2023 Minnesota Twins Predictions: The Wins and the AL Central

91 wins and the AL Central Division title.    The playoff losing streak is halted, and a playoff series is won!

87 wins, tied for 1st.

It all depends on how Rocco manages the games. It he doesn't improve how he handles pitchers and if he doesn't have his hitters move runners over and if he doesn't have a winning record in 1 run games then the Twins will not be in the playoffs. If he improves as manager then Twins will be in playoffs and if he doesn't improve then he should be replaced.

3 hours ago, John Belinski said:

if he doesn't have his hitters move runners over

Not to nitpick, but... that's like me telling my (college baseball player) son to "just throw strikes" 🤷‍♂️.  It's a huge oversimplification, as I'm pretty sure a professional baseball player knows his job is to hit the ball and move the runners over.

Just so you know though... I don't say this as an attack or an attempt to be snarky.  Only that there is waaay more to it than just that simple statement and that the player has to execute said directives at the end of the day, not the manager.

81-81. Buxton gets hurt again and plays only 75 games.

First, I just want to state I'm not "worried" about the more balanced schedule. As a fan, I'm excited to play more teams, all due deference to the ALC. But not only are many/most teams fluid year to year in quality and ultimate W-L records, but every division in each league always has bottom dwellers in any given season. Mathematically, highs and lows, the Twins will be adding an overall collection of .500 opponents. The key is to beat the lesser teams consistently, and adequately against the better teams. But isn't that true every year?

Brief hits:

1] I really like the rotation and the depth. Ober is absolutely part of this rotation, and I really like him and his potential. He's just in reserve right now. And when was the last time the Twins had top prospects like Varland and SWR, and eventually Balazovic, as the 7-9 SP to help and fill in? 

2] I really like the first 6 in the pen a lot. Lopez is going to be just fine, and doesn't have to pitch like his HOF numbers to begin 2022 to be very good. I understand that the last spot or two in the pen will be fluid. And that's not a bad thing. But I'm still hoping there is a legitimate "crunch" there in a month or so where Henriquez, Winder, and Sands, perhaps others, can almost be interchangeable. And I'd feel a hell of a lot better if Pagan actually PROVES he can be a legitimate 2 IP middle man that doesn’t cough up leads. 

3] I love the depth and versatility of the roster. And I don't just mean the ML 26 man. To have guys like Julien, Lewis, Wallner, and a re-emerging Kirilloff sitting at St Paul is a tremendous luxury. And there might be a surprise or two that can potentially contribute such as Castro, Garlick and possibly Helman.

4] The offense is my greatest concern. Not everyone has to be great. Again, the depth is there. Can Gallo return to form? Can Kepler be at least solid? Can Polanco be Polanco a few weeks from now? Miranda, Larnach, AK, Julien, and Lewis are all part of the present, and future. How good is everyone, and the rest of the roster? The potential is absolutely there.

I think the team is built for around 88 wins right now. The offense clicks the way it COULD, I can see 92 wins.

I think the Twins win the ALC.

It's a battle between Chicago and Cleveland for 2nd place. Each team has different strengths and weaknesses. Can Cleveland produce enough offense and remain one of the healthiest teams yet again? Can Chicago get healthy, and do they have enough depth?

TWINS WIN.