Taking a page from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Twins employed an “opener” strategy on Sunday, in which a series of relievers pitches the game instead of a traditional starting pitcher. The theory behind it is that once the starting reliever or closer has faced the toughest part of the batting order, the “primary pitcher”... Continue Reading »

I’ll confess: I wasn’t optimistic about the Twins’ chances against the Toronto Blue Jays, a team they have historically struggled to beat. But the Twins proved me wrong (Have a little faith, right?) after they blasted the Blue Jays on Wednesday and swept the three-game series. It was the Twins’ first sweep of the Blue... Continue Reading »

The Twins will not go gently into that good night after they shook off a three-game sweep and pounded the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, 8-3. The offense kicked it into gear and scored eight runs on 13 hits, including home runs from Logan Morrison and Max Kepler. Joe Mauer and Mitch Garver also had... Continue Reading »

If the Twins truly are going to wheel and deal before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, then they might as well start with the bullpen. I say that because of the history-making Saturday the Tampa Bay Rays had after they became the first team in the live ball era (since 1920) to score five... Continue Reading »

Jose Berrios held the Detroit Tigers to one run over six innings, then watched as reliever Addison Reed gave it all away in a 5-2 loss on Wednesday. In the bottom of the eighth, Reed gave up five hits, four runs, but only three were earned because of a throwing error. Still, the damage was... Continue Reading »

If Wednesday’s 16-inning game between the Twins and Cleveland Indians is an indication of things to come, we can expect the two teams to duel all season long for bragging rights in the American League Central. And like two evenly matched teams, the Twins and Tribe split their first meeting of the season. Ace Corey... Continue Reading »

What a difference a few months make. It was in July that the Twins sent closer Brandon Kintzler and his 28 saves to the Washington Nationals, which left many Twins fans asking: Why? Some thought, including this blogger, that the Twins had thrown in the towel after a difficult, mid-season stretch of games. Or maybe... Continue Reading »

Brian Dozier hit a dramatic three-run home run and the Twins came from behind Tuesday to beat the red-hot Cleveland Indians, 8-6. The Twins have won five straight and improved to 83-74. Every team that was in contention for the second wild card spot in the American League has been eliminated, except for the Los... Continue Reading »

A little momentum helps after all. A win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday carried into Thursday after the Twins came from behind in the top of the ninth to beat the Kansas City Royals, 4-2. The Twins got enough pitching, enough hitting and plenty of defense, with the team turning four double plays... Continue Reading »