Welcome to the fourth edition of EIGHT PACK, SBG's regular feature that analyzes the hitters in 5% chunks of the season. The Twins have now played almost exactly 20% of the season. As you know, the last "EIGHT PACK" was pathetic. The Twins hit .215/.276/.287/.563 and scored 16 runs. The good news is that the Twins were a lot better than that. The bad news is that the Twins are pretty much where they were the first two eight packs. Let's look at the numbers for each of the four EIGHT PACKS to date (AVE/OBP/SLG/OPS/GPA/RUNS).

1st: .255/.301/.423/.724/.241/40
2nd: .279/.353/.382/.735/.254/41
3rd: .215/.276/.287/.563/.196/16
4th: .280/.322/.414/.740/.248/34

For the season, the Twins are hitting .257/.313/.377/.689/.235. Of course, that's pathetic. I mentioned earlier that it was going to be hard to maintain their scoring average and sure enough, they have now scored 131 runs or 4.09 runs per game. Last year, they hit .259/.323/.391/.714/.243 and scored 4.24 runs per game.

A new feature this time around. I am going to chart how many times the Twins score a given number of runs. In the last eight games, the Twins distributed their 34 runs in the following way.

0 Runs - 1
1 Runs - 0
2 Runs - 1
3 Runs - 0
4 Runs - 2
5 Runs - 1
6 Runs - 2
7 Runs - 1

For the Season, they've had the following run distribution

0 Runs - 4 XXXX
1 Runs - 3 XXX
2 Runs - 5 XXXXX
3 Runs - 4 XXXX
4 Runs - 3 XXX
5 Runs - 2 XX
6 Runs - 5 XXXXX
7 Runs - 3 XXX
8 Runs - 1 X
9 Runs - 0
10 Runs - 0
11 Runs - 0
12 Runs - 1 X
13 Runs - 1 X

In fully one half of the games to date, the Twins have scored three or fewer runs. That is NOT. GOOD.

Let’s look at the best and worst over the last eight games.

Here are the best.

1. He is maddeningly inconsistent. But when he gets hot, Torii Hunter can really rake. And he was raking this last eight games. At .448/.500/.759/1.259/.415 with five extra base hits in 29 at bats, Two Eye was the hitter of the EIGHT PACK.

2. You probably recognize this guy, as he's been either first or second each of last three EIGHT PACKS. He hit .435/.458/.696/1.154/.380 this time around. He's playing every day (for now) and his name is Michael Cuddyer.

3. It's a big drop off to Luis Castillo. He cooled off over the last eight games and hit a decent .300/.313/.467/.779/.257. But, that was good enough for third place.

Now, the worst.

1. He plays defense like a statue. He started hot but has a decided chill going now. He hit .192/.192/.231/.423/.144 over the last eight. He's down to .248/.309/.376/.685/.233. Pull the plug on Tony Batista, Mr. Ryan. Everybody else was right about this guy. He's not even hitting home runs, with just two so far, putting him on pace for ten on the season.

2. Look, I like Lew Ford. I have nothing against him and I'd be ecstatic if he could return to his 2004 form. But, I'm afraid that we're more likely to see the 2005 Ford. A .200/.250/.200/.450/.163 line is no good, but it's better than last time. Eeeek.

3. Congratulations, Rondell White, you got your first walk of the year. Of course, it was intentional, so I wouldn't go bragging about that just yet. With a season best line of .250/.280/.292/.572/.199, he hasn't exactly turned the corner. And he's got two fewer home runs than Batista, which is to say, NONE. No unintentional walks and no home runs in 116 plate appearances. Ish.

This team still isn't hitting. After almost 1,200 plate appearances, it's far enough into the season to say that we probably have seen what we are going to get unless there are personnel changes. The offense is no better than last year. In fact, it's worse. Yes, I suppose it could get better, but it is my opinion that the Twins off-season plan to improve the offense failed.