Turning Point

Many have noticed that the Twins have turned their season around 180 degrees. But many aren't mentioning the biggest turning point in the season. Perhaps the biggest brick wall the Twins have faced all year. The weekend of May 12-15

Let me set the table, the Twins were 15-19, the White Sox 23-10 (Detroit 21-13). Twins were 8 1/2 back at this point, and had an opportunity to do some catching up against their rivals. The Twins opened up with Santana, and boy did they open up, winning the game 10-1. Next came Bradke, and an 8-4 win. At this point, we were 6 1/2 back, and closing in. We had the momentum, we had the drive. If we could take just one more, we could stay at 6 1/2. Even more daring, if we sweep, we're 4 1/2 out.

But then came Silva.

After spotting the Sox 3 in the 1st, the Twins answer with 7 against Buerhle. But poor ol' Silva can't use that to his advantage, giving up a run in the 3rd and 5 in the fourth to give the Sox a 9-7 lead. Worse, the offense, which was apparently potent in the first, had petered out, and couldn't bail Silva out.

After that, forget it. The Twins drop the finale. Not only that, but their next series against Detroit, swept. Santana even goes 8, gives up 2 runs, and the Twins give him no support.

Now, fast forward to today. We are 11 back of the kitties, and 9 back of the Sox. We carry that momentum, maybe we sweep the Sox, maybe we take one or two from Detroit. Maybe our road trip to the west isn't so bad.

Then again, if all that came true, maybe Silva doesn't get pulled from the rotation (allowing a shot for Liriano). Maybe Batista sticks around a little longer. Same with Castro. Hard to say, but it's nice to dream.

Still, the streak the Twins are on right now is amazing. I'm enjoying every minute of it. I just can't wait for the second half, when we get another shot at the top two, and we can make our own destiny. Those are the games that are going to mean something.

Pun, stltwinsfan