Sustainable Success

[GP830]

I have seen a lot of pundits and people on boards talking about how the Twins can't play over their heads for an entire season. That's true. However, so far we've seen the following:

 

-Timely hitting

-Patience at the plate

-Strong Defense with minimal mental errors

-Quality pitching through at least 5 innings (save for Mejia) 

 

It's my assertion that this isn't the type of stuff that needs to go away when other teams get hip to what the Twins are doing-- these are the fundamentals that we've always heard so much about. Additionally, we have a number of guys who's talent has outran their performance for too long. It's possible that they're just finally putting it together. 

 

If we were beating teams 10-1 or 15-0 every night, I'd agree that that is not sustainable. But what we've got now isn't out of this world-- it's solid fundamental baseball.

 

My point is this-- There's no reason to think that this team won't break .500 this year based on how they've played. I've taken the defeatist attitude with regards to my Twins for too long, and I of course could be wrong, but I'm gonna choose to have a little faith on this one. 

 

Crazier things have happened.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

My point is this-- There's no reason to think that this team won't break .500 this year based on how they've played. I've taken the defeatist attitude with regards to my Twins for too long, and I of course could be wrong, but I'm gonna choose to have a little faith on this one.

It comes down to the pitching staff. In Santiago, we know his record. He's a passable pitcher when he's throwing well. At this point, Hughes' upside is likely mediocrity unless he magically finds another 3mph on his fastball. Gibson has a little upside but it's unlikely he'll be better than a strong #3 if all goes well. Mejia is a wildcard but he's not exactly the second coming of Sandy Koufax. His upside is probably somewhere around a #3 as well.

 

I just listed 80% of the rotation, which has an upside of middle of the rotation.

 

Then there's Santana, who appears to be rolling again. We can put his ceiling at #2.

 

That kind of rotation is not the hallmark of a postseason team. Can they make the postseason? Sure, anything can happen but I sure wouldn't bet my hard-earned money on it.

[BK432]

Something else to add to this conversation.

 

The caveat that I recall being talked about here a couple years ago was if they could be close come July, you can use prospects to improve your team. So, in essence, being good for a while could become truth simply because you can improve your team the last 1/3 or 1/2 of the season through trades/promotions, etc.

 

That idea is true in theory, but I think the Twins are at least a couple #2 like SP arms away from being in the conversation.....and outside of Berrios taking a huge leap and becoming that guy the second half of the season, I don't think the Twins can/will acquire the kind of guys to make enough of an impact.

[Loosey]

I don't think they are playing over their heads.  Personally, I think they can hit a lot better.  The walks are a combination of patience and bad opponent's pitching.  So that will ebb and flow.  

 

I think this team is better than last years team, which way underperformed.  Ideally they will beat the bad teams which they have so far, and at least begin to compete with the good teams.  Mid to high 70's in wins is not a pipe dream.

 

 

[Willihammer]

I was going to say a bullpen anchored by Matt Belisle and Brandon Kintzler isn't going far in the playoff but the rotation probably wouldn't either. I like the success so far, I'm not complaining, but the pitching still isn't there. Stick to the plan.