Twins Midseason Report: Now It Gets Interesting

Image via WikipediaRemember when we told you about catching up on your reading, going down to the local multiplex to see the summer blockbusters, or doing just about anything except watching the Minnesota Twins play baseball?  Recent events have forced us to temporarily amend that.  The Twins aren't awful any more.

Thanks to a combination of factors, including a successful June that was focused on manager Ron Gardenhire's philosophy of winning series, better starting pitching and a weak American League Central division, the Twins are no longer in last place.  They are now 6 1/2 games behind the division leading Detroit Tigers with a 41-48 record at the All-Star break, having taken three out of four games from the White Sox at Chicago.

There's still the traces of incompetence that colored the early part of the season.  The blowout losses.  The blown saves.  The injuries to the starting lineup that forced an influx of players from the minors who weren't ready for the majors.

Things are better now.  Joe Mauer has recovered from his "lower body injury", and has started to play some games at first base in addition to being behind the plate.  Michael Cuddyer has played well enough to be the Twins' lone representative at the Major League All-Star Game in Phoenix.  Joe Nathan is settling in as a set-up reliever after a rough return from Tommy John surgery.  And Ben Revere and Danny Valencia are making their cases for staying out of the minors.

However, Justin Morneau is back on the disabled list, this time for a neck injury.  Also on the list are Jason Kubel, Scott Baker and Denard Span.  Baserunning mistakes still abound.  And Gardenhire is showing signs of disgust whenever closer Matt Capps is in danger of blowing a ninth-inning lead.

The Twins are still a long shot to defend their Central Division title.  If they're still in contention by September, Gardenhire will have outdone himself for taking this team from the outhouse to the penthouse in the same season.

If not, then we could just renew our Netflix subscription.