Francisco Liriano

ree series with the Mariners, and several against the Royals, Indians, Orioles and Athletics.  Francisco Liriano, who was finally recalled from triple-A this weekend, pitched six scoreless innings for the victory yesterday and looked much like he did in 2006 when he went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA.

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ng this same pack of teams, and three of those twenty-one are against the Twins. 

Callin up Francisco Liriano, who has been torching AAA and who won the game today, is akin to a trade for Minnesota, and should bolster an already strong rotation. Scott Baker has only given up more than three runs twice in his last ten starts, as has Nick Blackburn (giving up one or no runs in four of the other seven starts). Their defense is as solid as their offense, and they just seem to hang in there. Their team batting average of .277 is fourth overall (and third in the AL) while their strikeout total is fourth lowest in the AL.

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p; Minnesota is looking to move a starting pitcher in any potential deal, in order to make room for Francisco Liriano, who is healthy at long last, and tearing up Triple-A.  The Yankees have been beleaguered by a plethora of injuries, and are in the market for an outfield bat, a starting pitcher and a left-handed reliever.  It is doubtful that they will trade Ian Kennedy or Phil Hughes in any potential deal, considering they chose not to move either young arm in return for Johan Santana in the winter.

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e workload early in their careers suffer an injury or have markedly higher ERAs the following year, Francisco Liriano being a recent notable example. Carmona certainly looked like he was running out of gas against the Red Sox in the ALCS and you have to wonder if that might be a sign of things to come this season. Justin Verlander had an excellent season last year following the 2006 season when he pitched in the World Series and had a similar dramatic increase in innings pitched, however he is the exception to the rule. Given history, I would be hesitant to count on Carmona to repeat his success of last year.

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FLOPSChone FigginsJack CustCarlos Pena

COMEBACK SPECIAL

After a horrible ending to last season, Francisco Liriano will compete for the Cy Young Award.

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