As the All-Star Break has come and gone, and the Twins record hovers at the line of mediocrity, it’s time to examine what’s happened in the first half, and what needs to change in the second half of the MLB season, for Minnesota to capture another AL Central Title and make a push for a World Championship:

Pre-All Star Game:

The Twins are at only 2 games above .500, but only 2 games back in the Division Standings after taking 2 of 3 games against the White Sox to head into the break, and 2 of 3 from the Texas Rangers coming out.

The year began with a lot of optimism for the season. There was depth, a promising pitching staff, and another year of experience for all the young guys.

The M & M boys were going to carry them (thats Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau all you non-Twin followers). Michael Cuddyer was going to bounce back with a strong season. Delmon Young was going to capitalize on all that potential. Jason Kubel was 100% healthy. Nick Punto was going to finally discover a bat. Carlos Gomez was going to fly around the bases. They signed a big-time (in relavance to Twins spending) free agent in Joe Crede to fill a big hole. Francisco Liriano was ready to dominate again. All the other starting pitchers were going to come into their own after showing flashes all last year. Then Joe Nathan was going to shut the door on anyone who sniffed a 9th inning comeback.

It was all going to be so perfect.

The reality:

The Twins started the season without Mauer for the entire month of April, and the offense was inconsistent as a result. Cuddyer at times has come up big, but has also disappeared for far too long of stretches and swung at far too many slider’s low and away. Young has been frustrating to watch, though he has had a tough year in his personal life. The bat that Punto discovered was busted on the first pitch he saw this year. Joe Crede has been what they hoped for, just not for enough games. Liriano hasn’t yet come close to the improvement he showed at the end of last season and the other starters, besides Nick Blackburn, have been inconsistent.

4 out of 10 of those predictions hasn’t been enough. (M & M boys, Kubel, Nathan)

The middle infield has seen Punto, Brendan Harris, Alexi Casilla, and Matt Tolbert split time between SS and 2B, with Harris the only one showing a pulse at the plate.

The bullpen has, well, been painful in relief, though the starter’s struggles have contributed to this.

And the only other player’s of note are Denard Span continuing to be the leadoff guy the Twins were lacking, and Blackburn’s recent brilliance on the mound.

Keys to a Pennant push:

1. Its the same problem everyone saw at the beginning of the season, the Twins need bullpen help.

Although their have been some recent improvements, the relief staff is still suspect in front of Joe Nathan. Its unlikely that the front office will make a move for any relief help that will make a significant difference, so this change will have to be from within. Whether its Bobby Keppel or Anthony Swarzak, or someone else.

Names of note to pay attention to: Kevin Mulvey, Brian Duensing, Robert Delaney, Yohan Pino, Anthony Slama. They all might get a chance.

2. The Starters need to keep improving.

Namely, Francisco Liriano. If he’s pitching strong he gives the Twins a level of confidence they don’t show for any of the others. Blackburn was the unlikely choice to have a breakout season at the start, but has become the Ace of the Staff to this point. Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins have been dominant at times, but injuries have kept them out of the rotation, and Scott Baker has yet to find his form.

Anthony Swarzak has shown promise, but he’s still just a fill-in at this point, and there is not another guy in the farm system ready to overtake one of the guys in front of him.

As a starting staff, they just need to start stringing together some consistency.

3. The middle-infield needs to hit better.

Harris is the only guy that has been plugged in at SS or 2B that has registered any productivity.

The other 3 guys who have seen time: Punto, Casilla, and Tolbert, have combined to bat .193 with 2 HRs and 35 RBI’s for the season.

Harris, by himself, is batting .283 with 5 HRs and 32 RBI’s.

Even though the Pittsburgh Pirate’s Freddy Sanchez would be a seemingly nice fit, the cost will be too high and is not a good idea when looking long-term. The signing of Mike Grudzielanik is nothing more than adding an ‘available’ band-aid, which won’t be ‘available’ for at least a month.

But this is where the Twins could be able to afford a move that could help now without selling-out the future.

They have middle-infield prospects with some value and secondary pitching talent to compliment any mid-level trade proposal (remember, were only trying to improve on .190).

But then again, nobody is making a push to take over the AL Central Race, so even if they sit on their hands, its going to be a close race.

Let the Pennant Race begin!