The Twins' attempt to overhaul a starting pitching staff that floundered in 2012 has been met with, at best, mixed results in 2013. Here is a look at how last year's starting staff stacks up against this year's. The 2012 figures, excluding the April and May numbers, are year-end totals. The 2013 figures do not include Tuesday's game.
2012
Category
2013
6.75
ERA in April
4.88
5.74
ERA in May
6.15
5.40
Overall ERA
5.42
29th
Overall ERA rank in MLB
29th
5.4
Innings pitched per start
5.3
5.5
Strikeouts per nine innings
4.1
1.48
Walks and hits allowed per inning (WHIP)
1.60
.291
Opponent batting average
.328
Twelve different pitchers made at least five starts, including nine who made at least 10.
Continuity
Same five pitchers have made all but two starts, though that will change Friday.
Reinforcements posted more respectable numbers after injuries and failures wiped out the projected rotation.
Silver lining
Current rotation could start to produce or reinforcements could post more respectable numbers if they falter.
MICHAEL RAND