ChiSox @ Twins 29-30 April

[henks]

Hopefully home is where the bats are for the Twins. Besides that offensive breakout against Texas on Saturday, the Twins have been hard pressed putting runs across the plate. On the 6 game road trip, they only plated 24 runs, going 2-4.

The Twins need to step it up in this series, especially with Bonser on the hill. The lack of run support for Boof (as well as his tendency to walk batters) has led him to a 1-4 mark so far this season. Everyone said in the off-season that with his weight loss, he'd be a lot better this year. Well, he hasn't shown it yet.

GAME 1 Gavin Floyd (2-0, 2.84) vs. Boof Bonser (1-4, 4.34)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Take Floyd's career dominance against the Tigers and move in the other direction to find his lower success rate against a fellow American League Central foe from Minnesota, his opponent to start the White Sox five-game road trip Tuesday at the Metrodome. Floyd has a career 0-2 record in two starts when facing Minnesota, having allowed 10 earned runs on 15 hits over 11 1/3 innings. Five of those hits have gone for home runs, including two by Justin Morneau. Floyd allowed five runs on five hits over six innings during Thursday's twice-rain delayed game, striking out four and walking four. He finished with a no-decision, watching his string of 17 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run come to an end.
Twins: Walks once again were the problem for Bonser in his latest start against the A's. The pitcher issued a total of four walks in his outing, including two costly ones. A leadoff walk to Mike Sweeney turned into a run and so did a two-out walk to Daric Barton. Still, Bonser managed to deliver his third quality start of the season, allowing just two runs over six innings. But once again, the starter suffered from a lack of run support. The Twins were shutout against the A's, the fifth straight start by Bonser that the Twin's have scored three runs or fewer. Next up, Bonser will face the White Sox at the Metrodome. He is 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in six career appearances against Chicago.

GAME 2 Nick Masset (0-0, 3.75) vs. Nick Blackburn (1-1, 3.45)

Scouting Report:
White Sox: Masset is making a spot start for the White Sox, as Ozzie Guillen chose not to use Mark Buehrle or John Danks on three days' rest. Masset has served as the team's middle reliever throughout this season, but he will be making the second start of his young career. He defeated the Cubs last year at Wrigley Field, marking the White Sox lone victory over the North Siders in six regular-season games. Look for Masset to work no more than 75 to 80 pitches, and probably no more than five innings.
Twins: The right-hander has been one of the most consistent arms for the Twins early this season, but he found trouble with a big inning once again in his last start. Pitching with a 5-0 lead, Blackburn allowed the first seven batters he faced in the third inning to reach base, allowing five runs to score and knotting the game. He would escape the inning without more damage, but the Twins need Blackburn to get rid of that one bad inning -- a problem he's had in two of his five starts. Next up will be Blackburn's second start of the season against the White Sox. In Chicago, he allowed just two runs over seven innings in a no-decision.

I'd like to see the Twins take both here, but I'd be happy for a split.

[catman]

We'll see how the teams play this early season series. If both are up for the series, it should be well-played and could go either way. If either team is "down" they will be swept.

[catman]

Bonser was on tonight and Kubel continued his hot hitting against the Sox. Twins win 3-1.

[henks]

Bonser with 1 walk and 8 k's in 7 innings pitched? well done sir, well done.

[catman]

Blackburn followed that performance up with a decent outing. I like that kid's stuff. He could be a very good one.