Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Tommy Milone (49) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Pitching As An Asset
This narrative has been something we have been pushing all offseason. The past four years, the Twins have been abysmal on the mound. Starting guys like Samuel Deduno and Cole DeVries in the rotation, they were doomed to fail from the get go. This season, an addition like Ervin Santana makes an immediate impact to the rotation.
In their first four games, the Twins have seen Kyle Gibson, Phil Hughes, Tommy Milone, and Ervin Santana all start games for them. Both Gibson and Hughes gave up runs, but for the most part, starting performances have been something for the club to hang their hats on. With relief efforts that have held teams to low scoring outputs, Paul Molitor has to be in a position where he feels good about where his pitchers are.
On Sunday, the Twins got their first glimpse at future arms in the form of Jose Berrios as well. Coming on for three innings of work against the Baltimore Orioles, he looked every bit as sharp as his 2014 suggested he could be. Striking out two and finding himself in plenty of low-stress situations, Minnesota had to come away impressed from the first outing.
Ricky Nolasco is set to make his Spring Training debut this week, and will look to rebound from an injury-riddled 2014 season. Adding his quality arm back into the rotation, the Twins are in a great place entering the 2015 campaign. All of this has been stated without even mentioning Trevor May or Alex Meyer as well.