Steamy day. I'm here covering the collapse of your Minnesota Twins, and the way Francisco Liriano has pitched lately doesn't give me much optimism for tonight.

This series could be the death knell for the season. Isn't it amazing that Carl Pavano has become the staff ace? What if they hadn't re-signed him?

Of course, if they hadn't re-signed him, Brian Duensing would have been in the rotation, and then the bullpen would have gotten worn out.

Kubel in the 4-hole tonight, with Punto playing third and batting ninth.

Check out my colleague La Velle Neal's video from last night. There is a highlight about a minute in. Usually I only see La Velle that upset at closing time.

He's right: The Twins' responding to this crisis by bringing up a struggling Jeff Manship instead of Anthony Slama is season suicide. I have no idea if Slama's stuff will work in the big leagues, but now is the time to find out.

Twins are taking early batting practice right now. Wouldn't early pitching practice be better?

I worked as a Target Field employee last night for an upcoming Star Trib special feature. I'll be on the 1500espn pregame show tonight from 6-6:40 before heading inside to cover the game.

I'll check in here after the game.