2007 Minnesota Twins Preview
With only 84.5 wins for the oddsmakers’ 2007 Minnesota Twins predictions we are recommending a play on the OVER. This team is never really expected to do much overall and then somehow grinds their way into contention year after year, frequently pulling home the division crown. With the competition catching up in the touch Central division, it’s hard to say for sure what is going to happen with the Twins this year, but we like to play recent history and that suggests take them to exceed expectations. Bet on sports using your checking account!
How great could this team have been with Francisco Liriano? They already have the best young pitching in the game with Johan Santana who only went 19-6 last year with a 2.77 ERA and 245 K’s in 233 innings of work. The sad thing is that Liriano was better than Santana while both of them were in the rotation. However, Minnesota is going to have to make due with him on the sidelines this year. Instead they are going to have Boof Bonser lining up behind Santana and Bonser was 7-6 with a 4.22 ERA last year. Carlos Silva isn’t a bad three starter, but last season he struggled to an 11-15 record and 5.94 ERA. It seemed like everyone could get a hit off of him last year, but we expect him to return to form of 2005-2006 when he went 23-16 with a 3.80 ERA. Matt Garza and Glen Perkins finish out the rotation and their inexperience will most likely show early and often. There is talent here but not a lot of innings logged so it will be tough to tell how the team’s rotation will pan out. Brad Radke’s retirement is sure to be felt.
The bullpen should be in fine hands. Especially with Joe Nathan closing and Rincon getting the ball in his hands. These two are quality guys who will get outs and help finish teams off.
Big names line the batting order. Joe Mauer is the best catcher right now in the league, finishing last season with a .347 batting average and 84 RBIs, not too shabby for a 23 year old. Justin Morneau put up monster numbers last year with a .321 average, 34 Home Runs, and 130 RBIs. Expect more of the same out of these two this year as they will lead the team all season long. Torii Hunter is one of the most under appreciated outfielders, not for his defense which is known for, but offensively the guy put up 31 home runs and 98 RBIs last year. The team isn’t that deep with Rondell White in left and Cuddyer in right. The infield has Punto at third base, Bartlett at short, and Luis Castillo at second. Castillo can steal bases and set the table for the big hitters that follow.
There is a lot of people who are going to count out the Twins this season. We are certainly not going to be in that crowd. This young group of hitters are quite gifted and will be able to pick up the inexperience in the rotation at the beginning of the year.
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