Article: Twins Daily 2018 Twins Predictions

[Seth Stohs]

Happy Opening Day, Minnesota Twins Fans!

 

As the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles are set to play their Opening Day game at 2:05 (central time), another season begins. And if there is one thing that is needed at the beginning of every season, it’s some good old fashioned predictions. The pieces are in place for what should be a very entertaining season for the Twins and their fans. Today, the Twins Daily owners and writers share their predictions for the Twins 2018 season.Here is how our Twins Daily staff thinks 2018 will go for the Minnesota Twins. Be sure to share your predictions for these categories (or more) below in the comment section. And of course in October or November, we’ll be sure to go through these and see how we all did.

 

Seth Stohs:

 

Minnesota Twins 88-74 (Second in AL Central behind Cleveland, Will Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Max Kepler

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jake Odorizzi

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

Nick Nelson:

 

Minnesota Twins 92-70 (Second in AL Central, Wild Card #1)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Fernando Romero

 

Parker Hageman:

 

Minnesota Twins 90-72 (Second in AL Central)

Offensive Player of the Year: Logan Morrison

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Lance Lynn

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Rogers

Twins Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Moya

 

John Bonnes:

 

Minnesota Twins 87-76 (Second in AL Central, win Game 163 for Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Miguel Sano

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jake Odorizzi

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Fernando Romero

 

Brock Beauchamp:

 

Minnesota Twins 88-74 (Second in AL Central, Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Brian Dozier

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Trevor Hildenberger

Twins Rookie of the Year: Nick Gordon

 

Tom Froemming:

 

Minnesota Twins 87-75 (Second in AL Central, Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Logan Morrison

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

Cody Christie:

 

Minnesota Twins 90-72 (Second in AL Central, Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Trevor Hildenberger

Twins Rookie of the Year: Stephen Gonsalves

 

Ted Schwerzler:

 

Minnesota Twins 91-71 (Second in AL Central. Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Miguel Sano

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

Jeremy Nygaard:

 

Minnesota Twins 83-79 (2nd in AL Central. Miss playoffs)

Offensive Player of the Year: Byron Buxton

Most Home Runs: Logan Morrison

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Lance Lynn

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

Steve Lein:

 

Minnesota Twins 89-73 (2nd in AL Central, Wild Card #2)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Trevor Hildenberger

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

Andrew Thares:

 

Minnesota Twins 87-75 (#2 Wild Card)

Offensive Player of the Year: Byron Buxton

Most Home Runs: Logan Morrison

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Trevor Hildenberger

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

JD Cameron:

 

Minnesota Twins 90-72 (2nd in the AL Central, #1 Wild Card)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Moya

 

Now it’s your turn. Post your predictions in the comments below.

