It's a little chilly. There's a little breeze. But it's Opening Day, and that means it's glorious outside. Target Field is on its A-game as the Twins try to find theirs against the 6-0 Kansas City Royals.
The Twins are 1-5, and it's looking a lot like last season...and the season before...and the season before. But manager Paul Molitor said before the game that looking at the big picture is the way to stay positive. He believes it takes time for a team to find its identity. We will see about that, because usually your identity is based on that day's pitcher.
Ricky Nolasco is hoping he will be able to rejoin the rotation as soon as his stint on the 15-day DL is up, but no one is really sure. He is currently rehabbing his elbow. ``We'll see how it goes," he said.
Casey Fien is ready to return to action after throwing some this morning. The Twins sorely need him, because he's their only experienced 8th inning pitcher.
"It was just muscle tightness," Fien said. ``I slipped on the mound and kind of yanked my shoulder a little bit. I gave it some time off, did some treatment and now good to go."
Joe West is part of this umpiring crew, for some reason. This is not his normal crew, and he's not even the crew chief today, Dana DeMuth is. West drew the ire of Torii Hunter for his strike three call on Opening Day in Detroit. Replays showed Hunter checked his swing, and Hunter complained enough after the game to draw a fine.
The Royals were one of the teams Torii Hunter considered before signing with the Twins. Now that team has blasted out of the gates. Edinson Volquez was fabulous in his Royals debut and Kansas City is hitting home runs.
Shane Robinson is in center today, as the Twins start just two lefties against the Royals' Danny Duffy.
