There isn't a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the Twins these days. Losing five straight and finding yourself a whopping 10.5 games back in the AL Central will do that to a team.
Preventing their losing streak from moving to six won't be an easy task. The Red Sox, already equipped with the best record in the American League, will trot out new acquisition Erik Bedard. Although Bedard threw only 70 pitches in his Boston debut last week, Twins fans might remember how shut down Minnesota's lineup as a member of the Seattle Mariners a couple months ago. Bedard pitched six shutout innings in a 3-0 win over the Twins on May 25th.
But it's not quite all doom and gloom for the Twins these days--Tuesday's starter Francisco Liriano is certainly capable of shutting down a team if he's on top of his game. ("If" being the very key word.) Plus their slugger Jim Thome remains only two home runs shy of the coveted 600 plateau--with 35 career bombs against the Sawx, it's always feasible that the record could be attained on any night.
And that's not even the only milestone that could be reached on Tuesday; Joe Nathan is currently tied for the franchise record in saves with Rick Aguilera. If all goes well for the Twins, Nathan could have the record for himself before the series finale against Boston.
See hope spring eternal at Target Field starting at 7:10 PM CT.