I was wondering why no one ever talks about the minnesota twins... U have Dan Gladden hitting lead off with good speed, Gary Gaetti, Puckett, and Kent Hrbek all with good power...then Brunasky, Gagne, Luander, and Lombardozzi who r all decent enough to not be considered bad, and a bench with relatively decent power and speed(as far as benches go)...the twins can tango with any given team and that includes both All-Star teams...what do u think?
Sure, they are a decent team. They have above average pitching including (arguably) the best 1-2 punch in the game (starter-reliever).
The main problem is with their offense. Sorry to say, but Gladden is a bag of ass. Puckett may be the biggest underachiever in the game. Herbeck is either a HR or an out. Seems like I get a 9-3 putout every game with Herbeck batting.
I really like Gaetti and Bruno, and Laudnr is quality in the 7-spot. However, just too many average guys on the team, and maybe the weakest bench on the game.
That being said, the highest scoring STR8 pitch game I have ever been involved in was a MN victory over SF. That also being said, pretty much any team can be competetive against any other team (save Ho) in STR8 pitch.
So, maybe they are competetive in STR8 pitch, but in ATG style play, they just don't stack up unless you can throw 7-8 innings of shutout ball with Blylvn/Brnger
I once beat joe dirt while I was using Mn. That's their only claim to fame.
Most times you can pitch around the heart of the order and the bottom of the order is so shitty they'll rarely drive in the runs.
One of my college roommates always used the twins and always won, so I try not to talk about it. It brings back too much pain.
Welcome northstarbob!
The Twins definitely aren't bad, but they are a notch below the big boys. I agree with Stock that their offense is the problem, but specifically their bench is absolutely horrible. Randy Bush is the only guy worthy of being a starter, but a few deficiencies in the starting lineup force you to use a Larkin/Smalley full time. That just blows...
If they only had a Ruppert/Madlock/Armas/McGwire type sub, they would be much more competitive...
Whose twins are we talking about?
Because, if it's the Coors twins, it probably changes the discussion a bit.
(http://cityguide.centralohio.com/fe/Calendar/359528-126766.jpg)
This tread is crazy. Twins suck. It's too easy to get Gladden out (grounder to P), walk Gaetti, get Puckett out, load bases with walks to Hrbek and Bruno, then double up the 6 hole. Then get Laudner and Lombardozzi and P out...then repeat...
Just too easy...and you don't even have to worry about your pitch count to do this!
I like the Twins, I'll kick your ass Joe Dirt
Quote from: JoeDirt on 08/18/05, 09:17:11 PM
This tread is crazy. Twins suck. It's too easy to get Gladden out (grounder to P), walk Gaetti, get Puckett out, load bases with walks to Hrbek and Bruno, then double up the 6 hole. Then get Laudner and Lombardozzi and P out...then repeat...
Just too easy...and you don't even have to worry about your pitch count to do this!
Twins (Ryno) 8
Cards (JoeD) 3
The twins may seem like an average team at best if u keep their crappy players in the lineup. Gladden is no good so u sub Bush who has some pop. Gaetti and puckett arent superstars but they can get a couple long balls on a good day. Hrbek is ur man, lefty and can hit em off the screen. Brnsky is pretty solid. Gagne must go, bring in smalley. Hes probably not gonna win any awards but hes definetly better than gagne. Laudner is ok, and bring in larkin for lombardozzi. Larkin is better than his 4 hr's suggest. Combine this ok lineup with the great stamina and curves of Blyeven and strong bullpen of Rearden and berenguer and the twins are very tough in curve style. All lineup substitutions credited to Gantry.
Twins are terrible. In fact, I argued they are worst team in RBI a few months ago (granted I got shredded for it).
And their bench is so bad too.
I love their staff, but I still claim they have worst lineup in the game. Puckett is terrible.
