Two of the surprise teams get together to begin a series today with the Rockies at the Twins. Both are leading their respective divisions.

I believe the Rockies are the superior team. Minnesota is due for regression and I'm not a fan of Twins starter Phil Hughes, who takes the mound today. Hughes has a lifetime 4.43 ERA.It was 5.95 last season. His ERA is 4.74 this season. I regard him as one of the least effective starters in the majors.

I'm much more intrigued by 24-year-old rookie Kyle Freeland, who starts for Colorado today. He's the Rockies' best starting pitcher in my view with Jon Gray sidelined. Freeland had a bad inning against the world champion Cubs in his last start. Prior to that, though, Freeland had allowed just two earned runs in his three previous starts spanning 19 1/3 innings. Colorado is 4-1 in his last five starts.

The Rockies have been dynamite on the road going 11-5. Minnesota has a losing home record this season. Going back to last season, the Twins have dropped nine of their last 13 at Target Field.

Colorado has the superior bullpen - no closer has been better than Greg Holland - and is a perfect 9-0 in one-run games. The Rockies' ability to win close games is proof to me that they are real this season compared to past years when they couldn't win narrow outcomes.