I think most of agree that this team passes the eye test in terms of improving from last year, but I had remembered reading an insider article (Buster Olney - http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/post/_/id/5076/olney-ranking-strength-of-early-al-schedule) this winter that talked about what a brutal early schedule the Twins had. ------------ 1. Minnesota Twins Games against teams with records of .500 or better in 2013: 31 of their first 40. Home/road: 18 of their first 40 are at home. Notable: My son plays a video game called "Injustice," and I think that lineup of villains is easier than what the Twins will face early in the year. They start out the season with six road games, and then beginning April 18, the Twins will play 25 straight games -- count 'em, 25 -- against teams that either made the playoffs or contended, including the Red Sox, Tigers, Rays and Dodgers. The Twins' new pitching will be tested early. -------------- Not only are we hovering around 500, but that feels like about where we belong, and we've had a brutal schedule the first quarter of the season