We just can&8217;t help but notice the strong performances of the Minnesota Twins lately. Could it be the team plans to make another dash toward the division title and a playoff berth?

OK, OK, perhaps its too early to think that. We don&8217;t want to count our chickens before they hatch. But we can always hope, right?

Justin Morneau homered last night to drive in four runs as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Chicago White Sox 9-2. It was the third straight win for the Twins.

Michael Cuddyer and Luis Castillo each had three hits. Pitcher Boof Bonser has come on strong this year. He&8217;s a welcome No. 2 behind the team&8217;s No. 1 pitcher, Johan Santana. Bonser received a standing ovation in the sixth inning last night when he left the mound. He&8217;s won four games in a row. If Bonser keeps it up, the Twins might have the pitching needed to go further in the playoffs than the lousy three-losses-and-out performance of 2006.

Keep an eye on this team. Last year, the Twins surprised the division to take the title from the White Sox at the very end of the season. This year, they are 5 1/2 games behind, sitting in fourth place. But the standings don&8217;t indicate the quality of these players.

It&8217;s still early in the season, and June is when the good teams separate from the mediocre ones. We&8217;re thinking the Minnesota Twins will be in the running.