In Spite Of Losing Streak, Michael Cuddyer Shines Through For Twins

It's interesting how even in spite of the biggest downfalls, you can still see a silver lining; a bright shining spot that shows promise. For the Twins, out of their past six games, veteran Michael Cuddyer has been that silver lining.

Minnesota's series in New York was truly a shame. Not just for the fact that the Twins went all the way to the last out in every game within whispering distance of victory, but the fact that the Twins stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both were playing at their best. At least for the first three games in New York.

Joe Mauer enters today on a 13-game hitting streak batting an appealing .397 batting average and seven home runs, just two shy of what he hit in the entire 2008 season. When he entered Chicago he had gone on a nine game streak of being issued a walk. Although he's been hitting .292 since arriving in New York and Chicago and only getting four RBI's in that time. He's also struck out five times this past series and a half.

In New York Morneau went 9-16 with with two extra-base hits and three home runs. However, he's been a bit more silent in Chicago then Joe only recording one hit in seven at-bats.

Enter Michael Cuddyer who may not be regularly producing Justin Morneau/Joe Mauer numbers, but providing his best when they aren't. In the past three games, Cuddyer has been batting .333 with one double and two home runs to put him at five on the season.

It's been known his attitude in the club house is known as a jester. It makes you wonder if he's poking fun at Joe and Justin right now based on their performances through the Chicago series so far... well, at least until they either leave Chicago or until Morneau/Mauer find their sweet spot again.

Cuddyer currently has a batting average of .259 on the season with five home runs, 22 RBI's and four stolen bases.