Just trying to point out, with the headline, how silly it is to get too excited -- or depressed -- about the first week of the l-o-n-g season, or to over-analyze the significance of one game or even a series. That said, break up the Royals!
Last night, the Jays left 15 men on base, which isn't good. However, they had 10 hits and eight walks, which is great. When faced with a "half-empty, half-full" conundrum, I always try to change the size of the glass. Considering that four of the Twins pitchers were tough southpaws, and I had predicted the "under", it was a fine offensive performance, and the Toronto OBP machine is starting to fire on (almost) all cylinders.
Eric Hinske will snap out of his funk, but first he needs to take some deep breaths and relax. His frustration at the plate got him tossed last night, which could have cost his short-benched team dearly if Phelpsy hadn't bailed him out, and he's got the throwing yips again. Stop thinking, big guy, and have some fun out there! Last night, Chris Woodward ended his seasonal 0-fer with a lucky hit, but that's all it takes sometimes -- if not for a Twins hop on the ball he roped over Torii Hunter, Woody hit a game-winner.
Today's game could be another spotlight on pitching and defence. Brad Radke's first start, admittedly against the Tigers in Comerica, was excellent (3 hits and a walk in 6.2 innings) and Cory Lidle actually had very good stuff and command against the Yankees, he just got burned on changeup strikes that didn't fool Giambi or Posada. I'm guessing Myers gets the start behind the plate, and we may not see Huckaby again, except possibly for late-inning "D", until Thursday's eagerly anticipated Pedro-Doc matchup at the Dome.
So here's your game thread, and I'm looking forward to the international chat, which you can read here and on Aaron's blog tomorrow. Last night I was too distracted to really listen to Tom Candiotti, but what I did hear was disappointing. I'd be interested to find out what others thought; it's a lot harder to be a good analyst when your play-by-play man can't tell a successful bunt from a foul ball. I really miss Dan Shulman.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030406010143999