First Pitch: 5:40pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: DRays Bay
Shields follwed up a great first outing with a second one that included three home runs. After having a down season in 2010, one in which he led the league in hits allowed and home runs allowed, no doubt Tampa fans are interested in seeing which Shields they have this season.
His lower-90s fastball is mediocre, evidenced by the fact that he throws is less than 50% of the time to both right and left-handed hitters. Instead he mixes in a good share of breaking balls and plenty of changeups, especially in pitcher's counts. At his best it's a great pitch.
Pavano still hasn't struck out more than three batters in a game since August, evidence of his increasing inability to miss bats. His ability to get batters out reminds me a lot more of Nick Blackburn at this point in his career, where ground balls, good command, and inducing swings at pitches outside the strike zone are all essential to his success. We'll see how he does tonight against a team that is typically known to be pretty patience.
Twins
Span, CF
Cuddyer, 2B
Morneau, 1B
Thome, DH
Young, LF
Kubel, RF
Valencia, 3B
Butera, C
Casilla, SS
Fuld, LF
Damon, DH
Upton, CF
Lopez, 3B
Zobrist, 2B
Joyce, RF
Johnson, 1B
Jaso, C
Brignac, SS