It Hurts

What up world,

I wanted to take a quick moment and remind everyone out there that the Twins are still playing. What's that? Who are the Twins, you ask. They are a professional baseball team that plays in Minneapolis. Still nothing? They're the most successful team in the 2000's among the major sports franchises within Minnesota. No? Not even a glimmer?

I'm sorry. That's right. The Vikings have started playing. There's that new quarterback in town, right? Jesus has returned in the form of a running back, who delivers God's stiff-arms of fury among all non-believers, correct? My apologies. I should have considered that prior to my opening statement.

Once the NFL's regular season, not to mention the college football season, begins, everyone starts to forget about the other team that inhabits the Metrodome. Especially during a disappointing baseball season. We can forget the pain of late-inning losses and the prevalence of ass-bats by turning our attention to more promising endeavors. It makes the mediocrity of the Twins season easier to bear.

But hold on fair reader. The Twins season is not over quite yet. As I write this, they are sitting 4 games behind the Detroit Tigers (although it looks like it may be 4.5 in the next couple of minutes). They have 7 head-to-head games left in the season, and the Tigers have not looked like world beaters in the past couple of weeks. There is still a chance. While the Vikings are beating up on the Browns and the Lions, the Twins are slowly creeping back into the pennant race. With a couple of breaks here and there, and a healthy lineup, there is no stopping us!

What did you say? Not healthy? Of course we're healthy. Justin Morneau is still swinging lumber... No? Broken back?!?! Done for the season?!?

Okay, that's okay. We still have our giant off-season acquisition, Joe Crede... Really? Broken back also? No!

Still, we have a strong collection of starting pitchers that can bring it home down the stretch. Them too? Here is how we started the season:

Scottie Baker: Still holding it together.
Saint Francisco: Dead arm. Too tired from trying to hold up giant expectations. Now firmly entrenched in the bullpen.
Kevin Slowey: Currently possesses a wrist that is more machine than human. Done for the year.
Glen Perkins: Shoulder tendinitis and general suckiness has landed the Perkolator in the minors and is likely done for the year.
Nick Blackburn: Rob Nick has been up and down all season. Generally more down than up, but at least he doesn't have a broken back.

So, at this point, we have virtually no starting pitchers, no power hitters, and an infield of awfulness? It doesn't look good. There is still a chance, but it will somewhat miraculous if they can pull it off. I'm not entirely sure that I want to get my hopes up. Paying attention to them down the stretch might just lead to further heartache...

Maybe I'll see what those Vikings are up to.

-Sota