It seems a bit early to talk about Major League Baseball's opening day, but that's exactly what Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire decided to do this week. When asked about the pitching rotation, Gardenhire said he's already decided the starting pitchers for the first two games of the season.
Gardenhire will start Carl Pavano in the team's first game of the season, scheduled to take place on Apr. 6 against the Baltimore Ooriles, the manager told Charley Waters of the Pioneer Press. Gardenhire also said Scott Baker will start the team's home opener when the Twins host the Los Angeles Angels on Apr. 9 at Target Field.
The Twins will open their Spring Training on Feb. 18 -- 13 days before their exhibition schedule begins -- as Gardenhire attempts to iron out some kinks that were all too evident last season.
"But the extra days are important to reinforce and work more than one day on certain things. We're going to do a few more drills (when) we're on the field - cutoffs, relays, baserunning. We're really going to pound that into their heads. It's all about details and paying attention."
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