Series #1 = Success (3-1)

Excellent start to the new season! Winning the series against the Angels at their own park is quite an achievement! Also hitting 9 homeruns! Awesome! Having had so much trouble with the Angels in the past it adds to the confidence to go in and beat them 3 out of 4! The Angels are a good team, a good hitting team and we held them down - way to go Pitchers!!!

Loved watching Thome last night! The guy ran his ass off to get a double and then hits a HUGE homerun later in the game. I say buy him a glove and put him at first base once in a while - ok maybe too far there but he looked great!

The whole team looks great. Everyone looked so focused so serious as they played but then you'd see them in the dugout smiling and high fivin'! Great team chemistry! It does seem to me that they are going about the business of baseball while still having fun! All four starters looked good especially from the stand point that they each had moments of trouble but they stayed focused and worked out of it. They seem to be pitching with confidence knowing that they can manage the game and as long as they keep it close their hitters will come thru for them. And how about that bullpen!?! Mijares came in last night and did a great job showing that Monday was not the norm. Loved watching Burnett close out the ninth, you could see how excited he was but he kept it under control and worked the pitches!

Now I know this is only 4 games of 162, its a long season and there will be bad games but looking at this line up and seeing the 6to9 hitters coming up and knocking the snot out of the ball that just makes you feel GOOD! They still play the small ball getting people on base and moving them around but to have the long ball in your back pocket is fabulous. I do not envy the opposing pitchers there is no let up in this line up. You got the big dogs and the piranhas, get past the MVPs to Cuddy, Kubel/Thome and Del then Hardy, Harris or Punto and back to the beginning. WOW!

Ok was it just me or did you feel the emphasis behind Harris's bat when he hit the homerun. Like he was saying check that out! Play me at third - of course he followed up with a strikeout and missing a scorcher down third base line. Honestly I think Punto would have handled that ball but I will admit I am a Nicky fan!! I just hope Harris accepts the role he has and makes the most of it. So far the whole team seems to understand the plan, willing to get that productive out and keeping focused.

Tonight will be the beginning of another tough series. The guys will be tired from traveling last night and they have to play early sat. Guessing Joe and Thome won't play tonight. Thinking Thome is probably sore from hoofing it around the bases last night! Get to see Loriano throw - Hope he tosses a no hitter and sends Ozzie into a tizzy!

GO TWINS!

Questions.....

3rd base
Early reports made it seem that Harris was a lock on playing third. But seems like it will come down to 3 Bredan harris, Nick Punto and Danny Valencia.

It comes down to do we want more bat less defense or defense less bat. All reports indicate Valencia will go to Triple A with hopes he'll be a mid season pull up. I doubt they will bring him up mostly because they wont need him and better to have him playing everyday to improve.

As you may know I am a fan of Punto and I think people whorip on him are ignorant Sure he doesn't light up the batting box. He is a leader in the clubhouse and spark on the field. He can play defense anywhere! With the new additions of Hardy and Hudson we can afford to have Punto batting 9th. We can count on him stopping some runs defensively. He got 60 walks last year! I take that over Harris in the field. Besides Harris has been a pretty good pinch hitter late in games.

I know Gardy loves Punto! Most likely they will split time there but I shall envision Punto having a good year at the plate and gold gloving in the outfield. Its going to be a fun year!