The Yankees play just seven games against the central-division Twins this year, and it’s rather advantageous that they’re getting three of them out of the way now. That may seem an odd statement given that the Yankees are 2-3 and have yet to get a quality start (or anything even close) from their starting rotation, while the Twins are 4-1 and have allowed just 2.4 runs per game, but a quick look at the pitching probables for this series shows that the Twins are repeating their mistakes from a year ago.

Last year, the Twins broke camp with Tony Batista at third base, Juan Castro at shortstop, and Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva in the starting rotation. It wasn’t until mid-May that the team began to figure out that they had to do better, eventually ridding themselves of Batista, Castro, and Lohse, and benching underperforming right fielder Lew Ford. While their solutions in right field (Michael Cuddyer) and the left side of the infield (Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett) are still in place (though Punto is unlikely to be a long-term fix at the hot corner), the Twins have taken a step backwards in the rotation. Silva continues to hold a spot and, in place of the retired Brad Radke, the injured Francisco Liriano, and 2006 solution Matt Garza, who had an excellent spring, they’ve turned to proven patsies Ramon Ortiz and, believe it or not, Sidney Ponson.

Admittedly, Garza got roughed up pretty good last year, but that came late in the year as he was inching toward his career mark for innings in a single season (he ultimately threw 185 2/3 over four levels, just surpassing his total from the previous season split between Fresno State, rookie ball, and low-A). One could argue that Garza’s on the Phil Hughes plan, but there are three key differences. Garza, a first-round draft pick out of Fresno State in 2005, is nearly three years older than Hughes. Hughes is on a 180-inning limit this year, but Garza has already passed that in each of the last two seasons. Finally, Hughes had never pitched above double-A coming into 2007, while Garza threw 50 major league innings at the end of last season. Also unlike Hughes, Garza sailed through spring training with a 1.50 ERA. Garza’s a top prospect who’s ready to join the major league rotation. So who do the Twins block him with? Sidney Ponson, a man who was relased by three teams in a 12-month span from September 1, 2005 to September 1, 2006 and this spring had a WHIP of 1.56 and struck out just 6 men in 16 innings. They must have been really blown away by Sir Sidney’s 3.94 ERA.

That or they plan to skip the fifth spot in their rotation as often as possible and wanted Garza to get regular work in the minors. Fortunately for the Yankees, one of the times the defending AL Central Champs need their fifth starter is tonight. Meanwhile, Johan Santana, who’s officially the greatest pitcher on the planet, pitched last night. So, you see, it’s rather advantageous that the Yanks are getting three of their games against the Twins out of the way now, because the Twinks will surely haved wise up by the time they come to the Bronx around Independence Day, and it’s unlikely that the Yanks will miss Santana again in that four-game set. It will also benefit the Yankees to come in from the cold to the climate-controlled Metrodome. In both cases (and I never thought I’d say this about the Hubert H. Homerdome, but given the weather in the Bronx of late . . .) the Yankees should enjoy it while you can.

Carl Pavano takes his second turn tonight. He actually looked pretty good through his first four innings on Opening Day, allowing just one unearned run following Derek Jeter’s throwing error. In fact, if you convert that error to an out and erase the remainder of that second inning in which Pavano allowed a walk and an RBI single before getting the final out, Meat’s line through four innings would have been 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K. Even as played, his four-inning line was a very respectable 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. The fact of the matter is he flat ran out of gas in the fifth, which is not unusual considering how long it’s been since he’s pitched regularly. That fatigue is yet another reason to trade Pavano in late May, assuming he pitches well enough to fetch a good return and the rest of the rotation shapes up, of course. Between his injury risk and lack of stamina, the chances of Pavano continuing to pitch well all year (if he gets there at all) are very slim. His chances of outlasting his opponent tonight are much better. Sidney Ponson is bad.

Minnesota Twins

2006 Record: 96-66 (.593)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 93-69 (.574)

Manager: Ron Gardenhire
General Manager: Terry Ryan

Home Ballpark (2006 Park Factors): Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (98/98)

Who’s Replacing Whom?

Jason Kubel replaces Lew Ford (DL)
Rondell White takes over Shannon Stewart’s playing time
Jeff Cirillo replaces Tony Batista
Chris Heintz replaces Juan Castro
Ramon Ortiz replaces Brad Radke
Sidney Ponson replaces Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano, seriously
Pat Neshek takes over Willie Eyre’s innings

25-man Roster

1B – Justin Morneau (L)
2B – Luis Castillo (S)
SS – Jason Bartlett (S)
3B – Nick Punto (S)
C – Joe Mauer (L)
RF – Michael Cuddyer (R)
CF – Torii Hunter (R)
LF – Rondell White (R)
DH – Jason Kubel (L)

Bench:

R – Jeff Cirillo (IF)
L – Jason Tyner (OF)
R – Mike Redmond (C)
S – Luis Rodriguez (IF)
R – Chris Heintz (C)

Rotation:

L – Johan Santana
R – Sidney Ponson
R – Boof Bonser
R – Ramon Ortiz
R – Carlos Silva

Bullpen:

R – Joe Nathan
R – Juan Rincon
R – Jesse Crain
R – Pat Neshek
L – Dennys Reyes
R – Matt Guerrier

15-day DL: R – Lew Ford (OF), S – Alejandro Machado (IF)
60-day DL: L – Francisco Liriano

Lineup:

S – Luis Castillo (2B)
S – Nick Punto (3B)
L – Joe Mauer (C)
R – Michael Cuddyer (R)
L – Justin Morneau (1B)
R – Torii Hunter (CF)
R – Rondell White (LF)
L – Jason Kubel (DH)
S – Jason Bartlett (SS)