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(AP Photo/ Jim Mone)

Season Record: 15-17

Up Next: Tigers (7:10 CT, 5/12)

1. Bullpen Blowup

One thing kept the Minnesota Twins from the playoffs last season -- the bullpen. With a group of pitchers unable to collect any sort of outs last season, a long outing by the starting pitchers was often wasted and instead turned into a beating. The bullpen was consistent, but is was a consistency of allowing runs and blowing games.

With the signing of Luis Ayala, general manager Bill Smith attempted to stabilize a bad bullpen. The signing hasn't been much of a difference maker, and the bullpen has once again blown several games in the seventh and eighth innings. In the past ten games, the bullpen has blown three different games in the late innings. The Twins are 15-17 on the season, and with any type of eighth inning pitcher, they might be four or more games better.

Luis Ayala isn't anything more that a mop-up guy, Jesse Crain throws hard but can't control his pitches and has an ERA near 8.00, R.A. Dickey can't control his knuckle and teams blast hits around the field when he toes the rubber, Craig Breslow hasn't come close to the production he provided last season, and Jose Mijares after pitching a few solid innings in his first week, has been knocked around in recent outings including the eighth inning of the series finale with the Twins holding a 2-0 lead.

If the Twins think the group of pitchers down the left field line can simply "work out the kinks" they're going to be in for quite a treat. The fans meanwhile will see their team in the same boat they did a year ago; one game shy of the playoffs.

2. Home Field Advantage?

Put starter Nick Blackburn on the mound anywhere outside of the Metrodome and you may encounter some problems. The second-year pro last season posted a 4.97 ERA away from the Metrodome, but under the Teflon roof, posted a solid 2.96 ERA. 

While the numbers haven't been drastically different early on this season, Blackburn has still had his best moments this season in the Dome. After being knocked around a bit in his recent trip to the mound, Blackburn took the hill as the Twins looked to sweep the Mariners and move back to the .500 mark.

A seven inning scoreless outing provided the Twins with a great opportunity to collect a victory, and Blackburn exited the mound with his team holding a 2-0 lead and one inning away from Joe Nathan and a possible sweep. The bullpen imploded yet again to take away the sweep and Blackburn's win, but the outing moved Blackburn's ERA down to 4.32, much closer to what the Twins hope for from their fifth starter.

3. Near Comeback

After the bullpen let the team's two-run lead slip away in the eighth inning, the Twins entered the ninth inning down by a score of 5-2. After Nick Punto led off the inning with a single, Denard Span and Jason Kubel were each retired to give the Mariners two outs. The game seemed just about over before Joe Mauer collected another RBI single to bring the game within reach at 5-3.

Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer walked to load the bases with two outs and the team down two runs. A hit would have tied the game at least, but Brendan Harris hit a 3-2 fastball to third base to end the game. The Twins shouldn't have been batting in the ninth, but it would have been nice to see the comeback.