Horrible loss for Twins

You can't put lipstick on this pig: The Twins' bullpen blew a fine effort by Francisco Liriano to lose at home to the woeful Kansas City Royals.

This one really hurts. Now the team is a game and a half behind the White Sox, with the Sox playing the Jays later tonight.

Liriano's the team's ace, and the Twins have to win his games. The bullpen is as wasted as frat boys at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. They have nothing left.

Let's be unkind and point fingers: Matt Guerrier and Dennys Reyes blew this game.

But where was the hitting? Just two runs against the Royals at the Baggie Dome?

Hometown hero Joe Mauer made the last out. Jason Kubel, Brendan Harris, Nick Punto and Alexi Casilla went hitless.

No, the Twins aren't dead, though they've played some games recently where they didn't show much life. But the White Sox have not been playing well either.

The schedule isn't kind to the Twins. They play 10 games on the road, including four games in Tampa to play the Rays. Then they play the White Sox and Royals at home.

The White Sox have a similarly difficult schedule. They play Toronto tonight at home and three at Cellular Field vs. Detroit, then play at the Yankees, at the Twins and at the Royals before closing with Cleveland at home.

I'd give a slight advantage to the White Sox, but the injuries to Carlos Quentin andPaul Konerko will hurt. Despite that, I think the Sox have slightly better pitching than the Twins -- and certainly a better bullpen.

Still, there's that three-game series Sept. 23-25. If the Twins sweep, watch out.