Second half predictions

[stringer bell]

If you care about the All-Star game and Home Run Derby, this is an exciting week. I really don't care about exhibitions so to me this week is a dead zone.

It might be a good time to see if there are any seers among the Twins Daily faithful. Let's have a prediction thread about what will happen to the players and the team for the balance of 2026 with special attention to whether the Twins make the playoffs in the weak American League.

I'll predict that the Twins are in the wild card and division conversation until the end, but late injuries and perhaps lack of bullpen depth will be their undoing. They finish with a 80-82 record and are a couple games out of the last playoff spot. Ryan Jeffers traded, Joe Ryan and Larnach stay.

 

[Vanimal46]

A question that’s been on my mind… Let’s say player control is reduced in the next CBA from 6 full service time years to 5. Will existing players be grandfathered in? Or will players like Joe Ryan instantly hit FA? 

[akmanak]

The Twins have been notorious for falling apart in late July and August. Without additional additions to the bullpen I suspect we start falling down the standings. 

If they can obtain just two above average bullpen arms, then this opinion shifts in the opposite direction and I firmly believe given the current state of the AL we could win the first round of the playoffs .

[ashbury]

My preseason 61-101 prognostication seems to have worked as an anti-jinx, so I will stand pat.

[Linus]

I’m not bullish on making the playoffs. RISP is likely to regress meaning more games where they simply don’t score enough to have a chance. If they suffer any pitching injuries things could get ugly as the pitching depth is tapped out. Having said all that, I really enjoy watching this team and am looking forward to the rest of the season. It will be fascinating to see how they handle the trade deadline. 

[Church of Kreidler]

As one of the forums resident optimists, I think we should all be buying our tickets to the Wild Card game ASAP!!! We've been riding on some crazy momentum the last several weeks, and I truly believe it's here to last!!!

I'm most excited to see how our recent pitching acquisitions shake out, and to see what comes from the upcoming trade deadline. I think more good things are coming!!!

(And boy howdy, I sure hope I'm right!)