The Twins seem to have more power than anyone besides the two All-Star teams and Bo and Dt. I can't see how they are possibly any worse than Houston. I'd say they are also better than StL by a good amount, NY and SF by a decent amount, and probably as good or better than Ca.
It should be noted, though, that I almost NEVER use Mn, so maybe these are false impressions.
Nacho...play with them instead of looking at the stats/ratings. They really are that bad. There's no way they are even close to Sf's level...
Quote from: JoeDirt on 08/30/05, 10:20:27 PM
Nacho...play with them instead of looking at the stats/ratings. They really are that bad. There's no way they are even close to Sf's level...
As I mentioned earlier, I base it off the fact that I was always beaten by Strassy and I's roommate who used Mn all the time. He was annoyingly good at nearly all video games, though, so maybe the fact that he beat me (and Strassy) consistently is based on talent rather than the strength of Mn. I shall forever refuse to believe this, however, to preserve my pride.
You said you almost never play with them. I said play with them.
he can't...he doesn't own a copy of RBI. yes, this is blasphemy
Quote from: JoeDirt on 08/30/05, 11:05:01 PM
You said you almost never play with them. I said play with them.
And I said I don't want to do this for fear of crushing my reality which says that I only lost because my roommate was using Minnesota. If I play and find that Mn actually sucks, I lose dignity, whereas if I don't play at all I lose nothing.
Quote from: Strassy on 08/30/05, 11:08:50 PM
he can't...he doesn't own a copy of RBI. yes, this is blasphemy
Because I nobly returned your copy to you. Would you rather I defile your character by keeping your copy?
They definately have that American league feel to them. Puckett is an underachiever who should be spraying the ball all over the place. Bruno is the best power hitter. I've always liked what I have received from Gladden from a production standpoint, and I always am surprised at what Lombardozzi provides in the two at bats that I alllow him to have. Smalley is a bitch off the bench whenever I face him.
I really have trust in Bush and Larkin. Great clubhouse guys who embrace their roles.
We have yet to talk of the pitching. Overall a solid staff with the two starters who are both gamers, and then you have the flame-throwing Juan. Reardon is a weak spot. Esp. in strait pitch mode, he always lets you down in the clutch.
Quote from: Nacho on 08/30/05, 11:09:52 PM
Quote from: Strassy on 08/30/05, 11:08:50 PM
he can't...he doesn't own a copy of RBI. yes, this is blasphemy
Because I nobly returned your copy to you. Would you rather I defile your character by keeping your copy?
i would rather you go buy one! viva la RBI!
I still say Mn's biggest problem is their butt-awful bench. This keeps your late-in-the-order scrubs in a barely-improved position. Is there any worse 6-7-8 combo after subs than Gagne/Smalley-Laudner-Larkin? No other teams has such a weak-ass bottom of the order after you get your subs in. And as much as I like Bush, he is a mediocre #1 sub. So realistically 6 through 1 in the Twins order is weak as hell, even after subs and any strategy you want to put forth. You are wat too dependant on 2-5 for getting any runs...
I agree that Burning Bush is a good clubhouse guy. Larkin keeps the team loose. But as far as on-the-field contributions, this offense is terrible. You may win with 'Tonka, but it will be because of their pitching.
Happy with Gladden's contributions? You must be joking!
Joe Dirt, if you opponent allows you to get that many walks and STILL not work your pitch count at all, you most likely could beat your opponent using HOU and it's relievers against the BoSox and an 8 man pitching staff.
No way on earth Octo or I could get away with that against each other, any walk should consist of at least six pitches, and there's no way a good player couldn't get you to work your pitch count.
I guess what I'm really trying to say is "Anyone who uses all four pitches is a pussy, real players play with two starters per two games the way god intended it"
They are a middle of the road team. They are much more effective in a anything goes type game. Both their starters are solid if used correctly. Their bullpen sucks, as well as their bench.
I gotta agree with Gantry on this one. Minnesota's biggest problem is the extreme dropoff after Burnzky. Crap, crap, crap, crap.