Okay, let's be honest...something in the rotation in Minnesota has got a fix. Someone doesn't belong. A sub .500 record is not exactly what the Twins had for expectations midway through June.
With injuries and a shaky lineup, the Twins remain only 3.5 games back in a lagging Central division. Somehow, despite being able to reach the fifth inning for most of the starting rotation, they've managed to remain in the hunt for a division title.
But to know who belongs or not, lets take a gander at what Minnesota has to offer at this point...
Scott Baker (4-6) 57 K, 5.59 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Okay, so Baker isn't exactly fulfilling his "ace" role, then again who expected him to. With the third-most strikeouts, you certainly can't toss him down to Rochester. Baker has shown shades of brilliance, yet followed by horrible spells where he gets engulfed when having a four run lead and still gets tallied with a loss.
Baker possesses many tools to be successful. Many have compared him to Brad Radke in style and could very easily change his luck around and still have a +.500 record in the end.
Fransisco Liriano (2-7) 62 K, 5.99 ERA, 1.54 WHIP
This one mystifies me. Gardenhire strikes me as a straightforward type of skipper, yet out of 13 starts this season, Liriano has a basement record and little to show for it. His lone attribute worth mentioning is a the highest strikeout total on the team.
However, he's also given up the most walks (34) and third-most home runs (10).
Liriano has time to prove he's legit after being on the shelf in 2007, but his time is fading. If you're unable to keep a .500 record...or even a .250 record, you won't last in the MLB. It's a fact.
I wouldn't be surprised if he falters again, that he's replaced by Glen Perkins in the rotation.
Nick Blackburn (5-2) 37 K, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Blackburn has somehow kept his young unknown style in winning form by still being able to win using the defense behind him. His key to winning isn't surprising at all. Unlike his teammates Baker and Liriano, Blackburn has been able to keep the ball down and in the park (seven HR's allowed).
He's also able to pitch a full outing making it to at least the sixth inning in most games. With that formula, it's a winning combination. Blackburn I would think rightfully belongs at the No. 2 spot. He's hitting his spots and still proving to be a force to be reckoned with despite being the No. 3 guy.
Kevin Slowey (9-2) 61 K, 4.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
It'll be a shame if Slowey doesn't make it to the All-Star game at this rate. He's accomplished more in the 2009 season in some respects, that it would take a miracle (or curse) to not surpass his 2008 totals dramatically.
Slowey has the second most wins in the MLB, yet sits number four in the rotation. Like Blackburn, he's relied heavily on his defense around him.
Slowey, by record should be the ace of the club. His ERA and strikeout totals (if not his overall record) prove to be far superior to Baker or Liriano.
Anthony Swarzak (1-2) 12 K, 5.23 ERA, 1.55 WHIP
Despite Swarzak's shortcomings, he still proves to be major league material. His unknown pitching style gives him the same advantage Blackburn, Slowey and Perkins had last year. With the element of surprise, he has a chance to have +.500 record.
With only four starts under his belt in the major leagues, it's hard to gauge him, but we can honestly assume that until he's pitching anything less than five innings on average (a la Fransisco Liriano) he will find a place in the Minnesota staff with time.
Glen Perkins (1-3) 26 K, 5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
Despite only eight starts, you can't immediately sell on Glen Perkins. This guy had a 12-4 record in 2008 and has proven ability to use the defense around him as well as make hitters chase.
Although his record and ERA don't really speak volumes to his value in '09, he still has time to turn it around barring this issue with his elbow doesn't linger. With the current set-up in Minnesota, Perkins has legitimate chance to bounce one of the struggling pitchers out of the starting rotation.
R.A. Dickey (1-0) 25 K, 2.86 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Dickey has been clawing for a role in the rotation since spring training broke out. With a knuckler in his arsenal, he has a good chance to eventually be in the rotation. While only being a long-outting reliever at the moment, he's still available for use if Gardy so desires.
With only one start, which was an offset start in place of the at the time injured Scott Baker, he notched his one and only win. Although, in relief, he's found a comfortable groove and nice ERA to boot.
The problem with moving him to the rotation is that he may not be the same pitcher as he was in the pen. He'll be there I suspect, but when he gets there remains a mystery.
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Once again, it's hard to say who will be giving this team the best chance to win. Obviously, this team has the power to win games with their bats this year, a startling new feature of the Twins.
If Mauer can still launch em out of the yard, Morneau plays consistently well, Crede proves to be what he's being paid for and if Cuddyer proves to be the real deal, then this team could be a shark waiting to strike in September...pending on the rotation and bullpen's success.
Optimal Pitching Rotation (at this moment in time)
1. Kevin Slowey
2. Nick Blackburn
3. Scott Baker
4. Glen Perkins (assuming injury in arm isn't serious)
5. Anthony Swarzak
Bullpen: R.A. Dickey
Send to Rochester: Fransisco Liriano
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