Time to Slow Things Down

The Minnesota Twins had a rather down year in 2007, finishing in third place in the AL Central, and 17 games back of first place. But their future seems to be pretty bright, particualrly in the rotation. Scott Baker, Matt Garza, Boof Bonser, and the return of Francisco Liriano in 2008 should make a formidable staff, not to mention that guy Johan Santana...assuming the Twins are able to keep him for '08. Well there is another kid on that young staff that's sure to be a factor next season, and that is Kevin Slowey.

Slowey was picked by the Twins in the second round of the 2005 Ametuer Draft, according to baseballreference.com. He made his debut this season, going 4-1 in 13 games (11 starts) with a 4.73 ERA. The 23-year old Texas native has a career minor league record of 13-7 with 52 games started and seven complete games (five in 2007). He also has recorded 342 career minor league strikeouts, including 151 in 2006.

The right-hander's best game came last week against the White Sox. He pitched seven innings, striking out nine and allowing only one run on four hits, and walking none. He seems to have the makeup of a big league pitcher, and with those other arms around him, the Twins may be back in the running for that AL Central title sooner than later.

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2007 Playoff Update:

• Sadly, and incredibly, the Mets are NOT the champions of the National League East. The Florida Marlins took care of the Mets on sunday, winning 8-1. Meanwhile, the Nationals could not help the Mets, as they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies 6-1, giving the Phils the NL East crown. About two weeks ago, the Mets had a SEVEN game lead on the Phils, and were the victims of one of the worst collapses in MLB history.


• On Saturday, the Arizona Diamondbacks won the National League West division before they even took the field. Trevor Hoffman and the San Diego Padres blew a lead in the bottom of the ninth against the Milwaukee Brewers, clinching the West for the D'Backs.


• The Chicago Cubs won their first division title since 2003, eliminating the Brewers from postseason play. They will go to the desert and take on the D'Backs in the NLDS. Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will take on incumbent NL Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb in game one of the NLDS on Wednesday.


• The Padres lost again Sunday to the Brewers, and the Colorado Rockies beat the D'backs. Therefore, there will be a 1-game playoff Monday between the Pads and Rocks in Denver to determine the winner of the National League Wild Card. It will be the first time since 1999 a 1-game playoff game had to be played.


• As for the American League: The Boston Red Sox, who won the American League East, will take on the champs of the West, the Angels. The Halos send John Lackey to take on Cy Young candidate Josh Beckett in game one, which will be played in Beantown.
  
• While that is taking place, the AL Central winning Cleveland Indians will take on the Bronx Bombers, who won the AL Wild Card. For the Yanks, Chien-Ming Wang will square up against the big lefty, C.C. Sabathia, in Cleveland.