The Twins Week Ahead - April 9

"I think it's a good idea." -- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach John McKay, when asked about his team's execution on the field

"The only thing worse than a Mets game is a Mets doubleheader." - Former Mets manager Casey Stengel

"We can't win at home. We can't win on the road. As general manager, I just can't figure out where else to play." - Former Orlando Magic GM Pat Williams

Last Week

• The Twins were swept in Baltimore, collecting fifteen hits and five runs in three games against three Orioles starters that all had ERAs north of 4.75 last year.
• Scott Baker threw only eleven pitches in a rehab start, claiming he "just couldn't get loose." The righthander is no closer to returning to the mound.
• Liam Hendriks, scheduled to start game three, went to the hospital with food poisioning, thus pushing Anthony Swarzak into duty as a starter. Swarzak, functioning as the team's third #3 starter of a season that is now three games old, pitched well but lost.

This Week's Schedule

After opening on the road, the Twins return to Target Field for their 2012 home opener, the beginning of a six-game homestand that includes visits from Anaheim and Texas. (Note on "Anaheim": it is the policy of this author that the Angels, having done linguistic cartwheels to adhere to their lease in Anaheim, should not be referred to as "Los Angeles" in any way, because this is stupid. The author also strongly feels that the Angels should have stuck with "California" and should also bring back Wally Joyner and Mark Langston, but he supposes that this cannot be helped.)

Keep an eye on the weather. Highs in the first half of the week are predicted to stay in the low 50s, with lows in the 30s. Wednesday evening's game could be frosty. Rain is also predicted for Friday.

The schedule:

• Monday: 3:10 PM vs. Anaheim. TV: FSN and MLB Network. Probables: Nick Blackburn vs. C.J. Wilson.
  
• Tuesday: RANDOM OFF DAY
• Wednesday: 7:10 PM vs. Anaheim. TV: FSN. Probables: Carl Pavano vs. Jered Weaver.
  
• Thursday: 12:10 PM vs. Anaheim. TV: FSN. Probables: Francisco Liriano vs. Dan Haren.
  
• Friday: 7:10 PM vs. Texas. TV: FSN. Probables: Anthony Swarzak vs. Matt Harrison.
  
• Saturday: 12:10 PM vs. Texas. TV: FOX Saturday Baseball. Probables: Nick Blackburn vs. Yu Darvish.
  
• Sunday: 1:10 PM vs. Texas. TV: FSN. Probables: Liam Hendriks vs. Neftali Feliz.