April Recap

Now, the Twins have never (to TBL's recollection) been much of an April team. Slow out of the gate but picking up speed down the stretch is more their style. This April, though, not so bad. I'll compare to recent years in a moment. First, the quick hits:

The Good
The Twins posted a winning record on the road--and not just by a game or two, but 7-4. They also fared well against East and West teams, and in one-run games. They hit more doubles in April than any other AL team.

The Bad
The Twins didn't do so well at home, sealing a .500 home record on the month by eking out a 1-0, extra inning win against the Royals in their final home game for April. the pitching staff is third in the league in most home runs surrendered.

The Ugly
The Twins were 5-7 against other Central teams. Ouch. They're also last in the league in home runs.

So, not a stellar month, but not half bad. It could have been--and has in recent memory actually been--much, MUCH worse.

Year	W	L	Pct	Rank	GB	vs E	vs C	vs W	Home	Road	1-run
2003	13	14	.448	3rd	5.0	n/a	n/a	n/a	6-7	7-7	n/a
2004	15	8	.652	1st	--	n/a	n/a	n/a	10-4	5-4	n/a
2005	15	9	.625	2nd	2.5	0-0	11-7	4-2	8-3	7-6	6-4
2006	9	16	.360	4th	9.0	3-3	2-10	4-3	6-4	3-12	4-1
2007	14	11	.560	2nd (T)	1.5	6-4	5-7	3-0	7-7	7-4	5-2

(Unfortunately, the MLB standings page doesn't work "as of" before 2005, which is why my numbers run a bit thin before that...)

So, if this team holds to its usual pattern of not really getting going until June, they are going to be en fuego through the summer months. And that's an idea we can all get behind!

And, last but not least:

Who Was Hot

• Ramon Ortiz, 3-1, 2.57 ERA, 35.0 IP
• Joe Mauer, .369 BA, .465 OBP, 15 BB, 0 PB
  
• Juan Rincon, 1.86 ERA, 11.17 K/9
• Torii Hunter, 1.003 OPS, 5 HR, 13 2B, 4 SB
• Michael Cuddyer, 17 RBI, 6 outfield assists
  

Who Was Not

• Sidney Ponson, 1-3, 8.44 ERA, 16 BB, 7 HR
• Jason Bartlett, .239 BA, 6 E, .943 FPCT
  
• Dennys Reyes, 7.04 ERA, 2.61 WHIP
• Nick Punto, .220 BA, .304 OBP
• Mike Redmond, .259 BA, .298 OBP