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Three reasons for Twins' fans to be optimistic - part one
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AP Photo/Jim Mone
Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. With the dog days now looming, here are three reasons why Twins' fans should be optimistic.
1. Middle of the Order. Joe Mauer's offensive powress to start this season has been well-documented. Of course, he went out Sunday night and RAISED his batting average 11 points, hit a tape measure homer to start the scoring for the Twins in the first, and was hit on the hand. Fortunately, he stayed in the game, and Twins Territory breathed a sigh of relief. Sitting at .438/.525/.875 with 10 HR and 29 RBI on Memorial Day is nothing short of amazing.
Justin Morneau's start has not garnered as much attention as Mauer's, but he's still raking early on. His 343/.425/.657 line with 13 HR and 40 RBI - including a decisive grand slam on Sunday night - is one reason why the Twins are in the hunt.
Jason Kubel missed the last three games with a sore knee, but he has provided solid production at the plate with .336/.373/.536 with 11 doubles, 1 triple, 5 HR, and 23 RBI. He has been much better suited for the DH role, and given his balky knee, look for the Twins to severely limit his play in the field for the short run. The Twins are definately better for that.
Michael Cuddyer has been one of the Twins more solid hitters of late. He hit for the cycle on Friday night and is providing production since the Twins put him back in the cleanup spot. He's hitting .341/.426/.670 in May with 6 HR and 23 RBI and sees a lot of fastballs hitting behind Morneau and ahead of Kubel.
Joe Crede has also stepped up as of late. Before getting hit on the hand on Sunday and having to leave the game, the 3B hit his third homer in four games, and now has eight for the season. His batting line of .240/.304/.488 tracks with his career averages, but the Twins signed him to provide some production and play a solid third base, and his 8 HR and 21 RBI have given the Twins what they asked for.
These hitters give the Twins solid production in spots 2-6 in the batting order, and mask the complete lack of production from the shortstop and center field positions.
Sunday's Game Wrap: The Twins swept Milwaukee at the Dome with a 6-3 victory. Mauer's solo shot got the Twins started in the bottom of the first, and Scott Baker was solid throughout.
Baker pitched into the 9th inning for the first time this season and allowed just five Milwaukee hits and one run through his first eight innings. He surrendered a leadoff single to Casey McGehee in the 9th and a one-out homer to Prince Fielder before Joe Nathan finished up for the save. The righty won for just the second time this season against five losses, and dropped his ERA from 6.98 to a still-high 6.32. However, Sunday's game showcased the Baker we saw so much in 2008, and the Twins are hopeful he can continue the momentum.
Morneau's grand slam in the 7th inning provided the decisive margin. Crede's solo shot provided the balance of the Twins' scoring.
Mauer was 5-8 in the series with 2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 runs scored, 3 walks, and 1 hit by pitch. Morneau was 6-10 with a triple, a homer, 7 RBI, and 4 runs scored. Cuddyer was 5-11 with a cycle Friday night, and 5 RBI. Finally, Crede was 4-10 with 2 homers and 3 RBI. The middle of the order provided the production, the Twins got three good starts from their pitching staff, and the result was three wins.
Next up is the Boston Red Sox for four games beginning Monday afternoon. Francisco Liriano goes to the hill in search of his 2006 form, opposing Brad Penny.
In the meantime: Read Nick's Twins Blog's reasons to be optimistic, Twins Fix for more on Mauer's tremendous May, and Twinkie Town's recap of the weekend series.
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