One of the best stories in baseball in recent years was the trio of AL Central Titles won by the Minnesota Twins immediately after Commissioner Bud Selig threatened the team with contraction. Unfortunately, that story does not have a happy ending as, while we have all been waiting around for the Twins to convert their seemingly endless supply of young talent into a more meaningful title, the team has regressed into mediocrity. That the left side of their infield is populated by Juan Castro and Tony Batista, the latter of whom spent 2005 playing in Japan, should be evidence enough of that.

That said, the Twins are always going to be dangerous because of their pitching, which is why it’s fortuitous that the Yankees are catching them this early in the season. One game shy of two times through their rotation, the Twins starters have a combined ERA of 6.63 and would-be two-time Cy Young winner Johan Santana, who will go tomorrow against Jaret Wright’s first start of the season, has yet to win a game.

Tonight, the Yankees face 24-year-old rookie Scott Baker, who beat out Francisco Liriano (the left-handed future star who is generally considered the second coming of Santana) for the fifth starter’s spot in spring training. While no pushover himself, Baker took the loss in his first start, allowing three runs on nine hits and a walk in 4 1/3 innings against the powerful Indians’ lineup. A decent first outing spoiled by the fact that the Twins bats couldn’t muster a single run against Jason Johnson, Gullermo Mota and Bob Wickman.

Mike Mussina takes the hill for the Yanks, looking to build upon his surprisingly strong performance in his first two starts.

Minnesota Twins

2005 Record: 83-79 (.512)
2005 Pythagorean Record: 84-78 (.519)

Manager: Ron Gardenhire
General Manager: Terry Ryan

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (101/101)

Who’s Replacing Whom?

• Jason Kubel replaces Jacque Jones
• Luis Castillo replaces Luis Rivas and a great deal of Nick Punto’s playing time
• Rondell White replaces Matt LeCroy and part of Lew Ford’s playing time
• Tony Batista replaces Terry Tiffee and a chunk of Michael Cuddyer’s playing time
• Juan Castro takes over Jason Bartlett’s playing time (minors)
• Scott Baker inherits Joe May’s starts
• Francisco Liriano inherits J.C. Romero’s innings
• Willie Eyre replaces Terry Mullholand’s innings

Current Roster

1B – Justin Morneau (L)
2B – Luis Castillo (S)
SS – Juan Castro (R)
3B – Tony Batista (R)
C – Joe Mauer (L)
RF – Jason Kubel (L)
CF – Torii Hunter (R)
LF – Shannon Stewart (R)
DH – Rondell White (R)

Bench:

R – Michael Cuddyer (UT)
R – Lew Ford (OF)
S – Luis O. Rodriguez (IF)
S – Nick Punto (IF)
R – Mike Redmond (C)

Rotation:

L – Johan Santana
R – Brad Radke
R – Carlos Silva
R – Kyle Lohse
R – Scott Baker

Bullpen:

R – Joe Nathan
R – Jesse Crain
R – Juan Rincon
L – Francisco Liroano
R – Matt Guerrier
R – Willie Eyre

DL: L – Dave Gassner

Typical Lineup

R – Shannon Stewart (LF)
S – Luis Castillo (2B)
L – Joe Mauer (C)
R – Rondell White (DH)
R – Torii Hunter (CF)
L – Justin Morneau (1B)
R – Tony Batista (3B)
L – Jason Kubel (RF)
R – Juan Castro (SS)