Twins (48%)

Why it will be them: Because the AL Central is relatively weak – the Guardians are more good than great – and because the Twins made moves this winter to improve their defense, depth and rotation, which could be sneaky good if Pablo López (sweeper) and Joe Ryan (sweeper, splitter) use their new pitches to really take off.

Don’t forget, the Twins did spend 41 more days in first than Cleveland did last year, until they were torpedoed by bullpen and injury woes; no AL team had more injury days missed than Minnesota. Throw in promising reports on swing changes by Joey Gallo and Carlos Correa, the return of Kenta Maeda, and the elite relief of Jhoan Duran, and it’s not that hard to see this team going from 78-84 to October.

Why it won’t: Because they don’t have a true ace and Byron Buxton hasn’t played in 100 games since 2017.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/losing-teams-from-2022-that-could-make-playoffs

Edited March 17, 20233 yr by caulfield12

If we’re to believe the Sox, Guardians, and Twins are a 3-horse race, there is only one head-to-head in April.

Sox at Twins April 10-12 

Just don't get buried in April/May.

Sox fans historically wait until midseason to join the bandwagon in terms of attendance.

Bieber, Quantrill, Civale and Plesac are the usual names remaining for CLE.

McKenzie's their 1A.

 

https://www.coveringthecorner.com/2023/2/7/23576200/guardians-spring-training-battles-fifth-starter

Pilkington and Touissant are memorable names.  About 6-7 more internal candidates for either starter, including X.Curry and Eli Captain Morgan.

Have a wealth of high minors pitching riches as a Top 5 MLB system.

 

Edited March 28, 20233 yr by caulfield12

 

16 hours ago, Tnetennba said:

 

How can they possibly afford two $100+ million deals without any RSN money incoming?

What next, Bieber and Rosario staying?

McKenzie and Clase?

Kwan?

https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2023/03/guardians-reportedly-sign-2b-andres-gimenez-to-seven-year-106-million-contract-extension.html

Gimenez deal could reach as much as $130.5 million...

 

 

 

Really dislike generic nature of Twins' new road uniforms and the simplistic M on their batting helmets.

I know I know supposed to conjure up the mystical 1950 and 60s Killebrew Oliva Carew look.

Edited March 30, 20233 yr by caulfield12

Bieber and Castillo putting up zeros in Seattle. 6th inn

7 minutes ago, flavum said:

Bieber and Castillo putting up zeros in Seattle. 6th inn

I love that it's 11:30ish on the east coast and the game is in the 7th. Pitching clock is a godsend.

Oh man did Matt Brash make Jose Ramirez look silly with that breaking ball.

Edited March 31, 20233 yr by DirtySox

6 minutes ago, DirtySox said:

Oh man did Matt Brash make Jose Ramirez look silly with that breaking ball.

 

 

Edited March 31, 20233 yr by DirtySox

Hahaha. Suck it Tribe. Mariners take a 3-0 lead and still batting in the 8th.

41 minutes ago, chitownsportsfan said:

Hahaha. Suck it Tribe. Mariners take a 3-0 lead and still batting in the 8th.

Seattle owns them. 

Karinchak also blew the game for them so that makes it even better. 

Edited March 31, 20233 yr by chw42

But what did Kelenic do?

Gaddis starts Game #2 in McKenzie’s spot.

AL Central scored a total of 5 runs yesterday.

5 hours ago, caulfield12 said:

But what did Kelenic do?

Gaddis starts Game #2 in McKenzie’s spot.

1/3 with a sharp single and a strikeout. Made a couple running catches in left. I think he either settles into an Avi like career path (so 1-3 WAR player) or he hangs on as a 4th OF. I think you can write him off as a star at this point, he's got some pretty big holes in his game and the athleticism was over hyped. That said, being an average regular is a great career and a way to make 100 million by the time you're 35 so not exactly the worst thing in the world if he can settle into that Avi like zone.

Edited March 31, 20233 yr by chitownsportsfan

2 hours ago, chitownsportsfan said:

1/3 with a sharp single and a strikeout. Made a couple running catches in left. I think he either settles into an Avi like career path (so 1-3 WAR player) or he hangs on as a 4th OF. I think you can write him off as a star at this point, he's got some pretty big holes in his game and the athleticism was over hyped. That said, being an average regular is a great career and a way to make 100 million by the time you're 35 so not exactly the worst thing in the world if he can settle into that Avi like zone.

Jeremy Reed was always the comp that came to mind…maybe more power and of course the strikeouts.

12 minutes ago, caulfield12 said:

Jeremy Reed was always the comp that came to mind…maybe more power and of course the strikeouts.

Maybe more power?  Kelenic has huge power, Reed had none at all

7 minutes ago, fathom said:

Maybe more power?  Kelenic has huge power, Reed had none at all

https://www.milb.com/player/jeremy-reed-430598#stats-block

11 13 13 homer years in the minors.

Kelenic at the big league level always to me projected at 18-22...something like that.

I guess I meant more than he maxed out his physical ability or peaked relatively early in his career.

We shall see.

1 hour ago, fathom said:

Maybe more power?  Kelenic has huge power, Reed had none at all

I think my Avi comp is pretty good, looks like Tarzan, hits like Jane. Different batted ball profiles but similar results. Similar to Avi it was assumed Kelenic could handle CF as a prospect but quickly turned into only a corner player at the MLB level. Avi put together a few decent seasons (like 2.5 WAR) but otherwise was basically a 1 WAR true talent type. Not being a real CF hurts both guys quite a bit in value.

Guardians/Mariners going to the 10th. First extra inning game this season.
 

There were no postponements the first four days. 

Edited April 2, 20233 yr by flavum