The Twins needed Monday’s off day as much as they’ve needed one all season. This team played 40 games in 41 days earlier, and 17 in 17 days before that off day last Monday between Oakland and Toronto.

But an off day at home gives a team the ultimate rest.

Coming off the 14-game road trip and turning right around from a Thursday night game in Toronto to play Friday at the Metrodome, the Twins must have viewed the first part of this homestand as more of the same three-week whirlwind.

Now, they’ve had a chance to take a deep breath. A sense of normalcy should return as the Twins open a three-game series with Kansas City tonight. In other words, there will be no excuse if they continue stumbling as they have during this 4-11 stretch.

Tonight, the Twins will face Royals RHP Brian Bannister, who is winless in his past 12 starts. Bannister has a 2.91 ERA in his past three outings, and explained to the KC Star how reverting to his old fastball has helped make a difference.

The Royals are 5-3 in their past eight games, but getting to face Bannister (7-14, 5.56 ERA), Kyle Davies (6-6, 4.59) and Brandon Duckworth (2-1, 6.60) — all at home — should be a welcome sight for Twins hitters.

(*) The White Sox play a day-night doubleheader against the Blue Jays, with that A.J. Burnett/Javier Vazquez matchup starting at 1:05 p.m., and Jesse Litsch/Clayton Richard in the 7:11 game at The Cell.

(*) Minnesota native Shad Ireland will throw out tonight’s ceremonial first pitch at the Metrodome. Ireland is quite a story. Diagnosed with kidney failure at age 10, he became the first dialysis patient to finish a triathalon, including another one Sunday in Los Angeles. Shad has set up a foundation to help other dialysis patients pursue their dreams; here’s a link.

(*) Check back here later this afternoon for the Twins’ starting lineup.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.