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2009-10 Twins: 38-20 when Michael Cuddyer plays entire game at 1B

Strange but true.

August 2, 2010 at 6:58PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Odd statistic of the day: When Michael Cuddyer has been the team's starting first baseman over the past two seasons and has played the entire game at that position -- which essentially means Justin Morneau didn't play in any of those games -- the Twins are 38-20. This does not mean the Twins don't need Morneau. Not even close. He's a former MVP who was having an MVP-caliber season when he went down this year.

It is simply an acknowledgment that being able to slide Cuddy into that spot (he's a .301 career hitter as a first baseman, by the way) and fill in behind him in the outfield has been absolutely critical to the Twins' ability to both make the playoffs last season (23-9 with Cuddyer at first base, including 16-4 in the final 20 games of the season) and stay in the race this year (15-11 overall with him at first, including 13-3 in the past 16, which coincided with his 15-game hitting streak that ended Sunday).

That sentiment is probably obvious. But we were still a little overwhelmed by the 38-20 mark when we looked it up today. Clearly it's not all Cuddy. Starting pitching sure helps. But he is a key to that record without a doubt.

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about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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