The complete pitching rotation for the five game playoff series is to be determined. Johan Santana will pitch game one and if there is a game five he will draw that assignment, too. For certain the Twins will be characterized by playoff inexperience since eight pitchers are making their first playoff appearances. Possible starters could include the previously mentioned young rookies, Bonser and Garza.
Pitching coach Rick Anderson expressed appreciation for having Santana, a leading Cy Young candidate with a record of 19-7 and a 2.77 ERA.
“It’s nice to probably have the best pitcher in the American league leading you off,” he said. “Let the kids who will follow him sit and watch a game and get that nervousness out before they have to run out there.”
Anderson counsels more with this pitching staff because of its inexperience than others he has had. His mantra: “Always stay positive.” He tries to find the silver lining even in a poor performance. He will tell a pitcher, “When you did this it was outstanding and that’s what we’re going to work on.”
Anderson is determined to build confidence in his staff. “Never let them drag their heads,” he said. “Try to keep them upbeat.”
The Twins bullpen, arguably the best in baseball, and a rebuilt starting staff have provided pleasant surprises for Anderson and others. “Oh, my! This is probably the most rewarding (experience as the Twins pitching coach). This is (my) fourth time to the playoffs. All the other times we had some veterans to run out there. …But this one here you are running these kids out there and they are answering the bell. It’s a wonderful thing to see how these kids respond to it.”
Anderson is hoping for similar results in the playoffs to the success of the regular season with his staff (second best staff ERA in the American League). “When you get to the playoffs (you) need to keep it loose and easy, and don’t let them get too uptight and start thinking about it,” he said. “Just go out and keep doing what you have been doing.”