Twins Early Season Home Stand

The Minnesota Twins took a few knocks on knees from the New York Yankess. Losing the first game 2-8 and the second game 1-10. It was nice to see the Twins pull a win out last night conquering the Yankees 5-1.

Next up on this week long home stand, is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Twins should be able to win 3 of the 4 games for sure as long they don’t get caught with a Yankee hangover. My boy Justin Morneau says he is up for the Devil Rays series. He said, "They are dangerous. They have a lot of good young hitters and good young pitchers. If we don't come in ready to play and focused on this series, they can definitely beat you."

The task at hand in Game 1 of the series is to face left-hander Casey Fossum, who hasn't been seen very often by most of the Twins lineup. Fossum has a good breaking ball pitch and a few others that could sting the Twins. I know Torii Hunter can hit a few of those breaking balls let’s just hope they can make it over the fence.

Game 1 of the series is tonight and the pitching match-up looks like this:

MIN: RHP Carlos Silva (0-1, 1.80 ERA)
The concern regarding Silva in his first start was if the pitcher could get his sinker to do just that -- sink. But the big right-hander proved that he could shut down a strong White Sox lineup. In cold conditions, Silva held Chicago to just one run over five innings as he allowed five hits. Still, there will be lots of eyes watching Silva to see if that same motion can stay in his next outing against the Devil Rays. Silva is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in three career games against Tampa Bay.

TB: LHP Casey Fossum (0-1, 17.18)
Fossum experienced a rough outing in his first start of the season Saturday night against the Blue Jays, surrendering seven runs on eight hits, a walk and a hit batter in 3 2/3 innings. The big blow was a grand slam by Frank Thomas. Fossum has an 0-0 record with a 4.91 ERA in three career appearances against the Twins. He is 0-0 with a 2.84 ERA in one start at the Metrodome.

Game 2 is on Friday with Devil Rays (LHP Scott Kazmir, 0-1, 6.75) at Twins (LHP Johan Santana, 2-0, 2.77), 7:10 p.m.

Game 3 is on Saturday with Devil Rays (RHP Edwin Jackson, 0-1, 6.35) at Twins (RHP Sidney Ponson, 0-1, 12.71), 6:10 p.m.

Game 4 is on Sunday with Devil Rays (RHP Jae Seo, 0-1, 9.64) at Twins (RHP Boof Bonser, 0-1, 6.97), 1:10 p.m.

There are still great Twins Tickets out there so don’t just stay home this weekend, get out and see a good ball game.