Shhh…be quiet…the Twins’ bats are sleeping.
To say that Minnesota’s offense has struggled thus far in 2011 would be like saying…well, saying that the Boston Red Sox have been struggling thus far in 2011. The Twins haven’t scored more than five runs in a game this year and they’re averaging under three runs per contest.
Minnesota will try to buck their trend of offensive shortcomings as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the third game of their four game set this afternoon. Unless Scott Baker can buck his trend of giving up home runs, the Twins will need to put up some crooked numbers for a chance to win.
Baker is 0-2 on the season with a 6.55 ERA. His main problem has been the long ball—Baker has allowed two home runs in each of his two starts.
The Rays starter, Jeff Niemann, hasn’t fared any better than Baker this year. He also sports an 0-2 record with an ERA of 8.31. Niemann lasted only 2 2/3 innings in his last start against the Chicago White Sox last Sunday.
Amidst all the doom and gloom, the Twins did receive some good news regarding injured catcher Joe Mauer. After putting Mauer on the 15-day disabled list, it was determined that a viral infection was the cause of his bi-lateral leg weakness, not complications from offseason surgery or anything worse.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 PM CT.