Twins: Span (CF), Revere (RF), Mauer (1B), Willingham (LF), Doumit (DH), Dozier (SS), Casilla (2B), Butera (C), Carroll (3B)

Royals: Gordon (LF), Escobar (SS), Moustakas (3B), Butler (DH), Cain (CF), Perez (C), Francoeur (RF), Hosmer (1B), Getz (2B)

At his best, Guthrie was never more than a number four or number five who could throw 200 innings a year without killing you. He was less an asset, and more a pitcher who simply wouldn't hurt you. At his best.

At his worst, he's a hittable pitcher who is prone to giving up home runs and can't get a swinging strike. That's who he's been this season. Over a 200-inning season he'd allow 46 home runs, at his current pace.

If the Twins don't light up Guthrie today, I'll be disappointed. Which means I'll be disappointed, naturally.

With 83 and 99 pitches in his first two big league starts, respectively, Deduno is ready to go as long as the Twins need him to. It'd be nice to see him finish the sixth today. But with Diamond and De Vries already giving the team more than they could have hoped for, maybe asking for consistent effectiveness from another minor league starter would be too much. I guess we'll see.