Scott Baker has really stepped up in the 2nd half for the Twins.  He has started 13 games since the All-Star Break and he is 6-5 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.  In 86.2 innings he has allowed 95 hits, walked 16 batters and whiffed 57.  Baker has now started 22 games this season for the Twins and he is 9-8 with a 4.15 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.  Baker has probably locked up a starting job in 2008 for the Twins.  The Twins are now 74-77 for the season which has them in 3rd place in the American League Central, 15.5 games behind the Indians.

The Twins are currently 72-73 on the season which has them in third place in the American League Central, 13 games behind the Indians.  The Twins had a lot of injuries this season plus the starting rotation was pretty poor behind Johan Santana.  Maybe things will be different next season when Francisco Liriano is back in action.

The Twins were fools to think that Nick Punto would cut it as a starting third baseman in the major leagues.  He has flat out sucked this whole season but he’s been really, really awful in the 2nd half.  Punto has played in 48 games since the All-Star Break and he is only 26 for 148 (.176 avg, .456 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 0 homers, 7 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  For the season, Punto has now played in 136 games and he is hitting .199 (.541 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 1 homer, 22 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.  The Twins should get rid of this stiff in the off-season.

The Twins placed rookie catcher Jose Morales on the 60-day DL after he sprained his ankle in his major league debut.  That is a shame because Morales was 3 for 3 with a double and a run scored in his first game.  Morales played in 108 games in AAA-ball for the Twins and he was 117 of 376 (.311 avg, .765 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 2 homers and 37 RBIs.  The Twins have recalled old friend Matt LeCroy to replace Morales on the roster.

The Twins have been a very average team in 2007.  They are 69-69 which has them in third place in the American League Central, 10.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians.  The Twins are also 7 games behind the Yankees for the Wild Card in the American League so it would take a minor miracle to get the Twins to the playoffs.  Injuries to Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer both hurt the Twins big-time this season.  Torii Hunter has been outstanding in his playoff walk year as he is hitting .291 with 81 runs, 27 homers and 96 RBIs this year.  Justin Morneau is also having a good season proving his MVP year of 2006 was not a fluke.  He is hitting .279 with 77 runs scored, 29 homers and 96 RBIs.  The starting rotation has not been too good outside Johan Santana who is 14-11 with a 3.15 ERA this season.  The Twins would be much closer to the playoffs if Santana was not an amazing 0-5 against the Cleveland Indians.  Closer Joe Nathan has been lights out once again this season as he is 3-2 with 29 saves and a 1.70 ERA.  The surprise out of the bullpen has been how good that Matt Guerrier has pitched this season.  Guerrier is 2-4 with 1 save and a 2.25 ERA so far this season.