 

~~~

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[Chris Hanel]

In the World Series, the Twins beat the Cubs in 6 games. Mauer earns WS MVP honors, accepting the trophy in front of thousands of adoring fans, before announcing that with a championship secured and HoF enshrinement all but certain, he will be retiring on top. Mauer then begins to emit an ethereal glow, levitating into the air before transforming into pure energy, and disappearing in a blinding explosion of light. The knowledge that we, as a society, were fortunate to have been on this earth at the same time as Joe Mauer ushers in a period of unity, peace, and prosperity previously unknown by humankind. It continues uninterrupted for a century.

[jimmer]

I like Andrew's picks except for Relief pitcher.  That's Addison Reed

[glunn]

 

In the World Series, the Twins beat the Cubs in 6 games. Mauer earns WS MVP honors, accepting the trophy in front of thousands of adoring fans, before announcing that with a championship secured and HoF enshrinement all but certain, he will be retiring on top. Mauer then begins to emit an ethereal glow, levitating into the air before transforming into pure energy, and disappearing in a blinding explosion of light. The knowledge that we, as a society, were fortunate to have been on this earth at the same time as Joe Mauer ushers in a period of unity, peace, and prosperity previously unknown by humankind. It continues uninterrupted for a century.

You left out the part where Mauer leaves behind five magic eggs that hatch into clones of Killebrew, Oliva, Puckett, Kaat and Johan Santana who are immediately signed to 100 year contracts and who never age. The clones lead the team to 100 straight World Series victories.

 

On a more serious note, these predictions suggest lots of upside for lots of players. I hope that most of them come true. I also look forward to the predictions of TD members.

[hugelycat]

No offense to Ted, but I'm hoping we don't hit his prediction - getting to 91 wins and still missing the playoffs would be rough.

 

Twins Record: 87-75 (2nd AL Central, #2 Wild Card)
Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier
Most Home Runs: Brian Dozier
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Fernando Romero

[bluechipper]

Seth, I'm not sure if your prediction of Max Kepler leading the team in HRs and Odorizzi being the best starter meant two breakout seasons led to great results, or something went horribly horribly wrong.

[nater79a]

 

Seth, I'm not sure if your prediction of Max Kepler leading the team in HRs and Odorizzi being the best starter meant two breakout seasons led to great results, or something went horribly horribly wrong.

 

Seth knows that Kepler will hit 4.120 OPS against lefties with 37 home runs.

 

Unfortunately, Keps only hits .625 OPS and sits against most righties.

 

[Jordan1212]

95-67

Division crown

Offensive player: Miguel Sano

Most home runs: Logan Morrison

Starting pitcher: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher: Addison Reed

Twins rookie: Fernando Romero

 

I went outside the box on a few I think Sano is a better overall hitter than Dozier. Logan is just gonna squeak out Sano on home runs. Berrios could be on the verge of special. Reed is proven to be a stud. And the best for last Romero has the chance to be that "It" factor he has Ace written all over him and I have loved Berrios since the day we drafted him but Romero is in different stratosphere and I can't wait till Gibson does what Gibson does so this future all star gets up here where he really belongs.

[Penthang]

I thought it was interesting that several people chose buxton as there offensive player of the year. If that actually comes to pass with the other players on this roster that would probably mean he is baseballs WAR leader beating out Trout.

[Puckett34]

94-68 (First in AL Central)

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier
Most Home Runs: Brian Dozier
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Stephen Gonsalves

[Respy]

89-73 (Second in AL Central, first in Wild Card)

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Miguel Sano
Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Lance Lynn
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Moya

[The Wise One]

Gibson will have a career year in hopes that some GM  will ignore most of the others.

Morrison will get starts in the outfield, hopefully not on the same days as Grossman.  The raindrops falling will be Buxton's as he tries to cover most of the territory in the outfield. 

The Twins will trade for another starter if they are in contention in July.  Besides Hughes some other pitcher will get injured and need replacing. One of the minor league pitcher not named Adalberto will come up for the fifth starter job. 

Dozier won't choke  in a contract push. Joe Mauer plays like he is in the playoffs. One good series and 2 dismal ones

[Blake]

Twins win 102 games and tie Cleveland, necessitating a 1 game tie-breaker to decide the division champ with the loser getting the wild card.

 

Rosario builds on last year and flirts with a .300 batting average.

Buxton shows some pop in the bat and flirts with 20 home runs.

Dozier is Dozier.

Mauer shows all of us his return to form last year wasn't a fluke and he is in the hunt for another batting title.

[gunnarthor]

Twins Record: 92-70 (1st AL Central)
Offensive Player of the Year: Sano
Most Home Runs: Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Curtiss

[JaleelWhite FanClub]

Man-Oh-Man! Not one person thinks the Twins can finish ahead of the Indians. Maybe I'm drunk on the good-vibe Kool-Aid of spring, but I don't see the Indians as juggernauts in the same class as the Astros, Dodgers, or Yankees (or even the Cubs, Nats, and Red Sox for that matter).

 

Sure they have a great rotation, but ALL pitching is susceptible to injuries. Bullpens, even theirs, are always inconsistent year-to-year. As for the lineup, Jose Ramirez I think WAAAY overachieved last year. There's no guarantee Kipnis and Brantley will return from injuries the same players. Encarnacion is getting older. The outfield is young and relatively unproven. Besides Lindor, who else is a lock to be s big-time producer?

 

Give me the Twins winning 90-ish games this year AND the division! What the hell!

[theBOMisthebomb]

Twins record 92-70, edging out the Indians for the division.

Twins-Dodgers World Series. Twins win in 7 games.

Buxton, Kepler, and Berrios have significant improvement from 2017. Joe Mauer will have a preconcussion Mauer type of season.

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier

Most Home Runs: Brian Dozier

Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios

Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed

Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

[lukeduke1980]

I agree with Jaleel - Twins can top Indians.  Indians' pitching is stellar but I'm not crazy about their offensive depth after Lindor and Ramirez.

 

93-69
Division crown
Offensive player: Byron Buxton
Most home runs: Eddie Rosario
Starting pitcher: Lance Lynn
Relief Pitcher: Addison Reed
Twins rookie: Stephen Gonzales.

 

I love the breadth of plausibility on all of these predictions!

[slash129]

88-74, second wild-card, wild October which results in sending the Yankees home.

 

If not, I become the Lewis Black play-off fan and spend October cheering for New York Demise.

 

 

[Andrew Thares]

 

I like Andrew's picks except for Relief pitcher.  That's Addison Reed

I was deciding between Reed and Hildenberger for that spot. It's gonna be really close.

[Andrew Thares]

 

I thought it was interesting that several people chose buxton as there offensive player of the year. If that actually comes to pass with the other players on this roster that would probably mean he is baseballs WAR leader beating out Trout.

Maybe, but even if Buxton has say the offensive season Dozier had last year, I still think Trout has a better WAR than Buxton, even with the defensive gap between the two. Trout is just that far ahead of everyone else offensively.

[MN_ExPat]

Minnesota Twins 92-70 (Second in AL Central, Wild Card #1)
Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier
Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Stephen Gonsalves or Gabriel Moya

 

Ok, I cheated on the RoY.   Why?   First off, because I can and secondly... Well I really can't choose between the two.   I truly feel that both could be impactful.  

[Thrylos]

90-72 Win the AL Central
Offensive player: Miguel Sano
Most home runs: Miguel Sano
Starting pitcher: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher: Addison Reed
Twins rookie: Gabriel Moya

[raindog]

I'm just going to make one bold prediction. Byron Buxton finishes second to Trout in MVP voting. Book it.

[henrichsj]

 

Man-Oh-Man! Not one person thinks the Twins can finish ahead of the Indians. Maybe I'm drunk on the good-vibe Kool-Aid of spring, but I don't see the Indians as juggernauts in the same class as the Astros, Dodgers, or Yankees (or even the Cubs, Nats, and Red Sox for that matter).

 

Sure they have a great rotation, but ALL pitching is susceptible to injuries. Bullpens, even theirs, are always inconsistent year-to-year. As for the lineup, Jose Ramirez I think WAAAY overachieved last year. There's no guarantee Kipnis and Brantley will return from injuries the same players. Encarnacion is getting older. The outfield is young and relatively unproven. Besides Lindor, who else is a lock to be s big-time producer?

 

Give me the Twins winning 90-ish games this year AND the division! What the hell!

 

I agree with this! I don't understand what people still see in the Indians. I think they are still good, but not the same class as Houston as people imply. They lost Santana and their bullpen is aging. Bullpens' window of dominance are 2-3 years. Cleveland is at the tail end of that. I predict that people will be surprised by their performance this year. They will NOT run away with the AL Central. We will compete hard with them. Websites like ESPN and Bleacher Report are downplaying the additions we've made. 

