Twins-A's preview: "Twins in 5"

Twins-A's preview

http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/bi/gold_print.cgi

08:29 PM CDT on Monday, October 2, 2006

By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News


Road to postseason

Athletics: As usual, their starting pitchers got hot as the season wore on, and it
allowed them to storm down the stretch to a fifth playoff berth in the last seven
years. The A's were 49-26 after the All-Star break, making them one game better than
Minnesota for the AL's best second-half record.

Twins: They were still 10 ½ games back in the Central on the morning of Aug. 8, but
they went 31-20 in their final 51 games. That included five wins in their final six
games against Detroit as they tracked down the stumbling Tigers. Minnesota is in the
postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons.


Heat Index

A's: DH Frank Thomas mashed 15 homers and drove in 51 runs in his final 53 games
after a slow start in his first Oakland season. As Thomas picked up steam, the
offense became more formidable. Thomas is 6-for-16 (.375) against Minnesota ace LHP
Johan Santana. In a close game, one big swing from The Big Hurt could make the
difference.

Twins: They are 27-7 in LHP Johan Santana's starts this season, which includes a 26-4
mark in his final 30. Santana is unbeaten at home (12-0). He tied for the league lead
in wins and led in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA. The guy has been on fire
since late April.


Inside the seams

A's: Despite all their great starting pitching, the A's still have not won a playoff
series this century. They lost to Minnesota in five games in 2002 and have twice
blown 2-0 series leads (to New York in 2001 and Boston in 2003). The A's have history
to overcome.

Twins: They don't walk opponents. That means Oakland, with its penchant for waiting
out pitchers, will have to swing the bat. Minnesota walked an AL-low 356 hitters this
season, an average of 2.22 per nine innings. Minnesota's pitchers will not lose
because of lack of command.


'X' Factor

A's: How much the A's can depend on tough closer RHP Huston Street is uncertain. In
the heat of the AL West race, he blew consecutive save chances against Los Angeles
and Seattle (the latter would have clinched the division title). He returned from a
strained groin on Sept. 8 and fired off eight consecutive scoreless innings before
the recent slump.

Twins: Since May 19, the Twins have gone 51-1 in games when closer RHP Joe Nathan has
appeared. He has blown two of 33 save chances in that time, but the Twins rallied to
win one. With Mariano Rivera hurting, Nathan is the best closer appearing in the
playoffs. A great closer can be the difference in the postseason.


Evan sez


Twins in 5: This should be a riveting series. Both teams pitch well and do the things
necessary to win. It should be full of low-scoring games. Johan Santana would pitch
twice in a five-game series, and the Twins will win both. 1B Justin Morneau will win
another for them.


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