The Twins struggled through the first week of the season on their way to a 3-4 start. All four losses came in games in which the Twins offense put up 0 or 1 runs, so clearly the offense needs to step things up and show a bit more consistency.

Carlos Gomez, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede each averaged more than a strikeout per game, with the team totaling 50 on the week-- about a 20% increase over their strikeout rate from 2008.

Pitching wasn't much better. Glen Perkins turned in a gem in Thursday's loss, allowing just 1 run in 8 innings. However, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey and R.A. Dickey all looked less than sharp in their outings. With Scott Baker returning on Wednesday, hopefully he and the rest of the rotation can put together some better starts.

Matt Guerrier led the bullpen with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, and Jesse Crain also pitched well, allowing just a run in 2 2/3. Phillip Humber, facing a now or never situation this season, got roughed up for 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning in Chicago. Joe Nathan picked up his first and only save of the season, and then had to be brought in on Sunday in a no-save situation just to get some work in.

Looking ahead

The Twins will be fortunate to miss Roy Halladay in Toronto Blue Jay's rotation this week, but they have their work cut out for them against a Toronto team that's gotten off to a 5-2 start against the AL Central.

It won't get much easier after that with the Twins hosting the Los Angeles Angels and then heading to Boston for a short 2-game series.