These are very impressive numbers overall. The Twins may be playing the best baseball in the American League right now, considering their schedule. Yes, there are question marks. I don't know how long the Twins can keep up this pace with three question marks in the starting rotation, a shaky closer, and no offense from the catcher, second base and shortstop positions. But right now it's all sunshine and roses. What would Mike Tice say? Enjoy the season!
Incidentally, if you are familiar with the Pythagorean Winning Percentage, the Twins should have won 58.7% of the games listed above. Instead, they won 64.0 percent. Some day I'll do some research and comment on the value of the Pythagorean Winning Percentage (hint: I don't think too much of it).

Tonight's Game. The Rangers have made a change and the Twins will now face one Chan Ho Park. Mr. Park is 5-5 with a 5.80 ERA. This is his first appearance since May 19, when he went on the disabled list with a bad back. Most people know about the ridiculous contract that the Rangers handed Alex Rodriguez (10 years, $252 million). As bad as that contract was, at least A-Rod can play the game, and play it quite well. The contract that the Rangers handed Park was truly gruesome. In December 2001, the Rangers gave Park a 5-year, $65 million contract. This year, Park is being paid $13,879,164. So far he has pitched in 8 games. The Rangers probably wish that he didn't pitch at all.

Three years into this train wreck, Park has pitched in 40 games, and 225 innings. He has allowed 243 hits and 156 runs, 150 of which were earned. He has walked 121 batters and struck out 173. He has a 12-15 record with a 6.00 ERA. His WHIP is 1.62 and his K/BB ratio is 1.42:1. He's been a complete disaster. And now, coming off three months of activity, he is facing a Twins team that has been starting to hit the ball.

The Twins are sending out Terry Mulholland, who is 4-6 with a 4.50 ERA. As a starter, the 41 year old (the only player on the team older than me) has been brilliant. In eight starts he has pitched 48 innings, giving up 54 hits and 22 runs, 19 earned. He was walked 10 and struck out 21. His record is 3-2 with a 3.56 ERA. His WHIP is 1.33 and his K/BB ratio is 2.1:1. His last two starts were very good, both against Cleveland. It's hard to tell how long Mulholland will keep this up, but make no mistake, he's been incredibly important to the Twins' success this year.

Having said that, I think Mulholland will have trouble tonight. I saw him pitch against Anaheim, a team that hits the ball well and Mulholland got pounded. I kind of expect that he will get hit tonight, as well. I expect a high scoring game, and I think the bullpens will be in play. Will Mr. Nathan get another shot tonight? Will Chan Ho Park frustrate Twins fans by twirling a gem in the face of all reason? Here it says that the Twins will win a high scoring battle. Tune in tonight.

On Adrian Beltre. Yesterday, I wrote about Beltre and the MVP. My point wasn't to bad mouth Mr. Beltre, as he is having a fine season, comparable with the three mashers in St. Louis. Indeed, he is probably having an even better season, considering he isn't surrounded by guys like Rolen, Pujols, and Edmonds and he is playing in a notorious pitcher's park. The point is, and will continue to be, that there should be no conversation about the NL MVP, except to say, "If Barry Bonds weren't playing anymore, who would be the best player in the league." As Larry Bird once said at an NBA three-point contest at the all-star game, "Which one of you is going to get second?"

Oh, and ESPN seems to get it right today. Enjoy it fans. He's the greatest of his generation.