The game of baseball has a storied history of superstitions ranging from team curses to player rituals. Whether it is jumping a foul line, not shaving, wearing the same item of clothing if amidst a streak, or one of the most famous (which Mariners announcer's did not abide by Wednesday night) which is not talking about a no-hitter or perfect game. All these superstitions play integral roles into the psyche of a ballplayer.
Baseball is not alone in its celebration of superstition. Society has several in its own right. These include but are not limited to walking under a ladder, a black cat crossing in front of your path and the number 13. Paraskavedekatriaphobia however, is one superstition that is talked about quite a bit and specifically today. Paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. The thought of Friday the 13th being a day of bad luck and or being evil dates back several centuries to English Folklore.
With the Twins battling the Devil Rays and the 24-game Dome winning streak of Johan Santana on the line tonight, do the members of Twins Nation need to be fearful of tonights game? In addition to all this history and superstition facing the Twins and Santana tonight, the Devil Rays are throwing a pretty quality pitcher in their own right with Scott Kazmir taking the hill.
Myself, being a believer of sports superstition, but not everyday superstition, am not overly afraid of the Friday the 13th potential. Being a statistician, I believe more in the numbers and how things play out that way.
Here are a five reasons why Paraskavedekatriaphobia will not intimidate Johan Santana, and the Twins Dome winning streak will reach 25 tonight:
1. The Devil Ray offense have a paltry career batting average against (BAA) off Santana of .167 (or 9-54), while the Twins offense have a BAA off of Kazmir of .277 (or 10-36)
2. Santana is 3-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 10 appearances against the Devil Rays while Kazmir is 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA in two career starts in the Metrodome.
3. Momentum. The Twins won in heroic fashion last evening on a walk off HR by MVP Justin Morneau putting them on a high, while deflating the momentum of the young Devil Rays.
4. 13 is a lucky number for the Twins tonight. Offensive starting lineup jerseys(1+8+7+5+33+48+16+11+18) add to 145. Johan goes 7 innings, Rincon 1 inning and Nathan seals it in the ninth (Jerseys 57+36+39 = 132). Offensive lineup of 145 - Pitching Lineup of 132 = Lucky 13.
5.The best living pitcher is throwing in the Dome for the Twins.
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