The Minnesota Twins are lucky.

After going just 12-15 in the month of June and 1-3 in July through our nation’s birthday, the Twins sit just 1/2 out of the first place, a spot they became all too comfortable being in.

The surging White Sox, who on June 27 had won 15 of 16 games, cooled off just in time to come up on our heels but not pass us. The Tigers did the Twins favors, too, by slumping through the end of June instead of building a comfortable lead atop the American League Central.

Now the Twins need to count their blessings and make a move for Cliff Lee.

Most of the Twins starting pitching rotation has struggled this season, save Fransisco Liriano and Carl Pavano.

Liriano and Pavano’s sub 3.40 ERAs look sterling compared to Nick Blackburn’s ugly six earned runs a game.

Kevin Slowey’s ERA is a better (4.54) but he has only turned out five quality starts in 16 chances. He’s also only pitched 88 2/3 innings this season, which averages out to 5 1/3 per game.

Lee has done the opposite, throwing four complete games in his past six starts and never fewer than Slowey’s 5 1/3 inning average once this season. In fact, he’s never thrown less than six innings.

In defense of Slowely and Scott Baker, each has had quality starts the last time they took the mound, but the bullpen has begun to falter.

Matt Guerrier, who looked like an All-Star candidate through June, had his ERA jump up almost an entire point after giving up four earned runs via a Tampa Bay grand slam Saturday.

Jose Mijares and Alex Burnett have seen similar results the last time they’ve pitched in relief.

So how do you solve a shaky bullpen?

Pitch a guy who doesn’t need one.

Lee would add a Cy Young arm to the top of the rotation to join already consistent Lirano and Pavano.

Lee would not only help the Twins make the playoffs, but once they get there, he would replace Baker in the playoff rotation.

Teams only need three starting pitchers for a playoff series and having top-notch arms to go along with one of the best lineups in baseball would help Minnesota finally break out of the first round.

Of course, the Twins would only be renting him for half of the season and pay a portion of his nine million dollar salary.

We would also have to give up two ready-to-play prospects, likely Slowey and catcher Wilson Ramos to land him, but by increasing the chances of bringing a World Series trophy back to Minneapolis, it would be worth it.