Written by Andrew Kneeland | 08 April 2010

In what should hopefully become a regular Thursday feature on the site, Sam Tastad joins us for his take on the Twins. You can read more of Sam Tastad here.

Opening Day didn’t go as well as the Twins would have liked, but games two and three did. The offense got going, but more importantly our pitchers got off to a good start.

Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, and Carl Pavano got going in the right direction, and all but Baker got a win. Pavano impressed me the most. He went seven innings, allowed no walks, struck out six, and allowed just one run. Pavano got the help he needed from good defense from the infield and outfield. J.J. Hardy impressed me with his arm, and Joe Mauer played great from behind the plate as he through out runner caught stealing. Pavano sure showed the Twins the reason why they re-signed him during the offseason. Pavano brings a veteran mentality to the rotation, and that is just what the Twins need to go far this season.

While Pavano showed that he can is capable of pitching well, Nick Blackburn shut down the Angels on Tuesday night. He had quality stuff, went six and two-thirds innings, and struck out four. He gave up three earned runs. However, this is what we need from starters, go six or seven innings, and then give it to the bullpen.

Scott Baker struggled in his first start giving up four runs, and four walks. He only went four and two-thirds innings in that game. Baker is still the Twins ace, and just needs to put that game behind him.

In the bullpen, Jon Rauch, the newly appointed closer by Ron Gardenhire showed his stuff, and it looked good. In game two of the series, he gave up his first run of the season, but still managed to pick up his second save of the season. Rauch looks like a giant on the mound, and he certainly is. He has to pitch down after he releases the ball, and is successful in throwing strikes.

The rest of bullpen is pitching well, except Jose Mijares. He has had biggest downfall after allowing two runs in relief of Scott Baker. Mijares just needs to find the right groove, and get his pitching to a on the right track in order to set up Jon Rauch in for saving up games as closer. The rest of the bullpen has been nearly flawless, and needs to keep that up to give the Twins opportunities to win games.

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