GameThread: Twins @ Pirates, Game 40

First Pitch: 6:05 PM CST

TV: FSN

Radio: GO 96.3 FM

Know Thine Enemy: Bucs Dugout

I have to say that I'm surprised at how well Mike Pelfrey has pitched this year. He's returned to his dinger-stifling ways, but he's also completely ceased to strike out hitters. That's not a good recipe for success, but he's also never been a strikeout pitcher. Simply put, there will be regression at some point during the season. Let's just hope that tonight is not like his last start, where he failed to pitch 5 innings and gave up 4 runs.

Facing him is lefty Jeff Locke, another pitcher that succeeds by keeping the ball on the ground. His luck has gone in the opposite direction as Pelfrey's though, as his 5.40 ERA is high despite having some decent secondary numbers. He won't strike out a lot of hitters, but he should be a better pitcher than what he's shown thus far.

1. Danny Santana, SS
2. Brian Dozier, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, 1B
4. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
5. Torii Hunter, RF
6. Kurt Suzuki, C
7. Aaron Hicks, CF
8. Shane Robinson, LF
9. Mike Pelfrey, P