(Best E Casino) - There isn't a team in the majors that can get by with a starting rotation that is neither healthy, nor effective.
Luckily for the Twins, they've had to deal with neither. There is something to be said about a rotation that doesn't have a single guy older than 26. For one, it often means fresher arms as the season winds into the final months. But also, it tends to mean growing pains and ugly bumps in the road.
Not so for Minnesota. Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey, and now Francisco Liriano, have been the glue that's held the Twins together. And it's a tight-knit group. Despite more than a few skeptics at the outset of the season, those five are the reason the Twins enter play Friday just a half- game behind the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
"If you think about it, we're in a playoff race, and it seems crazy for them to trust the team's success to five guys who are 26 years old or younger," Perkins said on the team's Web site. "Obviously, we are a team that can score runs and everything, but if we don't pitch, we aren't going to be successful.
"So there is a lot on our shoulders to help this team do well. But I think they wouldn't have done that if they didn't trust us to get it done. I think this is an opportunity for all of us to make a name for ourselves."
For all intent and purpose, the return of Liriano to the rotation last week can be likened to a major trade deadline acquisition. And really, considering the Twins didn't acquire anyone else, it sort of has to be. Call it "The Liriano Factor." After outmatching minor league hitters for way to long while he continued to "rehab" his surgically repaired elbow, Liriano made his much anticipated debut with six shutout innings.
The other four starters, all they've done is combined to go 31-20 with a 3.97 ERA in 80 starts this season.
Manager Ron Gardenhire even went as far as to compare the young rotation to that of the Atlanta Braves several years back, when Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine all blossomed together.
LIVAN HEADED TO COLORADO
Livan Hernandez, the Twins' Opening Day starter who was designated for assignment on Friday to make room for Liriano, has apparently found a new home.
Colorado put in a waiver claim for the veteran right-hander, and on Wednesday the Twins officially assigned his contract to the Rockies. The move frees up about $1.6 million still owed to Hernandez, who went 10-8 with a 5.48 ERA in 23 starts this season.
"Good for him," Gardenhire said on the team's Web site. "He shouldn't be sitting, he should be pitching. I'm happy for him."
CUDDYER, CASILLA ON THE MEND
Outfielder Michael Cuddyer began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, eyeing a possible return as early as next week. When that happens, Gardenhire's chief concern will be finding suitable playing time for four quality outfielders (Cuddyer, Delmon Young, Carlos Gomez and Denard Span). But that's a good problem. Span, who was called up to fill in for Cuddyer, has turned heads by hitting .315 in 44 games.
And in the spirit of dubbing "in-house" deadline acquisitions, Gardenhire said Cuddyer could end up being that potent right-handed bat everyone was asking for.
In other rehab news, second baseman Alexi Casilla stayed in Minnesota to continue rehabbing a torn ligament in his right thumb. Right now the only prescription is rest, so there is no timetable for his return. But the Twins are hopeful Casilla, who was hitting .313 in 62 games, will be back at some point this season.
WHO'S HOT
Span's surprisingly consistent production will put the manager in a tough bind once Cuddyer returns.
WHO'S NOT
Taking into account Monday's late-inning collapse in Seattle as well as Tuesday's meltdown by Joe Nathan, the Minnesota bullpen has a 6.19 ERA on the road, compared to 2.11 at home, according to the Star Tribune.
A LOOK AHEAD
The Twins continue their trip into Kansas City this weekend, with Slowey (7-8, 4.21) taking the hill Friday against Kyle Davies (5-2, 4.41). Liriano (1-3, 7.16) gets the nod Saturday opposite Zack Greinke (9-7, 3.93). And on Sunday, Baker (7-3, 3.86) will close out the series against Gil Meche (10-9, 4.17). The team returns home on Monday to kick off a big series against the New York Yankees.
