Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell has been given another chance to put his “General Manager” hat on and make his third trade in the month of February.

And just like his other two trades, it would involve a revered franchise player.

However, there is a little twist to his potential third one that the first two didn’t have. This time, the player requested that Waddell make a deal.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported yesterday that Slava Kozlov told Waddell that he wants the team to trade him and that he would waive his no trade clause.

They are two elements to this trade that intrigue me:
(1) The Timing of the Announcement.
(2) Kozlov’s willingness to waive his no trade clause.

With the news about Kozlov’s request breaking on Friday, the timing is perfect because the NHL is beginning to return back from its Winter Olympics Vacation. The Thrashers return to the ice in less than three days, giving Waddell a chance to get the wheels spinning before Atlanta’s first game.

The other part that made my eyes perk up a little bit, Kozlov wanted to waive his no trade clause, because he wanted to be traded to a playoff contending team.

Kozlov doesn’t think that he is on a playoff contending?

Sure, the Thrashers are in 11th place when the league’s playoffs only takes the top eight and there are only 22 games left in the season, but you are also within just two points behind the eighth place Montreal Canadiens.

Who else on the Thrashers’ roster feels that he is not a playoff contending team?
What is even worse than that kind of morale on the team, no deadly, is a team who is struggling with attendance, trading away the faces of the team.

Kozlov has been with the Thrashers since 2002, having two different stints with the team. He spent two years with Atlanta from 2002-2004, then spent the 2004-2005 year in Russia, before returning to the Thrashers in 2005.

He is Atlanta’s all-time leader in power play assists, is second in goals, assists, and games played. He also has the franchise mark for consecutive starts with 251.

Atlanta Thrashers general manager Don Waddell has been given another chance to put his “General Manager” hat on and make his third trade in the month of February.
And just like his other two trades, it would involve a revered franchise player.
However, there is a little twist to his potential third one that the first two didn’t have. This time, the player requested that Waddell make a deal.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported yesterday that Slava Kozlov told Waddell that he wants the team to trade him and that he would waive his no trade clause.
They are two elements to this trade that intrigue me:
(1) The Timing of the Announcement.
(2) Kozlov’s willingness to waive his no trade clause.
With the news about Kozlov’s request breaking on Friday, the timing is perfect because the NHL is beginning to return back from its Winter Olympics Vacation. The Thrashers return to the ice in less than four days, giving Waddell a chance to get the wheels spinning before Atlanta’s first game.
The other part that made my eyes perk up a little bit, Kozlov wanted to waive his no trade clause, because he wanted to be traded to a playoff contending team.
Kozlov doesn’t think that he is on a playoff contending?
Sure, the Thrashers are in 11th place when the league’s playoffs only takes the top eight and there are only 22 games left in the season, but you are also within just two points behind the eighth place Montreal Canadiens.
Who else on the Thrashers’ roster feels that he is not a playoff contending team?
What is could be even worse than that kind of morale on the team worse that that, no deadly, is a team who is struggling with attendance, trading away the faces of the team.
Kozlov has been with the Thrashers since 2002, having two different stints with the team. He spent two years with Atlanta from 2002-2004, then spent the 2004-2005 year in Russia, before returning to the Thrashers in 2005.
He is Atlanta’s all-time leader in power play assists, is second in goals, assists, and games played. He also has the franchise mark for consecutive starts with 251.

Impact rookies:  None

Boom:  Kendry Morales, Jered Weaver

Bust: Juan Rivera, Scott Kazmir

Sleeper: Brandon Wood, Howie Kendrick 

OFFENSIVE GRADE: B

Despite a brilliant 2009 season, Kendry Morales is still undervalued. He has great power, hits with runners in scoring position and is a threat to win a batting title. The Angels now have their middle of the order presence to replace Val Guerrero. Torii Hunter is still a 25/25 outfielder but remember he is getting older. Speaking of oldies but goodies, Hideki Matsui brings his RBI bat with him to Los Angeles and will no doubt continue to be a solid run producer and be a full time DH. Bobby Abreu had a renaissance in ’09, but keep in mind he was playing for a contract. I would be surprised to see him top 30 steals again. Eric Aybar was a nice surprise at short last year. He can fill the void if you miss out on the big names and want to be patient and fill your middle infield slots in the later rounds.

