I think if we win today we should be fine going to KC. It'll be somewhat like a home game with a lot of Twins fans making the trip. Plus I'm confident that Liriano will be strong again.

You got a four-run lead now.

Nick really needs to deliver today because the pen is taxed.

He has to show up today for the Twins to win this game.

If this team loses today, I think this team is not winning a game in the road trip, and this is probably the end for this team. This game is a must-win today. I don't want anyone poo-pooing this game.

I think Reyes and Nathan are really the only guys that can pitch today. Guerrier should be given the week off to get things going. He has been horrid.

TT: The Astros beat the Twins to the punch to get Latroy. I am no Latroy fan, but the Twins need to someone in relief badly. Brian Bass is finished. Gardenhire does not trust Breslow. Boof Bonser needs to go away. Right now, the Twins need to call up couple of relievers from Rochester and see if they can stick. I think it's time to use Humber and Oswaldo Sosa and see what they can do. They need to try something. You can't keep using Guerrier and Crain everyday.

Blackburn better not come up lame today.

He needs to show that he can deliver down the stretch.

They are going to need him.

Jeff Karstens of the Pirates has a perfect game through seven. He went there from the Nady trade didn't he?

This double play was huge.

You don't want to give Seattle any momentum. They already have enough confidence as it is.

What bugs me about the Hakins thing is that they say the player that the Astros gave up is a single-A guy that won't ever likely get above AA. We could have done that at least...

Always nice to put a zero in the board after you get a four-run lead.

After two, 4-0, Twins.

TT: I wouldn't take the Royals lightly. I wouldn't take anyone lightly at this time of the year. The Twins have played tight at times this season. At this time of the year, teams that are dead tend to play better in a pennant race. Plus, KC hasn't been bad all season. They took couple of series from the Bitch Sox, and they won Monday night against the defending champs. The talent is there for the Royals.

Washburn retires the side.

Nick is back to work.

That was quick.

I'm not taking them lightly after what they did the Chicago last weekend and the fact that the Twins will be on the road. But, I think it'll be easier than playing on the West Coast and I think there will be a lot of Twins fans there.

Twins better find a way to get it done out in the West Coast. Championship teams know how to get it done. It won't be easy. I have to admit I am so concerned about this team. The relief has been horrible, and this is a road trip where they don't have days off. MLB did not do the Twins any favors here, and it does not help that the Republican National Convention is in your backyard, TT.

The 14-game roadtrip on the West to end the month will be key. They play Seattle and Oakland a lot and need to take advantage next time.

I hate Raul Ibanez.

Seattle is fortunate that he was not traded.

He can play.