As if the Twins and Rays didn't play enough this spring, the Twins are headed to St. Pete for a three-game series tonight.

 

Twins Lineup:

 

Denard Span CF

Jamey Carroll SS

Joe Mauer DH

Josh Willingham LF

Danny Valencia 3B

Ryan Doumit C

Trevor Plouffe RF

Chris Parmelee 1B

Alexi Casilla 2B

 

SP: Liam Hendriks

I hope it won't be too much longer before the Twins DFA Plouffe... He isn't good at any defensive position and he's never going to be a decent hitter...

This will make Mauer's positional breakdown for 14 games (all played)

C: 8

1B: 3

DH: 3

 

That's pretty good usage. Would have been good to start that about 2008 . . .

I hope it won't be too much longer before the Twins DFA Plouffe... He isn't good at any defensive position and he's never going to be a decent hitter...

Unlike Hughes, he may have value against left-handed pitching. .734 career OPS against lefties is not great, by any means, but it was .782 last year. That makes him valuable enough in that role.

I hope it won't be too much longer before the Twins DFA Plouffe... He isn't good at any defensive position and he's never going to be a decent hitter...

Unlike Hughes, Plouffe is a former Twins' first round pick (and from when Terry Ryan was the GM). In the past the Twins have shown incredible patience concerning their 1st round picks, esp. the ones who reached the higher levels. At this point of his career Plouffe is about as productive as Cuddyer (another former 1st round pick) was at the equivalent point of his career... So I will be very surprised if something will happen

Justin Morneau is not in Friday's lineup against the Rays after taking a foul tip off his foot in Thursday's game.

 

While it's a shame to see him out of the lineup the way he's been hitting recently, it's not a major concern and he is available to pinch-hit. Consider him day-to-day.

 

 

Source: John Shipley on Twitter

I personally think it's about time Morneau got a day off. I'm not saying he should only play 4 out of 5 or something, but 10-11 or 12-13 or whatever it is, he needs a day.

 

In fact, I think Mauer needs a full day, even not catching or DH.

Another good start by Hendricks. Keep it going!!!

Between Parmelee's strikout last night, Valencia's first pitch pop up tonight and Casilla's pop fly bunt and double play tonight, I"m a little disgusted by some of these guys abilities to have a quality at bat right now.

Casilla's trying to work his way into the doghouse.

Casilla's trying to work his way into the doghouse.

I don't think he will ever be officially out of the doghouse if he's working under Gardy no matter how good he can be at times

I really like this Hendricks guy, I love how even when behind in the count hell still challenge guys on the outer half and never just gives it up

Damn, at let the home run came after the dp.... C'mon guys let's get the bats going

Is it just me or is this Gomes guy as annoying to watch pitch as pappelbon

Willinghammer!!!!!!!!!!! What a great AB coming from behind and getting a 3 run double

Continue to like Burton and Maloney in the bullpen. Added to Capps, Duensing and Perkins, the 'pen could be all right.

Damn burton looking pretty good against some really good hitters.... That split finger looks like a 92mph changeup

Bah I jynxed it

Oh god please don't give Capps only 1 run to work with at least it will be against the bottom of the order

How miserable of an at bat by Valencia. Something needs to be done with this kid

Why not pinch hit Morneau for Valencia? Then sub Burroughs for defense... no brainer IMO.

Good win, nice save Capps!

Capps looked pretty good tonight he's starting to get some good movement on that splitter

Oh, I think the Twins are going to be ok.

Terry Ryan is making bill smith look like a real chump right now

Gotta give some love to the 'pen. I thought they'd be the downfall of this team, but they've been solid lately.

 

Nice job by Hendriks. A couple of mistakes, but he'll learn.

 

Carroll is doing a nice job as a stopgap as SS, but I've never been sold on Casilla as the answer at 2B, and I'm becoming less sold on Valencia as the answer at 3B with each game.

 

Pavano vs. Shields tomorrow should be a good one.

 

Sure would be nice to see them come home from a winning road trip.

Hendriks made basically one bad pitch in his first five innings.

 

Then Casilla doesn't get in front of the damn ball.​

 

I learned to do that in little league. It doesn't hurt, Alexi.

 

Hendriks then starts leaving some pitches up, but does his best to minimize the damage caused by Casilla by coaxing a double play ball from Pena to keep it at two runs. He's basically at 100 pitches with one of the best hitters in baseball, Longoria up. Hendriks has been losing some of his command . . . maybe if Anthony Swarzak was a real pitcher and could have gone five innings the night before, the Twins would have made the no-brainer decision there and brought in whatever righty was warming up at the time (Burton?).

 

And then Casilla's play gets changed to a hit. Good lord.

 

One has to like how Hendriks looks as a pitcher out there. Great command on the black, even only at 91 mph, is still very good to have. He also seems to care quite a bit.

Also . . . this was the hope with the acquisition of Carroll and a healthy Span and Mauer. I think the three of them got on base 10 times. If Morneau stays the way he is and with Willingham playing so well, this team can be very good offensively.