A little bit closer (week in review)

After coming up short for my prediction last week, the Twins met this week's prediction spot on. Not only taking 4 of 6 overall, but winning both series. They also got closer to Chicago in the process, now only one game out.

The sad thing is, the two games they lost should have gone much better. First, Garza pitched a great deal better than his first start, limiting the Indians to only 3 runs in 5 innings, giving the Twins a much better chance of striking back. But Byrd was too good, and too efficient, and the Twins could only muster up one more run in the late innings.

Then, on Saturday, a game I was able to watch for a couple innings, the Twins let errors get the best of them. They simply gave the White Sox too many outs. Not only did the errors put the Twins in an early hole (2-0), but a lot of times, errors on the field can evolve to frustrations at bat. Therefore the Twins wasted a good pitching performance from Radke, and lost 4-1.

But despite all that, the Twins are now only one game out of the Wildcard again. Also, Detroit's been on a downturn, allowing the Twins to creep up to 6.5 out of the division lead, closer than they've been in months. However, I hope Detroit doesn't fall too far, because I'd rather have the Tigers in the postseason, than the White Sox.

I'll finish with news that Francisco Liriano is going to start throwing on flat ground on Tuesday. It still looks like it'll be a while before he starts pitching in games, but it's a start, and boy would he be valuable to have if we get to the postseason. That is, a healthy Liriano.