Not a lot going on from yesterday or this morning, other than NBA Draft projections and some various NBA trade rumors. To be frank, I think the NBA Draft is the most hit-or-miss of the four pro drafts - NFL is second, but at least most of those kids have had a couple years or more of college seasoning. MLB and NHL Drafts are basically non-issues to me since those draftees spend time in farm leagues and take any number of years to reach the majors. So, as far as the NBA Draft goes, I don't see the big deal. It was known that a kid like Blake Griffin would be a stud (he is), but when you have a draft like this year's, where no one stands out so far, it's possible none of those kids will make an impact next year or the year after... assuming good things happen in the NBA's collective bargaining negotiations.
Those Twins, the good and the bad...
The Minnesota Twins are 32-39, putting them 6.5 games out of first place in the AL Central. This is testament not only to their recent resurgence, but also the bumbling of the Indians and the Tigers at the top. But the June numbers for the Twins don't lie - after a 9-17 start in April (arguably the toughest month of their schedule) and a follow-up performance of 8-19 in May, they're on an 8-game winning streak that has caused their record in June to soar at 15-3.
What's causing the change? Some might say that the return of veterans has helped, but guys like Mauer, Delmon Young and Jim Thome haven't exactly lit it up every night yet and besides that, this turn-around seemed to start before they came back, and they still have a myriad of injuries plaguing the lineup, including the two spring MVPs for the team, Denard Span and Jason Kubel.
My theory is that it has more to do with the maturation of young players. Guys like Alexi Casilla and Ben Revere, in particular. It was no joke when I'd call them a Triple-A MLB team; at times this spring, more than half of their lineup were Triple-A call-ups due to injury. Casilla has never been a line-up fixture, despite the Twins trying over the years to secure him in their infield, either at 2B or SS. Even this year, when he was made the starting SS, he absolutely fizzled at the plate and on the field - he was a popular scapegoat in the Twin Cities for the team's struggles. Revere, also, came on slowly when he was called up. But it would appear that both have found their stride - Casilla is hitting over .300 in June and Rivere has been enough of a bright spot to challenge Delmon Young in LF, although injuries to other outfielders will keep Revere on the field for a few weeks yet.
Another theory, one that Twins fans won't like as much, is that the June schedule has been favorable to them. Other than a series with the Indians and the Rangers - both series they won, 2-1, impressively - they've had the fortune of playing the other AL Central cellar competitors - the ever-hapless Royals (who may be worth keeping an eye on next year, but not this year) and Ozzie Guillen's ever-amusing White Sox. Their first interleague series this month was the Padres, who sit squarely in the NL West cellar. The Giants, who they crushed 9-2 last night, are a better challenge, but a wise man knows to always bet AL against NL (except maybe the Phillies), as the stats show the AL is typically the better of interleague play.
I'm not calling the Twins turn-around complete yet. They have two more games against the Giants before two 3-game series against the NL Central leading Brewers (they play the Dodgers in between). Depending on where they are by the All-Star Game, which sees them play the Rays and White Sox again before, we'll have a better idea of which month was the fluke - the hopelessness of May, or the dominance of June. After the All-Star Game, they'll have homestead for three series - against the Royals, Indians and Tigers. It's those series there, right after the All-Star Game, which could ultimately make or break this season for the Twins.
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