Tonight: Span or Repko in center?

Today, I assisted Fangraph.com's Carson Cistulli in answering the question: Who should start in center, Denard Span or Jason Repko? 


For this particular instance, I favored Repko over Denard. Certainly with the Rangers starting the left-handed killing machine in CJ Wilson combined with Span's need to readjust his approach, today merits the opportunity to give the starting center fielder a night off.


However, there is a contingent of voices in Twins Territory that are crying for a more permanent switch. Because of Repko's defensive prowess and sudden offensive surge in his limited capacity, there has been rumblings to bench Span in favor of Repko altogether. This, of course, is absurd.


Admittedly, Span is in need of some respite, as he has been flummoxed by opponents who have altered their approach by firing strikes early in the count when data/scouting showed Span didn't swing. Repko, while playing effectively in small doses, does not have nearly the same skill set that an effective Denard Span has when it comes to leading off. The right-hander manages to strike out in over 25% of his big league plate appearances leading to a .300 OBP in his career. That just won't cut it in the lead off spot. The Twins need Span's presence at the top of the order and they need him to make adjustments quickly. 

• Over at DiamondCentric, we are currently weighing options for the next shirt honoring Carl Pavano. Take a look at the potential styles at my Twitter account and please provide us with some feedback. 
• Seth Stohs looks at last night's game and raises plenty of discussion points. 
• Likewise, Andrew at Off The Mark takes a closer look at the decisions made late in last night's game. 
• Nick Nelson examines the favorable atmosphere of home field advantage in the playoffs -- with a foregone conclusion that the Twins will be a part of that mix.
• More on Jesse Crain's improvements via Pioneer Press.
• Carlos Gomez is up to his old tricks in Milwaukee. In spite of a lowly .228/.285/.348 batting line as the recently added Lorenzo Cain, who has hit .314/.368/.431 in fewer than 60 plate appearances, Gomez still brazenly admits that he is "the man" for the Brewers. The money line? "At this point, Gomez appears to be really good at only two things -- running, and running his mouth."
• Former Twins pitcher Matt Kinney was recently suspended for 50-games after testing positive for amphetamines. The 33-year-old Kinney was pitching for the Giants' AAA-affiliate in Fresno. 
• Branden Harris, who was sent down to Rochester in late June, has been flustered in his demotion, saying “I can’t believe where I am. I don’t have that sense of entitlement, I just can’t believe how things went south so quickly. From signing the two-year deal, to having a good spring training, to here.”
• Ken Lipshez of the New Britain Herald informs us that Bill Smith is still very much counting on Terry Ryan's seal of approval when concocting deals.