Ben Reiter of Sports Illustrated talks Twins, and about Phil Hughes/Ricky Nolasco

Sports Illustrated’s Ben Reiter joined Jeff Thurn on Wednesday’s edition of Overtime.

Reiter discusses why Minnesota's Phil Hughes has seen success in the Twin Cities with a lineup that is not as potent as the New York Yankees?

"New York was a real home run hitters park, and Phil Hughes gave a lot of home runs. I think there is certainly something to that you might call it, but there's a lot else at play here, too. I think the Twins made a investment in player that who has long had the talent, this is a guy who was a top three prospect at one point in his career and in all of baseball. Obviously had his up and downs. He's so young. He's still well-under 30. Has that talent in there, and is figuring out how to display it. One thing he is doing, he is decided he was just going to pitch the way he did when he was a set-up man for the Yankees. Some people might remember many years ago that he made a great team in front of Mariano Rivera. He has a lot of off speed stuff, riding his fastball and a hard slider almost all the time. It's really getting results which means he is hardly walking anyone. Didn't walk anyone again last night in another quality start and he is really showing for the first time in his career that he is the type of pitcher people thought he could be six, seven, eight years ago."

In 14 games started for Minnesota, Hughes is 7-3 with an 3.09 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. He has 78 strikeouts and only eight walks in 90.1 innings pitched.

Thurn asks Reiter if he is surprised by the up and down success of Ricky Nolasco in Minnesota:

"Surprised? No. Nolasco is not a No.1 starter ability, even though the Twins had him in that position. He's a solid member of a staff that could use some innings. So, I think matching up with some No.1's, he's going to struggle and be up and down, but as they build that staff as Kyle Gibson comes into his own and they bring up Alex Meyer. Nolasco will fit in well, more like a No. 4 type of guy."

In 14 games started with the Twins, Nolasco is 4-5 with a 5.66 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. He has 61 strikeouts in 84.1 innings pitched.

Both Hughes and Nolasco were free agent additions for the Twins in the offseason.

To hear more of Reiter’s interview with Thurn, listen below: