The Twins better find a way to beat the Indians or the AL Central ‘s cinderella team will be turned into a pumpkin again this year.The Indians have the Twins number knocking the Twinkies around yesterday 9-3. First Cleveland teed off on Eric Milton, then it was Joe Mays, finally in game three of the series, Rick Reed suffered through five error prone innings, giving up eight runs, two earned.

Danys Baez’ second start was effective and the Indian bull pen came through once again. The pen is clearly capable of carrying the staff and it better because today’s satrter Bartolo Colon is the only one capable of giving the tribe more than seven innings in a start. CC Sabathia may if he keeps his pitch count down.

El Duque gets to work in SkyDome today against Scott Eyre. Eyre’s first game was a disaster. He seems better suited for very long relief. Jason Giambi broke loose with two homers yesterday, but still struck out three times.

You have to be impressed with Paul Byrd’s game for the Royals Wednesday. The righty held Johnny Damon, Nomar, Manny Ramirez, and Tony Clark hitless in Fenway. He is now worth following.

Paul Wilson threw a beauty for Tampa Bay against the punchless O’s. Two excellent starts for wilson who finished very strong in 2001.

Aaron Sele got lit big time by Seattle. When Mr. April can’t win in the first month, if you are an Angel fan, you must be concerned. Maybe he should pitch batting practice against his own team for confidence. The Halos are hitting close to .200 as a team. Erstad, Salmon, and Anderson are all under .200. Not good.

Freddy Garcia against Anaheim today seems like a gimme.

Mark Mulder versus Doug Davis. Both lefties are smart and feature one of the best match ups in the majors today. The Rangers haven’t beaten a lefty yet in 2002 and the A’s were mesmerized by Davis’ 88 MPH stuff last week. Good game.

How about Colby Lewis? The rookie who touched 98 on the gun this spring, held the A’s in check until the Rangers found Olmedo Saenz’ glove. Saenz now has 5 errors at third. The A’s only have 6 errors by the whole team.

Shawn Estes had a 1-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh and promptly walked the first two hitters he faced, an error loaded the bases, Estes was gone and so was the lead. Up to that point Estes had pitched beautifully, only giving up one hit in six inniings of work.

Pittsburgh’s Sean Lowe struck out seven in the eight outs he recorded in relief yesterday. Luis Pineda who has had major control trouble for the Reds struck out three of the four batters, he faced in the same game. Strange things are happening in baseball every day.

John Smoltz blew the save for the Braves, the Phils came back to win with another Pat Burrell walk off homer. Smoltz wiggled out of major trouble earlier in the series, but this time, no dice. Can he last the whole season as a well used closer? This may become a relevant question in July.

Jason Isringhausen pitched two innings in the Cards win over the Brewers last night. With his history of arm tenderness, I am curious to see when he works again. Izzy struck out the side on 10 pitches the night before.

Rick Helling threw well enough for Arizona last night. Maybe it was the TV camera, but his pitches looked awfully slow. I know his velocity is a question, but it looked suspiciously slow.

Bud Smith who throws effective junk goes against the hard throwing Nick Neugebauer for Milwaukee today. Two guys who will be pitching in the NL for a while. Good match up.

Andy Ashby who threw one hit ball against Colorado in his first start in one year goes for LA today. He told me he is healthy. Still, being out there is quite an accomplishment.