First Pitch: 6:05pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
Since trading Delmon Young to Detroit, the Twins are undefeated and the Tigers are winless. I see the beginning of a positive trend here...
Over his last nine starts, Nick Blackburn has given up 72 hits and 44 runs (36 earned) over a total of 45.1 innings pitched. Obviously, this isn't good, although Blackburn had a solid outing in his last start, giving up only one unearned run in 6.2 innings at home against the Boston Red Sox. Then again, when your defense allows one unearned run per start, I'd be nearing Pavano tantrum territory.
Justin Verlander is going for his major league leading 18th victory tonight. I vote we pull a Carlos Gomez on him, and Ben Revere, Tsuyoshi Nishioka et al bunt early and often in an attempt to rattle the ace. With a 0.87 WHIP, it's not like teams can count on anything else to work.
In other news, LEN III reports that minor league pitcher Lester Oliveros is the player to be named later in the Delmon Young trade. Oliveros is 23 years old, and has pitched at all minor league levels, as well as a cup of coffee with the Tigers in July. He's a big strikeout guy (317 in 254.2 innings), but he tends to walk guys as well (113 walks). Oliveros is expected to report to Rochester, but expect to see him with the Twins in September if not earlier.
I'd post lineups, but chances are two or three Twins have injured themselves during warmups so let's wait another hour.