Sweeeeeeep!!

The Twins have made up 3 games since Thursday in the American League Central due to the rain-shortened 2 game sweep over the division leading Indians.  I know it's a long season and a 3 game winning streak may not completely turn the year around, but what an encouraging weekend it was for our beloved Twins.  We saw some great things from the team, though, over this 3 game winning streak that will hopefully signal many more victories to come.  Here's what jumped out at me this Easter weekend...

The First Tenth

Well, there are only 146 games left in the season, and I feel like the Twins have given away that first 10%.  We'll call it their baseball tithe.  Only with a tithe, we expect the blessing to overflow once we have given that first 10%.  So, rather than dwell on the 6-10 record, last place in the Central, the .235 batting average, the 5 total home runs, and so on; let's think about what's to come.  After all, we're on a 2 game winning streak!

Mauer to the DL

Mauer is out with "bilateral leg weakness" until May...wait, bilateral leg weakness???  That sounds like it's time to change positions.  This is crazy how much of a beating and physical toll playing catcher is taking on Mr. Mauer.

I don't know where to put him, but I would be ok with never seeing him behind the plate ever again.  With the abundance we have of RF/DH's, I don't know that there is a way we can put him out there.  Obviously, we can't take Morneau out of the lineup and put him at 1st.  Can he pitch?  If he plays 3rd, that leaves Valencia as the odd man out.  Maybe Valencia can play short or 2nd.  I don't know that there is a solution without taking a solid bat out of the lineup, but these stints on the DL are getting very frustrating!  Sore legs should not be an issue, as I think Mauer is the first player to ever go on the DL for that kind of injury.  Is this like the "tired arm" injury that Blackburn was suffering from last year?

I need some ideas here.  Where can we put our favorite catcher so he doesn't end up out for 2 weeks with tired legs ever again?  Luckily, Nishioka and Mauer will be coming back around the same time now to make our annual second-half run to the Central Division title and leave Ozzie Guillen as confused as ever.

We're going to be ok... right?

• We're 4-7.


• We've looked punchless at the plate, especially in the early innings.


• We're inconsistent at best on the mound (rotation and bullpen included).

Is there any positivity right now? Of course there is! We're Twins Rubes! Go back 20 years ago... Remember 1991? I know, I know, that was 20 years ago. But you know what? When your looking for positivity for our Favorite 9, sometimes you just have to remember the good times. And 1991, that was a pretty good time. I know it's tough to sit back and watch us lose series to Toronto, New York, and Oakland, and split a 2-gamer with the Royals at home. But hey, let's find some positivity already! April 14, 1991. The Twins are at 2-4, only ahead of the winless Mariners and the 1-win Rangers. Fast forward 20 years to the day, April 14, 2011, we're 4-7, ahead of only the underachieving Red Sox, the punchless (and winless at home) Rays, and the Mariners. I'm not going to sit here and break down day-by-day statistics and say that we are on pace to win the World Series like '91 (although my track record shows that it wouldn't surprise anyone if I did that. WE COMIN!), but I will say that the Twins will be just fine! There are a group of veterans on this team that you can trust will turn things around - Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Kubel, Pavano, Span, etc. These guys are proven MLB players. We're not talking about hype, we're talking about proven division champions at the highest level. Let's sit back, enjoy a couple 13-14 brats, and enjoy a long summer of baseball. Marathon not sprint. Marathon not sprint. Marathon not sprint... A good series in Tampa against a struggling Rays team will make things feel a lot better in Loserville U.S.A. A rough weekend in Tampa? I'll be back... (Marathon not sprint. Marathon not sprint. Marathon not sprint...) Go Twins!

Speaking of more of the same...

This just in.......

Jesse Crain gives up a gopher ball in the 10th versus light-hitting Oakland. Rumor has it that Ozzie Guillen uttered words in Spanish that can't be repeated in English.

I love it when the Sox lose a heartbreaker!

Twins Struggles Continue

Another loss to the punchless A's. Actually, the A's are the ones making the Twins look punchless.

There has been a real disturbing trend from the Twins so far in this young season:
1. Pitchers are giving up 4 walks per game and have issued 5 wild pitches.
2. The Twins have committed 7 errors with a few other plays sprinkled in which have not counted as errors, but have hurt the team nonetheless.
3. The Twins are batting .214 right now and are on pace to hit about 54 home runs.

Trailer - MLB 11: THE SHOW Yankee Killer Trailer for PS2, PS3 and PSP

No, this is not a plug for MLB 11: The SHOW... (but you got to admit, that looks really sweet!) This is a preview of what is to come. Tonight, tomorrow night, Wednesday... heck, maybe even Thursday! The fact of the matter is, my Twins Rube-ness is extremely high today as we go to that ballpark in New York and try to win a couple games.

Stuck in Neutral

Uninspired. Lethargic. Frustrating. Those are the words I would use to describe the Twins first two games.

The first two games of the 2011 season have been something to forget. Actually, their performance thus far reminds me of their postseason performances in recent years: starting pitching that can't get out of the 5th inning and can't keep the ball in the park, fielding that has been shaky, and silent bats. Apparently the Twins forgot to bring bats to Toronto altogether.

Tomorrow is a new day, and it is only game 3 of the season, but this Twins fan is looking forward to the Twins playing a competitive game. After all, it can only get better from here.