Minnesota Twins 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Minnesota Twins 2009 MLB Record: 86-76
Minnesota Twins 2009 MLB Home Record: 48-33
Minnesota Twins 2009 MLB Away Record: 38-43

Minnesota Twins 2010 Betting

Minnesota Twins Odds to Win the American League: 9/1
Minnesota Twins Odds to Win the World Series: 20/1

Minnesota Twins 2010 Preview & Prediction

For all its flaws as a baseball venue, the Metrodome was the Twins’ horne for 28 years and remains the setting of their only two World Series titles, in 1987 and 1991. This year, they’ll open Target Field amid considerable excitement in Minnesota, yet understandable doubt about their abilities to reach such heights again. The Twins have five division titles over the past eight years but have teased their fans by going 6-18 in the postseason. With the intimate new ballpark in downtown Minneapolis and popular stars such as 2006 MVP Justin Morneau and 2009 MVP Joe Mauer, these are heady times for a franchise entering its 50th season in Minnesota. But how long will the good feelings last if the Twins keep corning up short in October? Eighteen teams have reached the World Series since the Twins’ last trip in 1991. Now the roof is gone, along with one of the most noted horne-field advantages in sports.

On paper, this year’s team looks more imposing than the one that closed the 2009 regular season with a 17-4 flourish before its quick playoff exit against the Yankees. The payroll is up, but the Twins still have little margin for error, competing in the rough-and-tumble American League. To return to the top, they’ll need success in every facet of the game.

The Twins should be a good offensive team again with a defense that’s at least average. The key will be the starting pitching. Though it’s not the type of starting staff that looks imposing for a playoff series, there is enough depth to make another strong push in the AL Central. A big key will be how quickly the Twins establish a home-field edge at Target Field. The Metrodome used to intimidate visiting teams because of its quirks. Now it could be up to the Minnesota weather.

Minnesota Twins Manager: Ron Gardenhire (8 Seasons) Record: 708 – 588

Minnesota Twins 2010 Projected Batting Order: CF Denard Span (L), SS J.J. Hardy (R), C Joe Mauer (L), 1B Justin Morneau (L), DH Jason Kubel (L), RF Michael Cuddyer (R), LF Delmon Young (R), 3B Brendan Harris (R), 2B Nick Punto (S)

Minnesota Twins 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Scott Baker, RH Carl Pavano, RH Kevin Slowey, RH Nick Blackburn, LH Francisco Liriano

Minnesota Twins 2010 Projected Closer: RH Joe Nathan

2010 Minnesota Twins Rotation:

Looking around the AL Central, the Twins’ starting pitching looks unimposing. The White Sox have Jake Peavy and Mark Buehrle. The Tigers have Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello. The Twins have quality depth, which helps over a long season, but no true ace. After being handed a four-year, $15.25 million deal last spring, Scott Baker went 2-6 with a 6.32 ERA through May before going 13-3 with a 3.67 ERA the rest of the way. The Twins are excited to have Kevin Slowey back from wrist surgery, as he was 10-3 with a 4.86 ERA before going under the knife. Nick Blackburn is coming off two workhorse seasons, and the Twins were able to retain free agent Carl Pavano when he accepted arbitration. Since Francisco Liriano took a big step back last year, looking further removed from his dominant 2006 form, the Twins are lucky to have a plethora of alternates for the fifth starter’s spot, including Brian Duensing, who went 5-1 with a 2.73 ERA in nine starts last season.

2009-2010 Minnesota Twins Bullpen:

Joe Nathan has been one of baseball’s top closers over six seasons in Minnesota, but he faced heavy criticism over his blown save in Game 2 of the Division Series against the Yankees. Nathan gave up a two-run, game-tying horne run to Alex Rodriguez in the ninth inning, and the Yankees won it in the 11th, en route to a sweep. Nathan later had bone spurs removed from his right elbow, and though he refused to make excuses, it’ll be interesting to see if he remains an elite talent after turning 35 in November. The Twins shored up their late-inning relief in August by trading for right hander Jon Rauch. Along with Matt Guerrier and left hander Jose Mijares, this group is pretty solid, and it’ll get a boost with the return of Pat Neshek, who missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

2010 Minnesota Twins Middle Infield:

The Twins gave their fan base a jolt shortly after the World Series when they traded center fielder Carlos Gomez to the Brewers for shortstop J.J. Hardy. Though Hardy is coming off a horrendous season, the Twins believe the change of scenery will help him return to form. Hardy, 27, replaces free agent Orlando Cabrera, who gave the Twins a nice boost at shortstop after arriving from Oakland in a July 31 trade. Nick Punto, last year’s Opening Day shortstop, entrenched himself at second base after Cabrera’s arrival, and he’s versatile enough to play third base, too.

2010 Minnesota Twins Corners:

One remarkable aspect of the Twins’ late-season charge is the fact that they did it without either of their original corner infielders. Morneau was lost for the season in September with a stress fracture in his lower back, forcing right fielder Michael Cuddyer to first base. And third baseman Joe Crede needed lower-back surgery for the third time in three years. Morneau should return strong, but the key now is keeping him healthy for a full season. He faded over the final 15 games of the 2008 season, possibly costing him a second MVP award, and he batted .100 (7-of-70) while playing through pain over his final 20 games of 2009. While Morneau insists on staying in the lineup, manager Ron Gardenhire needs to get him rest.

2010 Minnesota Twins Outfield:

Besides addressing the Twins’ shortstop need, the Hardy trade uncluttered their outfield. By sending Gomez to Milwaukee, it assured Delmon Young of more consistent playing time in left field. Both of Young’s seasons in Minnesota have started slowly, but he batted .300 with nine home runs after the All-Star break last season. With Gomez gone, Denard Span can anchor himself in center field, his natural position, after spending the past two seasons as an outfield rover. Span has emerged a terrific leadoff man. He finished ninth in the Ai in batting last year at .311 and tied for first with 10 triples. Cuddyer, who set a new career-high last year with 32 home runs, returns to right field, and Jason Kubel can play either corner on days when he isn’t the DH.

2010 Minnesota Twins Catching:

As good as Mauer was in 2009, when he won his first MVP award, imagine what he might do coming off a normal off season. Two winters ago, Mauer had surgery to remove a kidney obstruction. With his lower-back pain lingering, he didn’t even practice with the Twins during spring training. He returned May 1, homering in his first at-bat, and quickly made up for lost time. He became the first player to lead the Ai in batting average (.365), on-base percentage (.444) and slugging percentage (.587) in the same season since George Brett in 1980. Mauer was hobbled with a hip flexor injury during the 2009 postseason, raising new concerns, but by November he said he’d received a clean bill of health and was eager to resume his workouts. Another monster season can be expected.

2010 Minnesota Twins Bench:

Kubel had a breakout season last year, batting .300 with 28 home runs and 103 RBI’s while ranking eighth in the Ai with a .539 slugging percentage. Another advantage to the Hardy/Gomez trade is that it should create more opportunities for Kubel to play left and right field. He won’t turn 28 until May, and he feels too young to be a full-time DH. The Twins’ bench options are often thin, but they’ve been able to find some unlikely solutions when injuries arise. Another example came last year, when speedy utility man Matt Tolbert stepped up to play the season’s final 20 games at third base in the heat of the pennant race.

Minnesota Twins 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Minnesota Twins will finish 1st in the AL Central Division.

Minnesota Twins 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 1st AL Central 87
2008: 2nd AL Central 88
2007: 3rd AL Central 79
2006: 1st AL Central 96
2005: 3rd AL Central 83

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