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After failing to score a run on Thursday afternoon, the Twins bats came alive on a cold Friday evening in Chicago. Neither starter was great. R.A. Dickey and Jose Contreras lasted just five innings, but Dickey was just a little bit less hittable and was credited with the win. The Twins' record improved to 3-2, enough for first place in the division.

The Twins scattered single runs through 4 of the first 5 innings as Chicago tried to keep pace. Things got out of hand for the Sox in the seventh inning when the Twins posted 7 runs, more than they had scored in any of the previous 4 games. Justin Morneau led off the inning with his second home run of the season. Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer and Joe Crede were all then walked. Singles by Jose Morales, Nick Punto, Denard Span and Alexi Casilla helped provide the scoring, and then Justin Morneau added his second RBI of the inning with a sac fly.

As expected, tonight's game in Chicago has been rained out. It actually works in the Twins favor as it will buy them a little bit of time in deciding who will fill Kevin Slowey's spot in the rotation, if he can't be ready himself.

The season has technically started, but I think it's still early enough to fairly submit my predictions. Feel free to add yours to the comments.

The Twins completed their first sweep since April 17-19 on Wednesday afternoon at the dome as they defeated the White Sox in walk-off fashion. After the White Sox got to Scott Baker early is looked like a probable loss, but the Twins were able to claw back and tie the game by the sixth inning and the bullpen completely shut down the Sox bats.

Tonight's game in Chicago has been postponed due to "cold and blustery" weather. Game time temperatures would have been in the 30s with fairly strong winds, so I can't blame them. Tomorrow and Sunday's forcasts don't look a whole lot better (upper 30's), so it's hard to say if they'll tough it out or not.

What's most surprising about the Twins being in the playoff hunt after their slumpy start? Is it how well the Twins have played or is it how poorly Chicago and Detroit have played?

With a four gamea lead over the White Sox and just 13 games remaining in the season, the Twins playoff hopes are as good as they've been all year. The Star Tribune accurately reported That if the Twins finish the season just 7-6 the White Sox would need to go 12-1 to overtake the Twins. Considering that 7 of the Twins remaining games are against Baltimore and Kansas City, the Twins hopes look even better. However, it's much too early to be satisfied.

The Twins got off to a slow start on Monday night in Chicago. Despite having baserunners in scoring position in the 3rd and 4th innings, Javier Vasquez managed to hold the Twins scoreless through five innings. In the meantime Brad Radke had given up a homerun in each of the 4th and 5th innings. However, they were both solo homers, so the damage was minimal. The Twins matched the White Sox in power on Monday night; the difference was the Twins had more baserunners on when the balls left the park.

The Twins have roled off 7 straight victories and improved to .500 for the first time since April. Due to the success, some fans are surely starting to dream of a playoff run. I decided to give a look at just how realistic the thought of the Twins making the playoffs would be. Obviously what's going to make it tough is the two teams that are ahead of the Twins, Detroit and Chicago. Both continue to win game after game, so all the Twins have been able to do is try not to lose more ground.

On a rare night of great pitching, the Twins still couldn't come up with a win. Last weekend I was starting to think the Twins might have turned a corner, but they now find themselves in another 4 game slide and it's becoming crystal clear that this team simply can't contend with Chicago and Detroit. In one week two fifths of our rotation has changed and 1/3 of our lineup should change as well.