The WGOM

Time: 7:10 CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: TRN
Starting pitchers: Harry LeRoy "Doc" Halladay (2-0, 3.86 ERA; 134 tRA+ in 2008) vs. Francisco "F-Bomb" Liriano (0-2, 6.94 ERA; 115 tRA+ in 2008)

With any luck, the Jays' boom sticks were all used up beating Light Rail with the ugly stick on Wednesday, because the F-Bomb has struggled mightily in his two starts AND Halladay is up.

Halladay has not been his usual dominating self yet. He got knocked around by the Tiggers in his first start on April 6, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits (2 HR, 1 double) and striking out only 2 in 7 innings of work. But we are more likely to see the Halladay who showed up in Cleveland on Saturday: 1 run on 5 hits (2 doubles), 7 K in another 7-inning outing.

Liriano has disappointed so far in his two outings. In something of a hard-luck loss vs. Seattle in the season opener, he gave up two big flies and four runs, while striking out only 3 in his 7 innings. On the plus side, 13:9 GB:FB; on the minus, those two FBs that went over the fence.

Much more disappointing was the pounding he took in Chicago on Saturday. Liriano struggled to find the plate (48:35 strike:ball, 4 walks and a HBP) and when he did, he found too much of it (8:9 GB:FB, 3 LD) in a 4 2/3 inning appearance. The Twins very much need Liriano to get back to being a ground ball-inducing machine, even if he's not ready (or capable anymore) of high strike-out numbers.

As shaky as our pitching has been, however, the greater problem is the lack of offense. "We need some firepower"

Minnesota currently ranks 11th in the AL in OPS (11th in BA, 12th in OBP, 11th in SLG). That's a much bigger issue than just a lack of Joe in the lineup. I know, I know, SSS, but half of the lineup currently is below replacement level by any reasonable definition. I've heard complaints about Cuddyer, which have been deserved (235/289/294 is NOT a good start), but he's still head and shoulders above _elmon White (174/174/304 has everyone doubting his talent, turned "Uno" from an innocent card game into a swear word, and, really, you think he'd be better in RF than Cuddy???) and GoGo (115/148/231, proving conclusively that you can't steal first base).

Now that I've brought everybody down, I'm looking for a bright side here, something to be optimistic about. And there are three bright spots on the offense and one or two in the bullpen to highlight. At the plate (and in the field), D-SPAN (324/439/441) has been excellent, while the Mountie (324/333/568) and the Dude (304/360/478) have been quite productive. Sure, we'd like to see a bit more power out of Span and some more walks from Morneau, but...they look like HOFers compared to the rest of the crew.

In the 'pen, Jesse Crain has been pleasantly effective. Even the PiPress has noticed. Please, Gardy. Send Luis "Vortex of Suck" Ayala packing and lean heavier on Jesse.

Crain is missing bats and keeping the ball in the ballpark (5:2 K:BB, only one hit and zero XBH allowed so far in 17 BF). His fastball is registering in the mid-90s (see the BrooksBaseball.net PitchFX Tool), which certainly suggests that he's now fully recovered from his shoulder surgery of 2007. With Sideshow sidelined, the Twins need Crain to step up and stay on the tracks.

So, uh, Let's Go Twins! We've had a few too many downer games in these first two weeks. How's about starting a win streak against one of the toughest pitchers in the league? That would be cool.