First Pitch: 1:05 CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network 1500
A week ago, the Twins were just polishing off a sweep of the Detroit Tigers. The sweep was putting the Twins in a three way tie atop the Central division. The Twins were tied with two team expected to finish last as the season started, so the Twins chances of outlasting their competition seemed. good.
Since then, little has gone right for the Twins. Now sitting 5.5 games back of Detroit in the division, the Twins are looking to steal the final game against the White Sox and dodge their second straight road series sweep and a total state of free fall.
Ok, as a Twins fan, I can deal with these shenanigans against the Yankees. I'm used to it against those guys, whatever it is, they just kill us.
But I will NOT tolerate losing to the White Sox like this. There is nothing I love more as a Twins fan than beating these guys. I have dreams about AJ Pierzynski punched in the face, I don't need my team taking it on the chops like this.
The good news for the Twins: I never reevaluate my preseason opinions of teams until around June 1st, which with the late start to the season this year is really around June 7th. Even then, I'll likely only moderately change my opinion on a surprise team's chances. From that perspective, I do not have faith in the Tigers or Royals ability to hold on all year and record a division championship. The Twins sit tied with the White Sox (and well above the dreadful Indians), so they're still well poised to win the division
Pitching Matchup
After Yankee's series where we surprisingly managed to get several very quality starting pitching performances and still lost, the wheels have started to wobble on the rotation's wagon. Yet to put together a solid couple trips through the order, Minnesota's young starters, expected to be the backbone of the team, have been probably the most troubling aspect of the young season. Blackburn has been on the dependable side, his only truly bad start when he gave up 6 ER in under 4 IP against Detroit on May 5. The simple formula for Blackburn will be even more accentuated in US Cellular Field. If he isn't getting grounders, the White Sox will find a way to get some fly balls out of the Cell's compact outfield.