I'm back from vacation, will be at Target Field the next three days, then writing about college football this weekend.

So in Ron Gardenhire's pregame presser, I try to make the point that the Twins' fan base is so fanatical these days that he even gets heat when he gives Denard Span his first day off of the year.

Gardy didn't take it well, saying he only hears that when I tell him that. A little while later, he left in a huff, reminding us all that the Twins are still in first place.

Was it something I said? It usually is.

I'm actually in complete support of Gardenhire giving his key players days off. That's what I wrote about for the Wednesday paper.

If you want to second-guess the manager, here's where I'd start: He's using Trevor Plouffe and Matt Tolbert in the 2-hole. That just can't be a good thing.

Here's my philosophy on sports management: Never do what your opponent would like to see you do.

If you're facing the Twins, would you rather see Tolbert in the 2-hole, or Mauer moved up to 2, with Cuddyer batting third and Morneau fourth? To me, when Orlando Hudson is out - and I'm hearing it's going to be a while before he's back - you should move Mauer up and take the opportunity to split up Mauer and Morneau. I know they both hit lefties well, but they don't necessarily hit elite lefthanded specialists who will be called in to get them out late in the game.

-With the new 1500ESPN format, I'm on at 2:40 every afternoon with Joe and Pat, and I'm on a couple of times a week at 6-ish p.m. with Joe Anderson. You can follow me on twitter at Souhanstrib.