(*) Can’t count how many times I’ve wondered what Twins players thought of the crushing high fives Michael Cuddyer gives after big moments on the field. So my knees were buckling in Gardy’s postgame session Tuesday, when he said, “I love Michael hitting the home runs. I hate the high fives. If you watch him, he breaks your hand in the dugout, and you can’t get away from him because you have to high five him.”

With another homer, Cuddyer will have 25, setting a new career-high. When it happens, it might be a good time for teammates to give him the silent treatment. For their own safety.

(*) Gotta love Jose Morales citing the old Branch Rickey quote, “A full mind is an empty bat.” Morales thought it was a Yogism, but either way, the point is clear. Don’t overthink things in those big situations (ahem, GoGo), just go up there and do your thing.

Morales’ thing is to hit. And it’s time for the Twins to recognize what a weapon he gives them off the bench. It’s worth adding another outfielder, and perhaps another infielder to the active roster, just so the Twins don’t have to hesitate using Morales.

If Jason Pridie had been there Tuesday, Gardy could have used Morales to pinch hit for Gomez. And if Brian Buscher hadn’t arrived from Class AAA Rochester on a late-afternoon flight, Gardy wouldn’t have been able to use Morales to pinch-hit for Casilla.

How would that have looked if Gomez and Casilla had gone down in flames in the ninth?

(*) The whole Brad Penny release waiver saga gave me one thought about this two-time All-Star and two-game winner from the 2003 World Series: He’s soft. He wanted no part of this AL Central race. He wanted back in the NL. After shunning the Twins, Penny makes his first start for San Francisco tonight in Philadelphia. Looking back, the Twins are thrilled Jeff Manship could make Tuesday’s start.

Pitching coach Rick Anderson noted that Manship threw 16 change-ups among his 80 pitches. His ability to change speeds and trust his off-speed pitches made it easier to overcome his first-start jitters. Twins had to be relieved, knowing they could need Manship for five more starts.

(*) Anxious to see how Matt Garza does tonight opposite Josh Beckett. The Rays sit six back in the AL wild card race and these next two games against the Red Sox are crucial. Garza is 7-9 with a 3.95 ERA. He was terrific last year in the ALCS, no doubt, and has pitched better than his record again, but remains riddled with inconsistency.

He has yet to go on one of those extended runs like the ones Scott Baker has given the Twins the past two seasons. Baker got off to a terrible start this season, but he is 10-1 with a 3.52 ERA in his past 17 starts.

(*) The Twins and White Sox wrap things up today with at 12:10 p.m. La Velle is at the controls, so head to his blog later this morning for the lineups, etc. For more updates, follow us on Twitter: @LaVelleNeal, @JoeCStarTribune, @SouhanStrib and @AM1500_Reusse.

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