Limping into the break

While the Twins as a team haved limped into the All-Star break, I think for the starting pitchers it's more like they've gone into a coma. Instead of a first-place lead in the weak AL Central Division, the Twins stumbled toward the break and now sit in third place with a 46-42 record.

They have a losing record on the road, which is no wonder considering how poor the starters have thrown the ball when away from Target Field. Nick Blackburn needs a stint in Rochester to get his stuff together. Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano have all had some bad outings recently. Carl Pavano and his still-present mustache seems to be the only reliable one.

I even saw a stat thrown out on Twitter pointing out that only four teams in the majors have won fewer games than the Twins since June 1: Baltimore, Toronto, Washington and Pittsburgh - all non-contending teams that the Twins should be embarrassed to be in the same category with.

This isn't just a little slump; it's a big concern. Losing series after series will only lower your position in the standings. A big problem lately has been pitching. As good as their lineup is, they don't have an ace on the mound. And it's like the common saying: Good pitching beats good hitting.

Good for Young, bad for Cuddy
One bright spot this season has been the offensive stylings of outfielder Delmon Young. To his credit, he got in shape for the season and is producing results. We're finally seeing the benefit of the trade that brought him here from Tampa a couple years ago.

Young is an (often clutch) offensive weapon for the Twins right now. It's a good thing too, because someone has to step up for Mauer's "slump" of hitting below .300. Unfortunately, Young still isn't getting it done in left field. But I guess his offense can make up for the fact that his fielding could use some work.

Turning to a strong outfielder, apparently Michael Cuddyer is turning into the next Denny Hocking. In my eyes, Cuddy is an outfielder with a great arm. But with interleague play in June, boosting the lineup and filling in for the injured, he's the utility infielder getting time at third and first base (when Justin Morneau is out).

I remember his time as a regular at third base a few years ago, and I wasn't impressed. His arm is too strong to suffocate in the infield. It's great that he wants to be a team player, but his talents belong in right field.

Maybe the worst sports injury ever - the concussion
On the injury front, Orlando Hudson and J.J. Hardy are both back in the infield, but Morneau may be in some trouble after taking a knee to the head in a slide collision in Toronto last week. He is sidelined with concussion symptoms, not a first occurance for the first baseman who played hockey in his youth.

His health will certainly be a thing to keep an eye on because concussions are just so unpredictable. Just ask Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Corey Koskie. Morneau already missed the entire weekend series in Detroit, and he will be forced out of the All-Star game where he and Joe Mauer were supposed to be starters.

But the All-Star game is another issue altogether.

With the collapse before the break, stats are being thrown out there saying the Twins are a second-half team. Maybe that's true, but if you don't have starting pitching, you'll be going nowhere fast.