Hi Twins fans, Well here we are into the final week of spring training. What an exciting time. Hard to believe but one week from now we will be in the Twin Cities playing the Cardinals in the final two games of the exhibition season. And then it’s the start of the regular season.
Here are some spring training notes:
1. As we approach the final week of play a couple of rookies are still hanging on. I doubt that Ben Revere, Juan Portes, and Anthony Slama will make the final roster cut, but all three have made a very big impression during the entire camp. Especially Slama who could possible make the team as a bullpen pitcher. I doubt that Slama would close, but he could surprise and slip in as a set-up guy. It’s an outside chance, but Slama has been quite impressive. And Revere and Portes have opened some eyes. Portes has a chance of starting at AAA Rochester, and more than likely Revere will start the season at AA New Britain. But keep you eye on Portes and Revere, they are both going to be big leaguers and maybe sooner than you think.
2. The Twins starting pitching has been nothing short of sensational during the entire spring. Baker, Pavano, Slowey, and Liriano have all pitched well and in every start. Only Blackburn has been a bit behind (a knee problem) and Nick is scheduled to pitch this weekend versus Philadelphia and hopefully he will have a good game to get back on track. You have to like what you see from the Twins starters this spring. If they pitch this consistently during the regular season, look out, he Twins will be tough to beat!
3. The end of spring training is always a tough time. The truck is leaving early this year because the Twins have to get back home for the two games with the Cardinals. So here I am packing up this week and there’s still a week to go. And how do you pack? It looks like the weather is going to be OK for the two games this next weekend and then we will turn right around and head out to the west coast to open the season against the Angels. And then it’s back to the midwest for the three games with the White Sox before the Twins get home for the long homestand versus the Red Sox, Royals, and Indians. It’s going to a wild start and the first two weeks are going to be very hectic. “Pace yourself,” is what my wife Nancy keeps saying to me. And here I am trying to work in a final golf game!!
That’s all for this time Twins fans. I’ll have more upcoming as the Twins prepare for their final week of spring training.
“Touch ‘em All,”
JG
