Twin Spin.

To be filed under: You Learn Something New Everyday. According to the company's website, Target Corporation opened as Dayton Dry Goods Company in Minneapolis in 1902. It became a full fledged department store nine years later and in 1962 it was renamed Target. They expanded West to Colorado and South to Texas in the late sixties, out to California in the early eighties, and the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast in the late eighties. (It doesn't mention when they opened in New England but as my cousin who lives in Vermont will tell you: there are no Target stores in Vermont.) Who, besides the Minnesotans who terrified poor Justin Masterson last Spring, new?

The Twins, meanwhile, are off to an extremely hot start. They took three out of four from the Angels and two out of three from the White Sox. Carl Pavano (who goes tonight) allowed one run in seven innings in his first start. He didn't walk anybody and he struck out six. Kevin Slowey who pitches Wednesday (after the off day on Tuesday) allowed one run in five and one-third innings. Francisco Liriano is likely to pitch the last game of the series on Thursday. Liriano gave up three runs in six innings last Friday. Luckily for him, he was playing the White Sox and they weren't able to capitalize on the five walks he issued.

Their bullpen has allowed all of three runs in the eighteen and two-thirds of an inning they've pitched. Nearly all of their games have been close and Jon Rauch, acting as their closer, has already collected four saves this season.

They seem to be doing most things right, offensively. J'oh Mauer (I find his accent to be absolutely precious) is not resting on his laurels: he's got three doubles, a home run, and five walks so far. Justin Morneau, J.J. Hardy, and Delmon Young each have a pair of home runs. Nick Punto, Delmon Young, Denard Span, and Michael Cuddyer each have a stolen base. Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel do lead the club with six strike outs each. And J.J. Hardy has grounded into three double plays.

It should be a real test for my boys; while they could hang with the Yankees, they seemed somewhat at a loss against the Royals.