Rick Anderson has been as surprised as the rest of us. The Twins’ rebuilt starting pitching staff has been a major contributor to the team contending for a second Central Division title in three years.
Anderson, the Twins pitching coach, was asked by Sports Headliners if before the season he foresaw the success of a staff that has mostly consisted of Scott Baker, 26, Nick Blackburn, 26, Kevin Slowey, 24, and Glen Perkins, 23, who collectively had won 21 total games prior to 2008 (17 by Baker). Anderson answered: “If I said yes, I’d be lying, but you know they’re all talented. …”
Earlier this month the Twins added to the starting pitching youth movement, recalling Francisco Liriano, 25, from Triple A Rochester. Gone from a year ago to other teams are starters Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza, with Boof Bonser demoted to the bullpen. None of the new group, except for probably Baker, was counted on as a sure starter prior to the season. But even Baker was worth losing a little sleep over since his record prior to this season with the Twins was 17-20 and in three prior seasons he had split his time between Rochester and Minnesota.
Anderson is impressed that even when his young pitchers have bad outings this season, they come back and pitch better. He said youngsters can press and try too hard when things don’t go well, but his group doesn’t stay down for long.
What does Anderson stress with them? “Everything is a positive,” he said. “You have a rough outing and you talk about went wrong, but you always end on the good things. And the good things, you build them up even higher than they are. But you always stay positive. You never let them get down. You never let them beat themselves up. …”
The starting staff has no playoff experience but could participate in post-season play this year. Anderson said he will stress calmness, and, of course, a positive approach in the playoffs.