TWINS - 4/13/02
April 13, 2002
LATEST TEAM INFO:
Through 11 games the Twins are lucky to be 6-5. Their starting pitching as stunk, and their clutch hitting has been terrible. After starting out 5-1 by beating up on the hapless Royals and the pitching poor Blue Jays, the Twins got swept by the hottest team in the league, the Cleveland Indians. Former Twin Matt Lawton may have fueled the rivarly fire by making some pretty candid comments after the series. The Indians come to the Metrodome on April 19 to play a three game series. This series may offer Baseball Tonight and Sportscenter some intense highlights. Don’t be surprised if there is at least one bench clearing brawl!!
To say the Twins starting pitching has been struggling might be an understatement. They went into the series vs the Detriot Tigers with a team ERA of 5.29. This stat is also misleading because the bullpen has been awesome. The starting pitchers ERA is up near 7.00. The Twins have also not been doing a good job of hitting in clutch situations. Even though they are near the top of the AL in home runs, most are solo shots. The only Twins starters hitting over .300 are LF Jacque Jones and RF Dustan Mohr. Other Twins regulars are struggling. SS Cristian Guzman is hitting .273, 1B Doug Mientkiewicz .244, DH David Ortiz .200, CF Torii Hunter .295, 3B Corey Koskie .231 and C AJ Pierzynski .290.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
For the first time in 10 years the Twins sold out their home opener. Most news concerning the Twins organization has been about the possibility of a new stadium. The most recent proposal that started out like wild fire and was being endorsed by everyone, is slowly losing steam.
INJURIES:
Early last week both starting 2B Luis Rivas and RF Brian Buchanan were put on the 15 day DL. Rivas was hit by a pitch on his left wrist in the opening series vs the Royals. Team doctors say it isn’t broken, but Rivas has yet to even try hitting the ball off a tee. Rivas’ injury may put him out for a month or so. Buchanan went on the DL with a back problem and will try to be ready as soon as possible because his replacement Dustan Mohr is hitting over .400 and playing excellent OF defense. To replace Rivas and Buchanan the Twins recalled OF Bobby Kielty and C/DH/1B Matthew LeCroy. Neither player has any fantasy value.
ON THE FARM:
On Thursday, April 11, the Twins sent down utility man Warren Morris and recalled pitcher Tony Fiore. This move was necessary because of the extreme amount of innings the relievers have had to pitch so far this season. Fiore was a starting pitcher at Edmonton (Twins AAA farm team), but will be used in long relief for the Twins. This move has no fantasy value.
QUICK VIEW:
Drop:
2B Luis Rivas may be out at least a month with a severe bruise of his left wrist. Instead of dropping him, you may want to use a DL spot. What you do with Rivas depends largely on how your league is set up.
Add:
RP JC Romero. Romero has been awesome so far this season. He has pitched 8 1/3 innings and has only given up 2 hits and struck out 12. Solid numbers and is a pitcher who can help in the HOLDS category. Many experts also believe the Romero may take over the closers roll later in the season.
Hold:
Guzman, Koskie, Mientkiewicz, Hunter, and top 4 starting pitchers. One has to believe that they will eventually turn it up and start producing like they did last year.
