10 Wins for the rotation

So the Twins are able to salvage at least one game from the lowly Mariners yesterday in Seattle. I feel generous even using the word salvage as the series can be described by nothing other than a disappointment. That being said, it's great to see a little bite and retaliation by the young Twins ballclub. This will be needed down the stretch and especially if the team makes the playoffs.

Thanks to Baltimore clubbing the White Sox the Twins sit just a game behind first place in the Central. With Chicago off today and the Twins starting a 4-game series, the Twins have an opportunity to pick up a 1/2 game this evening.


Tonight Nick Blackburn takes the hill looking for 10th win of the season. Blackburn is 9-8 this season and has actually pitched better than his records displays. He was a victim of poor run support early in the season and like every pitcher in the rotation has lost a few of his potential wins due to a bullpen blowup.

The thought of Blacky grabbing his 10th win made me think about this young rotation. If Blackburn can get number 10 he'll join Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and the departed Livan Hernandez as Twin starting pitchers with at least 10 victories this season. Scott Baker, who has arguably been the best starting pitcher this year, boasts a record of just 7-4 but also has been a victim of poor run support and bullpen blowups.

Baker still has enough time to grab 10 victories while Francisco Liriano will simply not have enough starts since being called up to claim 10 wins (but if you consider his domination in AAA the lefty currently has 14 victories in 2008). The unexpected success of the Twins this year makes me excited, but the thought of an entire rotation at or below the age of 26 and all with 10 wins makes me REALLY excited!

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Starting Rotation

With so many questions in this year's rotation only one thing is for sure: 2 time Cy Young Winner and former Twins ace, Johan Santana, is gone.

In the 2008 rotation you have a 33-year old veteran who has pitched in two World Series, a 24-year old All-Star recovering from Tommy John surgery, two so called "veterans" who each have 48 career starts, and an empty spot.
As of today, the rotation looks like this: Livan Hernandez, Francisco Liriano (as long as he is fully recovered by season opener), Scott Baker, Boof Bonser, and an empty spot. Each pitcher brings something to the mound along with some question marks.

Hernandez was signed to provide some veteran leadership and to pitch 200 innings; however, the veteran has lost his velocity and posted a 4.93 ERA in 2007. Liriano is the star of the rotation but hasn't pitched in an MLB game since August 2006. Liriano's health is the key to a successful 2008 season for the Twins. Baker nearly pitched a no-hitter last season and emerged as legitimate starter; however, Baker seemed inconsistent at times and has already suffered injury trouble early this spring which could keep him out at the start of the season. Bonser brought some strong performances early last season and then seemed to fade down the the stretch as his weight seemed to increase. He reported to spring training fit and slim and is ready to pitch an entire season at a high level. At this point the final spot in the rotation seems to be a battle between Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Nick Blackburn. Slowey has the inside track based on his experienced last year at the MLB level. Perkins in coming back from missing nearly an entire season and Blackburn has been the most impressive so far this spring. So I truly have no idea who will take the ball on the 5th day, but with Baker likely to start the year on the DL and the readiness of Liriano to still be in question who knows, maybe all three will get a chance to play.

With a seemingly improve offense for 2008, the starting rotation is definitely the question mark this year for the Twins. The growth and development of this young rotation will determine the success (or failure) of the '08 year. Most importantly, no matter the record at the end of the season if these young arms improve and show progress at the end of the season it'll be a good sign for the Twins future.