Minnesota Twins: Headed West to Find Consistency in Denver

The Twins wrapped up a frustrating week yesterday afternoon, and it was a perfect microcosm for how the team has been playing over the last few games. Down early, the Twins clawed their way back into the game, made a few key mistakes, and left the ball in the less-than-capable hands of Jesse Crain.

Crain's incompetence aside, though he was responsible for half of the Twins losses during this homestand, the Twins just did not put themselves in a position to win any of the games against the hapless Jays. They led for a paltry half-inning in game one, and played catch-up for the rest of the week.

Oddly enough, however, they were never out of any of the games. Even after Matt Stairs took Boof Bonser's thigh-high fastball up and out for a grand slam in the first inning of game two, the Twins fought back.

Their persistence made the series fun to watch, but also immensely frustrating, as it seemed that one break might have turned the tide in the Twins favor.

The team now finds itself in much the same position it was after getting pummeled by Oakland and Texas. They are .500, one-and-a-half games behind the suddenly hot Indians, playing just well enough to lose, and generally spinning their wheels.

Instead of heading into Coors with all the momentum in the world after winning their four game set with the Red Sox, and even taking one from the Jays, the Twins are again in a situation where they need to slow down, get back to doing the fundamentals well, and playing like the team that swept the White Sox and Tigers.

Fortunately, the Twins have raked against the National League over the past few years. They went 10-8 last year and 14-1 the year before.

Tonight's game, much like game one against the White Sox, is very important for the Twins. They can either continue to wallow in their own misfortune, make mistakes, and beat themselves, or they can hope Nick Blackburn can act as a stopper, and beat a reeling Rockies team.

The Twins are not playing well right now. The games they have lost, they have deserved to lose. That is why this three-game set in Denver is so important. The Twins should take at least two, if not sweep the Rockies. If they can take some momentum out of Denver, it will vastly improve their chances of getting some revenge on the Texas squad that prolonged their previous slide.