Back in the Pen!

After a too-long hiatus, the Bullpen Catcher has returned to the pen.

Time for a few thoughts about the first month of the Twins season:

1. Well, the Twins bullpen leaves a lot to be desired. When you have a knuckleballer in there, a few folks who can't keep the ball down, and Joe Nathan playing less than stellar, things are just not going to go well for this team. Right now it's starting pitching or nothing for the Twins. Maybe the Joe Crede aquisition was the big front page deal of the off-season, but what really stands out is how badly the team needed bullpen help and did nothing but get a very shakey Luis Ayala.
2. It sure is different when Joe Mauer plays, huh? When he's in the lineup and catching behind the plate, the Twins have a formidable lineup and strong defense. When he's not, well, you have either the option of Red Dog slapping one over to right field every once in a while or Jose Morales hitting, but struggling to mitt the ball.
3. When this pitching rotation gets in synch it could be fun to watch. Unfortunately, it's early and we haven't seen all five of the big arms put it together in the same karma zone. The first time this happens this year, the Twins will vault to first place. Think of it: Baker tosses one of his gems, Slowey follows it up, Liriano dominates, Perkins fools another team and Blackburn looks like he did when he was brilliant at times last year. That will be a hell of a week when it happens -- and it will sometime this season.
4. It would be nice to see Joe Crede get a hit.
5. It was the right choice to send Alexi Casilla to the minors. What the heck was that we were watching. Two words on Alexi so far this season: Clue Less.
6. Isn't it cool that of all the Big Four outfielders that Denard Span is the one producing? Span had that godawful Spring Training and then stepped into the regular season like it was last season again. He's one heck of a leadoff hitter.
7. Punto? Come on.
8. Ron Gardenhire is doing a pretty darn good job so far. Just on the guts of moving Casilla to the minors and in sticking with Span in the leadoff spot despite pressure to do other things is impressive enough.
9. Admit it: we all look over at that new stadium no matter what when we drive down I-94 or are on that side of town. Try not to look next time you're over there. Just try ...

Blackburn, Slowey, Baker keeping Twins alive

The Twins did it again this afternoon and took 2 of 3 from the Detroit Tigers. Just when you think this team will fade away, it gears up and keeps pace with those White Sox.

It's amazing to think that Blackburn, Slowey and Baker will all be around for years to come -- the promise of building a contender for 2010 in the new stadium seems to be real. But, for crying out loud, who would think the Twins could contend right now? In the next two years we just need Glen Perkins, Francisco Liriano or another pitcher to find his way into the rotation and to keep Joe Nathan back there closing.

Plus, with the way Casilla, Gomez, Mauer, Morneau and Buscher are playing lately, those younger players should be contributors in the future as well. It makes for a much more promising future outlook.

How 'bout the Rays?

Is anyone outside of New York City or Boston not rooting for Tampa Bay? After so many years of pathetic play in the difficult AL East, the Rays changed their uniforms, team name and entire play. Considering the crappy Metrodome-like stadium the Rays play in, the team and city deserve a year in contention.

Go Rays!

Twins take 3 of 4 from Red Sox

Twins playing as well as they look
in those cool sleeveless jerseys
By Bullpen Catcher

Monday's win over the defending World Champions gave the Twins the series and legitimatizes their chances to challenge for a playoff berth this season. Livan Hernandez improved to an unbelievable 6-1 overall while several other Twins are showing similar look again stats. Joe Mauer is supposed to hit .333. Justin Morneau is supposed to hit around .282 and be on pace for 122 RBI (which is his current rate). Joe Nathan is supposed to be impressive and dominating (as he's been all season). But what the heck is with Adam Everett popping off a home run? How about Craig Monroe hitting .284 with four home runs? I'm not sure anyone thought someone named Tolbert would be hitting .274 or that Nick Blackburn would be so darn good already.

Spaz Neshek's injury will test the bullpen, but Jesse Crain seems to be recovering better from his arm problems of last year. Maybe Glen Perkins will stick around long enough to provide a solid left-handed starting slot for the Twins.

Either way, this team is overachieving and chugging along. I've said it all season, but if the Twins can just hang around .500 they've got a chance to get into the Wild Card standings leaders at the end of the season. With the Central so darn mediocre, who knows?

A final surprise: The Twins are currently playing better than the Yankees, Blue Jays, Indians, Tigers, Mariners, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Brewers, Dodgers, Rockies and Padres. [I won't mention that the Tampa Bay Rays have a better record than the Minnesotans, though.]

Blackburn strong, but bats weak

Nick Blackburn gave about all you can expect of him and even Matt Grrrr worked himself out of trouble in relief, but the Twins bats have less hits in them than Taylor Hicks.

The Twins remain the lone team in Major League Baseball without a homerun. How 'bout that new, more powerful top of the lineup? If not for Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young putting the ball in play, there's not much to brag about across the batting order.

It's impressive that Blackburn held off that Angels lineup. They may be one of the top four hitting teams in baseball. When a kid gives you an effort like this you've got to provide a run or two. Here's hoping Morneau makes contact in the series finale so the team can earn a split.