Twins Daily 2018 Twins Predictions

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

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.

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.  

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

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

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

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)

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)