they wouldn't pitch far worse in the playoffs than they did in the regular season (Joe Nathan, I'm looking at you here). Next year, there's a new stadium...and the Twins will have a new start. Morneau will be back in the lineup. And perhaps the playoff outcome, if they should make it in again next year, will be different then. I certainly hope so. There's a ton of good, young talent on this team, and these boys are due. But not this year--even though they put up a damn good fight to even get into the playoffs at all. Also, I hope Mauer wins as many awards and accolades as possible...he had a hell of a year, and his numbers were pretty damn stellar. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do for the Twins next year at Target Field! |