CHICAGO — I'm off to catch a plane home for the opener, but first, amid all the rubble of a 1-5 week, here are a couple of bright spots to make you feel better:
— Joe Mauer had two more hits on Sunday, including one off tough lefty Chris Sale, and he's now hitting .300 (6 for 20). True, all six hits are singles, but he's drawn four walks, too. Got upset over a called third strike in the third inning and let Sam Holbrook know about it, too.
— Danny Santana, after starting the season 0-for-11 and worrying his manager, collected two hits on Saturday and two more Sunday, easing the pressure he may have been feeling.
— It's only one start, but Tommy Milone sounded relieved Friday, and convinced that he's once again the pitcher he was in Oakland, the one who went 31-22 over three seasons.
— Aaron Thompson looks like he can handle the lefty-specialist role. He pitched 2 2/3 innings here in Chicago and didn't give up a hit. And while Blaine Boyer is having his problems, Rule 5 pickup J.R. Graham has looked like he belongs, throwing 95-96 mph.
OK, that's all I've got. C'mon, they're 1-5 for only the fourth time in their history. They opened 1-7 in 1994, so it could be worse. On the other hand, the undefeated AL champions are coming in tomorrow. See you there.