Zebby Matthews

After three straight scoreless starts to begin the spring, Abel gave up a two-run homer to the second batter he faced today. He was fine after that, though his 19% CSW wasn't very good. He's likely currently ahead of Zebby Matthews in line for the fifth spot in Minnesota's rotation, especially if the Twins are focusing on ERA. Matthews' is 10.50 ERA right now, even though his FIP is 2.96.

Bradley was roughed up by the Red Sox in his second spring outing, but he's been excellent in the last two to drag his ERA down to 4.50. He's struck out 19 and walked five in 14 innings. Bradley became the clear favorite to serve as the Twins' fourth starter after Pablo Lopez went down, and it doesn't look like he's going to throw it away. That would leave one rotation spot for Mick Abel and Zebby Matthews.

That hurts. All of the runs scored in the first. Matthews retired two of the first three batters in the inning, but he was pulled after allowing four singles and two walks and all three inherited runners scored after he left. Matthews did well after that, retiring nine of 11 batters from the second through the fourth. He gave up just three hard-hit balls in the contest. Matthews' velocity today was down about one mph from his previous official spring start, so he might be in something of a dead-arm phase. He's in quite a fight for a rotation spot now that Mick Abel is off to such a strong start. The Twins could keep both, but that would mean sending Taj Bradley to the pen or the minors.

First Pitch (CT): 12:05TV: MLB.TV/ATL Video (via Braves)Radio: Braves ESPN 103.7/WIFN 1340Know Yo Foe: Battery Power What to watch: Zebby Matthews is on the mound in his fight to keep the 5th rotation spot. Mick Abel has had a flawless Spring, but it s Zebby s spot to lose. Lineups

Matthews allowed three hits, walked one and struck out three. Mick Abel's strong start has added a little more pressure for Matthews as he attempts to secure a rotation spot, but there might be room for both if Taj Bradley proves ineffective. Matthews feels like the Twins' No. 2 starter for fantasy purposes, though he might not fare as well in ERA as he does in WHIP and strikeouts.