Twins Preview

Yes I realize we are already 3 games into the season, I was busy the last few days, perhaps you didn't realize it was WRESTLEMANIA WEEK. Seriously though, it was.

Twins Twins Twins. I love the Twins, let's get that straight first of all. I feel like I may make some comments that may make that appear untrue, but I assure you, I love the Twins.

Infield...... SKETCHY.

Alexi Casilla

Justin Morneau

Danny Valencia

Matt Tolbert

T-Nish

I like one player in our infield. That player is Danny Valencia. Alexi Casilla shouldn't be a starting shortstop, Tolbert I'm just not a huge fan of, and Morneau cannot stay healthy. I love Morneau when he is healthy, but it isn't helping out depth knowing that he will miss significant time. T-Nish is TBD. I personally am not a huge fan. More often than not players come over to the MLB from overseas and are not very good. Maybe he will make me look bad, I hope he does, but my guess is that he isn't starting at second or anywhere come August/September.

Catcher - Solid - Not much to say here. I think Mauer will be rock solid again this year.

Outfield - Like -

Delmon Young

Cuddy

Kubel

Span

Repko

I like our outfield. I think Delmon will have another great year. .300 25+ and 110+ You heard it here first. Cuddy should be fine if he can stay healthy, Kubel will slide, and Span will have a much better year than last years disaster. I loved Repko last year and I hope we get to see him more this year.

Defensively I'm not really sure how I feel. I feel like we are an average defensive team I guess. I think they are capable of playing above average but that doesn't mean they will.

Offensively I think they are above average and capable or being elite. If Span and T-Nish can get on base for the 3-6 hitters I really like our lineup. Not to mention you have Valencia hiding a little further down. The Twins are capable of scoring 4-5 runs a night, hopefully they start doing that.

Pitching - This would be the main problem with this team. There are questions EVERYWHERE in terms of pitching. Starters - questionably. Relievers - questionable. Closers - questionable. Somehow they need to figure it out. Have an Ace emerge, someone like Liriano. Someone who can bring the nasty. Probably not Baker because he just gave up a moonshot to A-rod. Relievers, well lets just say I'm ready for the roller coaster ride. Closers, I'm not a fan of either, but I'd prefer Capps.

In order to win I think they need the pitching to come together, some leaders to step up offensively, and Joe Mauer to show some emotions. He is the poster boy of this team and he needs to start acting like it. I'm sick of the hometown boy gig, lets get mad, hell, yell at someone. Just do something to show me you care about winning and aren't just content with 184 million dollars.

Overall I think the Twins will sneak out the Central. I think it will be by a game. Don't expect too much too early in the season though. If they can manage to play .500 baseball through April and May you should be happy. The schedule then gets easier and the Twins should start rolling.

I'm not making any postseason predictions. This team looks like it could build itself into a contender, but we'll see what they make of themselves.

If I had to guess, I'll say we lose to the Yankees in the first round. IALTO.