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(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Season Record: 12-11

Up Next: Royals (6:10 CT, 5/2)

1. All About Run Support

Last season Kevin Slowey had a solid ERA from the middle of the rotation, yet because of poor run support, he struggled to collect victories and strengthen his record. After a handful of starts, Slowey has had his share of good games in which he's pitched great and earned his victories; there have however been a few games where run support has been the key.

The last two outings of April have been Slowey's two best, and heading into his first May start, Slowey was looking to continue his recent run of quality starts. Slowey put forward a few good innings, but overall he struggled through his five inning start as he allowed five runs on eight hits. The now 5.17 ERA is a little deceiving because Slowey has been better than the numbers might indicate.

Slowey has been very streaky as he's put forward at best decent starts, followed by two lights out starts, and now most recently a somewhat poor start. With the run support his offense has provided however, his 4-0 record makes the story behind the outings disappear.

2. The M&M Combination 

With a .500 record through the first month of the season, the Twins managed to keep up with the rest of the pack without their All-Star catcher, Joe Mauer. For the first game of May however, Mauer finally returned to his three-spot in the lineup to, for the first time in '09, complete the M&M combination with his MVP friend, Justin Morneau.

The early results couldn't be better: Mauer went 2-3 with a walk, a homerun, an RBI, and three runs scored. Morneau, returning to the cleanup spot, went 2-3 with a homerun, three RBI, and a run scored. 

Jose Morales held his own while Mauer was rehabbing in Florida, but the return of the two-time Batting Champ on Friday night gave the Twins a completely different feel; and while Morales hit for a good average, the lineup still seemed much improved with each hitter down a slot and number seven hitting in slot number three.

3. Bullpen Shines

The bullpen was a major weakness for the Twins last season, and early on it proved to be inconsistent once again. In the past week however, the bullpen has looked like a completely different group. No matter who has entered the game, whether it be Breslow, Dickey, Mijares, Guerrier or someone else, the bullpen has held their own.

Has Mijares been the turning point? Last season when the lefty was promoted in September, the bullpen seemed to thrive. This year, after starting in triple-A with a few issues, Mijares has been recalled due to injury, and pitched perfectly. Last night, not only did Mijares put forth another good outing, but Matt Guerrier put in two perfect innings of work with only twelve pitches.

To prove that the recent success isn't a fluke it'll take more than a week of good outings. Whatever the case, it's a welcomed success.