Call me giddy because of possible 50 degree temps later in the week, but there is a dugout full of reasons to be optimistic about the Twins’ season that opens on Friday in Toronto. Let’s not suggest the Twins will—gulp—beat the Yankees or Red Sox in the playoffs but this team can win 90 games or more and wear another Central Division crown.
Here’s why:
This is a not too young, not too old team. Key players are mostly between 25 and 30, guys with experience but years away from retiring.
The mix of talents looks promising with at least okay pitching, strong defense and outstanding run production.
The Twins are built for success in their home run unfriendly ballpark. A perhaps mediocre pitching staff benefits from the dead air and deep fences of Target Field. Speedsters Denard Span, Alexi Casilla and Tsuyoshi Nishioka can steal hits from opponents when not swiping bases themselves. Joe Mauer and other Twins hitters can hit the ball into the outfield gaps, if not over the fence at Target Field where Minnesota had the best home record in the American League last year.
Nishioka’s bat control is a nice addition to the No. 2 spot in the batting order. His nifty bunting will advance runners for Mauer and Justin Morneau.
Unlike last spring when fans were in a panic over Joe Nathan’s impending Tommy John surgery, the ballclub got through spring training with no major injuries.
Count pitchers Francisco Liriano and Brian Duensing and outfielders Delmon Young and Span among Twins who could have career years, boosting the team’s chances for success.
The Twins will have seven off days during September to stay fresh late in the season.