Howie Kendrick has been automatic in his young career. He struggles mightily in the first half, gets sent down and tears it up down the stretch. If he can put his bad starts behind him Kendrick will be an impact fantasy second baseman. Brandon Wood seems to be pacing in Kendry Morales’ footsteps as Mike Scioscia refused to let him get a legit shot with the big club even though he destroyed minor league pitching. Wood has real power and now a real position. Keep an eye on him. Your cohorts will forget just how much talent this youngster has. If you are desperate for some cheap power Mike Napoli can help at catcher but he is not recommended long term and Juan Rivera is not as good as he played last year. He has bust written all over him.

 ROTATION GRADE: B-

Jered Weaver pitched like an ace most of the year and he will carry the load for the Angels in 2010. You have to like what you saw out of him and he is a double digit win lock. Scott Kazmir did improve under the Angels’ watch, but I am still very skeptical of his ability to stay on the mound and throw more than five innings at a clip. He just throws way too many pitches. Newly acquired Joel Pineiro has a lot to prove and I think he will be 80% of what he was in 2009 which is worth owning but he is not a difference maker. Joe Saunders is a decent roto arm for wins and ERA but not in points leagues unless he has two very favorable matchups in the same week. Ervin Santana is coming off arm trouble and should be a better pick this season, but do not expect the 2008 model…that is likely discontinued.

BULLPEN GRADE: B-

Brain Fuentes might have piled on the saves but he was shaky in many outings. Fernando Rodney will either push him to be better or push him out of the ninth inning. Draft then both if you can.

CONCLUSION:

This revamped Angels squad has some nice depth and some old standbys that can still get the job done.

Joe Pisapia is also a contributor for www.fantasybaseballgeeks.com as “Son of Zim”

Follow him on Twitter @ JoePisapia17

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

The baseball wonks liked the Twins’ chances of taking three of four against the Tigers because Eddie Bonine and Nate Robertson were going to pitch in the final two games of the series along with Carl Pavano being undefeated against the Tigers all season.

Tonight’s game proved that trends and predictions are useless.

The Twins could not hit Bonine while the Tigers hit Pavano. In the end, the Tigers took total command of the series by earning a 7-2 victory, and now they are in a position to celebrate a divisional title tomorrow afternoon.

This might as well be game, set and match.

The Twins needed to win tonight’s game for a shot to win the series tomorrow afternoon.

Winning the series could have put the Twins in a good position to win the division.

Now, it could be the Tigers taking the series. It’s hard to believe the Twins have anything left after what took place tonight.

This loss deflates the Twins while the Tigers will feed of that victory.

Simply put, Bonine outpitched Pavano.

Tonight’s Tigers starter knew how to get out of a jam despite giving up two runs in the first inning. Had he fell apart, this game would have been over and he would be out of the game in the first.

Instead, Bonine pitched well for the rest of the night by forcing the Twins to hit grounders to the infield.

As for Pavano, he failed to deliver. He worked all night to survive, but in the end, the Tigers got the best out of him by stroking key hits in situations and it gave the Tigers runs.

It’s a good thing baseball is not played based on paper or what the experts think. It’s always about who performs.

The Tigers liked their chances in this game for couple of reasons.

For one thing, Bonine pitched well in his last start against the White Sox by matching up well against Jake Peavy. He made one mistake by giving up a home run, but other than that, it’s hard to quibble what he did.

Despite Pavano’s record against the Tigers, the Tigers quietly felt good about hitting him. It’s not like the Twins starter was Justin Verlander.

Pavano gets by more often than not, and the Tigers felt they can expose him. In Pavano’s last start against the Tigers, the Tigers hit the ball well against him so that should made them feel good about themselves.

The AL Central division leader had no pressure to win this series. Even if the Twins took the series, they were in good shape knowing they got several more home games to win the division.

The Tigers felt good knowing that it would be impossible for the Twins to win the series at Comerica Park where the home team rarely loses.

For the Twins to rely on Pavano to save their season, well that’s absurd. It shows the weakness of the starting rotation despite how the Twins starters perform while being inserted in the rotation several weeks ago.

Now, the Tigers will likely taste campaign tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight determined who won the division for all intents and purposes.

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The Fan Huddle Radio Network is a growing independent sports talk network to compliment the news and analysis that is featured on Fan Huddle. We feature the highest quality programming to keep you in the loop, year round. Shows can be listened to LIVE during their scheduled time or in archives at your next convenience. Either way, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Participate in our Shows

From football to basketball to baseball to hockey and more, the Fan Huddle Radio Network has you covered. Be sure to explore all our network has to offer. However, we don’t just want you to listen to our shows, we also want to listen to what you have to say. Most of our shows offer an option to call in and speak your mind. Additionally, feel free to let your opinion be heard on our message board or by using the contact link found at the top of every page.

More Information

For more information on individual shows on the network, you can use the links on the right hand side.