The Twins knocked off the Baltimore Orioles in an Easter Sunday match up today 3-1. Francisco Liriano assured himself one more chance this upcoming Friday to secure his opening day roster spot. Meanwhile, some players had their final shot to impress the coaches with most final cuts expected tomorrow.

** Liriano needed to pitched near 70 pitches today and needed to pitch solid as well. He did both, and if all goes well for him on Friday, Liriano could find himself pitching in the opening series at the Metrodome. In his outing, Liriano went four innings and allowed no hits and two walks. He also struck out five in his solid outing.

** After Liriano, Philip Humber pitched two more solid innings. While it doesn’t look like he’ll be given the final bullpen spot, if Liriano or Baker aren’t ready, Humber is the likely candidate to fill in. In his two innings of work, Humber allowed just one hit and no runs. So far this spring, Humber has a solid 1.29 ERA.

** The final three innings went to Joe Nathan, Juan Rincon and Pat Neshek. Nathan and Neshek had solid outings yet again, with neither allowing a hit or run. Rincon allowed three hits and one run in his one inning of work.

** Centerfield watch: Denard Span was the only person to play center and went 0-4 with a walk in his five plate appearances. He is now batting below Gomez with a .282 mark this spring. As we’ll mention shortly, this game could be Span’s last with the big-league club.

** Jason Pridie and Mike Lamb were the two big hitters for the Twins. Both collected multiple hits with Pridie going 2-4 and Lamb 2-3.

** Craig Monroe collected the team’s one other hit on a sharp single to left.

** Ron Gardenhire said today that the team has moved up the previous deadline of Tuesday to make final cuts up to tomorrow. The roster will not be totally completed because they will keep starters in camp with the status of Liriano and Baker still uncertain. However, the team is expected to make decisions on the bench spot, the bullpen spot, second base and according to reports, centerfield. The rotation won’t be settled until after Baker pitches Wednesday (and if all goes well, Sunday) and Liriano on Friday.

** Here is the news on Scott Baker that I posted earlier: Scott Baker pitched 33 pitches in a minor league game yesterday before the game was rained out. Baker got to the 60-pitch mark with a 'pen session afterwards. Baker is now scheduled to pitch again on Wednesday (75 pitches), and if all goes well he'll stay in Fort Myers after the Twins leave Saturday to pitch in a minor league game on Sunday (90 pitches).

If everything goes according to plan, Baker will then head north after his start on Sunday and will pitch in the team's fifth game of the season.

** As for Liriano, his outing today of nearly 70 pitches showed the team that he is ready to at least get another shot at advancing further on Friday. If Liriano gets through five or six innings and more so somewhere around 90 pitches with decently good stats, Liriano should be able to skip extended spring training and head north.

** Joe Nathan’s agent left for the day Sunday, but according to reports, will return to Fort Myers tomorrow morning to finalize the four-year deal.

** And finally, the Twins will indeed make cuts tomorrow, but here are some early notes about what is likely to happen: Brian Bass is thought to be the team’s decision for the bullpen spot. We aren’t totally sure, but that is the rumor. Bass by the way will start tomorrow’s game so that could be his chance to lock it up. Matt Tolbert is thought to be the leading guy for the bench spot. The team has been impressed and he is learning to play in the outfield according to Gardenhire. Finally, expect Harris to be the second basemen and make sure to check all day to see who the 2008 centerfielder will be.