Tough Stretch of Schedule -Comparisons to Same Matchups in 2011 and 2010

Since the 2012 Twins challenging early portion of the schedule is cited as one of the reasons for the team's poor start, I was curious to see if the Twins struggled as mightily in the same matchups played in the same ballparks in 2011 and 2010. Here's the comparison:

2012: 5-14, 71 runs scored, 109 runs given up
2011: 6-13, 73 runs scored, 90 runs given up
2010: 11-8, 79 runs scored, 61 runs given up*

*The Twins only played 3 games in New York in 2010 as opposed to 4 played there this year. I substituted the first Yankee game played at Target Field in order to have the same number of games.

It's sort of yes and no in that regard. The Twins only won one game more versus these opponents last year but surrendered a full run less per game than this year's team. Perhaps last year's team had already approached the point where the run disparity to win probability slope against good teams flattens out. What we should be alarmed about is that the pitching decline will have a more profound impact on the chances of winning versus the Kansas City's of the world.

So this team is actually doing worse than the 2011 99-loss team in the same games...

On pace for 43-119 or '62 Mets territory. They'll do better once they start playing central division foes. They'll need some starting pitching though.

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Originally Posted by Curt

On pace for 43-119 or '62 Mets territory. They'll do better once they start playing central division foes. They'll need some starting pitching though.

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They better win more than 43. The pitching is beyond awful, but the offense has to make up the difference in some kind of fashion. I still feel like 70 wins is probable, but that's about it.

They will get on some kind of hot streak at some point this season. Just need to score more of those runners that get into scoring position.

Yeah, I'm pretty shocked by how bad this team has been so far. Last year's club was at least respectable when most the guys were healthy. Cody's probably right that a hot streak will hit at some point but they've dug themselves a HUGE hole with some truly miserable play. One series win in their first six and already two sweeps at home? Yikes. From 2008 to 2010, the Twins got swept at home three times total.