Minnesota Twins Just Two Back of First Place Royals
At the beginning of the season, the Minnesota Twins just played downright awful baseball. That in itself was not a surprise as most picked the Twins to finish well down the standings in the American League Central. Most win totals on futures boards online and in Vegas had the Twins winning between 65 and 70 games this season.
One odds maker said the Twins have an offense, but the rotation is shaky and the defense in the outfield suspect.
After starting their season 5-9, most began to ignore them as they were headed exactly where predicted.
However, after nearly two months of the season and just over a quarter of the way, the Twins are 26-18 and have gone 21-9 over their past 30 games. They are in front of the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and just two games behind the first place Kansas City Royals
The Twins defeated the Red Sox on Monday night 7-2 and have won seven of their last nine series. Since April 22, the Twins are averaging 5.3 runs a game, which is the best in baseball and are giving up 3.8 runs a game, which is ninth in the MLB and fourth in the American League.
They started terrible and then played awesome, so are they a contender or a pretender.
Last season the Twins lost 92 games and were in fifth place in the AL in runs scored due to having very little power. They are hitting at the same clip as last season and their walk ratio is even down.
However, the Twins have hit in clutch moments with runs on base and in scoring position with a .294 average in that department.
The defense in the outfield has played better than expected. Minnesota was minus-4 on Defensive Runs Saved, which is No. 18 in all of baseball. Not the greatest but last season they were minus-50 and last in the majors.
Overall, the Twins are not a strong defensive team in the ratings, unlike both the Tigers and Royals, who are in the top 10. However, they are making big plays on defense during clutch moments.
The pitching staff has the lowest strikeout rate in baseball, so more balls get into play making it easier to see why more errors could be committed.
However, they have the lowest walk ratio in the majors. On Monday starter Ricky Nolasco and two other relievers pitched a no-walk game.
The bullpen has held leads but has an ERA of 3.97. It is No. 21 in the majors. Glen Perkins has saved 16 of 16 save opportunities and the Twins are 24-1 when ahead starting the eighth inning.
They are not the best, but the Twins are CLUTCH and that is winning games thus far.
