The Twins' lineup was posted shortly before 3 p.m. on Twitter via several outlets, and the pitchforks are already out.
We try not to get too wrapped up in the whole Joe Mauer playing time discussion, but the folks on Twitter are already outraged and this time they have a point. Our quick take:
Mauer is not playing for the second consecutive day, and that's not acceptable. We say that with full awareness that Carl Pavano (tonight's pitcher) and catcher Drew Butera work well together (not that, um, Mauer and Pavano didn't work well together in Pavano's last start, a one-run gem). That said, if it was already determined that Mauer was not going to catch tonight, and he's not suffering from some sort of undisclosed injury beyond aches and pains, then Mauer should have either caught yesterday or been the DH tonight. No other way around it, especially when the guy absolutely mashes at Tropicana Field (.400-plus BA in his career).
We'll entertain your (hopefully reasoned) thoughts in the comments.
