The Twins and Tigers was a series that was going to be the last stand of the Twins for 2011: Win the series, or maybe even sweep, and they kept their slimmest of slim chances of getting into this AL Central race alive. Lose two of three or get swept and it would be unequivocally over.
But that theme changed a couple of hours ago as the Twins traded Delmon Young, he of the iron glove, to the very same Tigers the Minnesota nine are getting ready to play. Young was traded for LHP Cole Neson and a player to be named later.
Yes, the Twins got not only one, but two players for a guy that they were probably not going to bring back at the end of this season, as his contract expires and the Twins feel they have a glut of outfielders.
Young drove in 112 runs last year, but was struggling with a .265 average this season and more than one stint on the diabled list. He'll be an extra bat for the Tigers as the pennant race heads down the stretch, and any fresh arm for the Twins bullpen is a welcome sight at this point.
The Twins, while probably not climbing back in to contention, are still on Thome Watch, anticipating the 600th career home run of the future Hall of Famer. Thome went homerless in the Twins most recent homestand, and also failed to go yard in Cleveland, the team he broke in to the majors with, and at a park where he has hit more home runs than anywhere else.
In injury news, Alexi Casilla was placed back on the DL, about six innings after he was activated. Trevor Plouffe was recalled from Rochester to fill Casilla's spot on the roster.
The starting pitchers tonight are Francisco Liriano for the Twins and Rick Porcello for the Tigers. First pitch is at 6:05.