Week 1 Review: Minnesota Twins

Note: all images obtained from a Google image search at google.com

• I was proven correct in my prediction of the slow start for the Twins, as they finished 2-4 against AL East powers in Canada (yes, the Blue Jays count as a power, if for no other reason than for the sheer amount of power they feature in their lineup) and the Bronx, with one game postponed till September (which I consider a break in favor the Twins).  I have absolutely no faith in Minnesota beating either of these teams, as they are now 13-30 against Toronto and 12-28 against New York since the beginning of the 2006 season (and 7-32 at Yankee Stadium under Ron Gardenhire).  Still, this is the only trip Minnesota takes to either location this season (the makeup game in New York not withstanding), and the opening month no longer looks quite as daunting from here thanks to Tampa Bay’s struggles without stud Evan Longoria.

• The Justin Morneau watch has gone swimmingly thus far.  He struggled production-wise in Toronto (1-10, 1 RBI), despite hitting a couple of balls hard, and was finally rewarded in New York with a couple of doubles and runs.  It’ll still be a process with him, but I’m slowly starting to see him progress to the point where he’ll be able to handle the cleanup spot capably, and hopefully soon after, at a very high level.

This is not a pleasant sight for Twins fans.

• Alas, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on some bad news, as new Twins’ Japanese import 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka broke his leg trying to complete a double play in the 7^th inning of Wednesday’s loss to the Yankees.  The extent of the break is unknown at this point, and it may be a day or 2 before a prognosis of time Nishioka is expected to miss is announced.  The impact on the Twins lineup and defense in the short-term will probably not be too great, but the ramifications are wide-reaching.  The fact is that Nishioka needs games and reps to feel comfortable making the transition to the American game, and this injury prevents him from doing just that.  This guy set the all-time single season hits record in Japan last year (topping Ichiro’s mark), and won Gold Gloves at both middle-infield positions.  Say what you will about his slow start and his being overmatched at the plate in the early part of the season; Nishi will be missed.

Luuuuuuuuuuuke!

• In the mean time, Luke Hughes has been recalled to take Nishi’s spot in the order.  Hughes doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence, as he hasn’t hit very much the past 2 seasons.  He did, however, lead the Grapefruit League with 6 homers and 15 RBI this spring, and was one of the last of the Twins’ cuts.  He also hit 15 homers, drive in 40 runs, and put together an average of .319 and an OPS of .936 in 70 games in Class AA ball in 2008, and perhaps memorably, hit a home run in his first major league at-bat last year in Detroit.  He has played the most at 2^nd base of any position, and should fill in capably.  He’ll also be the primary starter there, with Matt Tolbert continuing to be no more than a late-inning defensive replacement and occasional starter.

• The starting staff of the Twins should be given ample opportunity to work out its struggles following a difficult first week, as the Oakland offense pales in comparison to those of Minnesota’s first two opponents.  Newest additions David DeJesus, Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui, the new 3-4-5 hitters for the A’s have each gotten off to slow starts, as has the team, who share Minnesota’s record of 2-4.  It should be a pretty low-scoring series though, as the rotation of Oakland remains a force.  Carl Pavano is matched up with A’s lefty Brett Anderson, who allowed just 1 run on 6 hits in his first start, and has given the Twins fits in the past (1.09 WHIP against Minnesota, the 3^rd-lowest against any opponent).

Cappy has led the Twins bullpen resurgence following a slow start.

• After a terrible showing in the 1^st 2 games in Toronto, the Twins bullpen has been outstanding in its last 4 games, with Joe Nathan’s 1 run allowed in Sunday’s win against the Blue Jays being the only one given up in 11 1/3 innings.  Matt Capps in particular has been stellar, rescuing the Twins by extricating them from a 2-on no-out situation to preserve a 1-run lead in that same win in Toronto, and following that up with a 2 innings of shutdown relief to keep the Tuesday game tied in New York and eventually picking up the victory.  I absolutely give the Twins in bullpen edge in the coming Oakland series, as the 3 former Twins relievers they feature (Grant Balfour, Craig Breslow, and Brian Fuentes) each have struggled and taken a loss so far in the young season.  The loss of Andrew Bailey to an elbow injury has weakened the Oakland ‘pen, and it will be worth watching to see if the Twins can rally from a late deficit against them in the friendly confines of Target Field this weekend.

That’s it for me for this week.  Enjoy this week’s games (the next 5 are at home, as Kansas City is in town for 2 games following Oakland), and I’ll be back next week!