[Dantes929]

I always thought I was an optimist but maybe I am just a contrarian because I have a hard time being optimistic on a board full of posters that are fairly optimistic.   My choice is to either say 100 wins or 76 wins.    I think it interesting that all but 3 posters have the Twins at 90 wins or better while the staff come in with an average of 88.5.    I think if the over/under were 86.5 I would have a tough choice.   As far as Vegas is concerned the line is 82.5.    Things still have to go right for the Twins to get in the mid 80's or above but I would put $100 on the over.   Can someone do that for me please?

Buxton will win Offensive player narrowly beating out Mauer who will compete for the batting title.   Stealing bases, power and about a .350 OBP will give Buxton the nod.

Sano with most homers.

Lynn as starter of the year

Reed as reliever of the year

Romero as rookie of the year

 

[USAFChief]

92-70 (ALC Champions)

 

Offensive Player of the Year: Byron Buxton
Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Lance Lynn
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Gonsalves

[rdehring]

I have a question for those picking Romero as Rookie of the Year.  Which of the starting five (Berrios, Santana, Gibson, Odorizzi or Lynn) do you see him replacing?  Or do you see him coming up and pitching out of the pen?

 

My picks are:  Record 94-68, finishing 1st in the Central Division.  They then win the first round of the playoffs, however, lose the ALCS in 7 games.

 

Offensive Player of the Year:  Eddie Rosario

Most Home Runs:  Eddie Rosario

Starting Pitcher:  Lance Lynn

Relief Pitcher:  Gabriel Moya

Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Moya

[tvagle]

Minnesota Twins 100-62 (AL Central Champs,)
Offensive Player of the Year: Eddie Rosario
Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Gabriel Moya

 

For a look at how the Twins could get to 100 and to make a more calculated prediction of Wins and Losses feel free to build your own Path to 100

(Simply fill in wins and losses for each team on the Twins schedule)

[Ted Schwerzler]

 

No offense to Ted, but I'm hoping we don't hit his prediction - getting to 91 wins and still missing the playoffs would be rough.

 

Twins Record: 87-75 (2nd AL Central, #2 Wild Card)
Offensive Player of the Year: Brian Dozier
Most Home Runs: Brian Dozier
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Fernando Romero

For some reason, I emailed Seth and didn't catch that. Definitely don't have the Twins missing the playoffs at 91 wins. Should've said 2nd Wild Card (just behind Boston)

[henrichsj]

Minnesota Twins 92-70 (#1 AL Central)
Offensive Player of the Year: Joe Mauer
Most Home Runs: Miguel Sano
Starting Pitcher of the Year: Jose Berrios
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Addison Reed
Twins Rookie of the Year: Mitch Garver

 

I'm confused by some predictions I'm seeing on other blogs and websites. Well, I'm not actually, no one usually cares about Minnesota. Funny how no one cares about Dozier and now suddenly he's going to become a free agent and it's top story on ESPN. Like you have to be willing to leave MN to get some notice.

 

But I digress. Anyway, sheer math, tells me that many people's predictions are off. Bleacher Report for instance, claims the Yankees will win the AL East with close to 100 wins and the Red Sox will be right behind. They predict the Blue Jays to win a Wild Card spot with 85+ and the Orioles to be in the thick of things as well. How is that even mathematically possible?!? The majority of their games are going to be against each other! Do people really think the Blue Jays and Orioles are going to clean house against every other non-AL East team they play? I seriously doubt it.

 

Meanwhile, the Twins became BETTER on paper than they were last year, and will play in a division where 3 of the 5 teams have already thrown in the towel. And most writers have us lucky to win a few games over .500! We won 85 games last year with a worse rotation and a worse bullpen... How are we going to struggle to win 80 this year?

 

Despite what others seem to think, I forecast the Indians to take a serious step back this year. Their window seems to be closing albeit for the simple fact that they aren't really adding any pieces to their current team, and losing or aging players that have been part of their success. They are nowhere near the Astros and I would even argue Yankees or Red Sox. We will compete with them all year, I believe 92-95 wins could win the division.

 

I see Mauer having a career season, then taking a massive pay cut to remain a Twin. I see Sano staying healthy when everyone least expects it and mashing close to 50 homers. I see Berrios breaking out and anchoring our rotation like Johan used to. I see Buxton becoming a Star. I see our bullpen improving this season similar to how our team defense improved last season. 

 

Fun time to be a Twins fan!