Giles Ferrell

Hoping Arrarez can make the most of his chance in left/leading off. Would be great for the lineup if he can.

One of the best days on the calendar! Opening day!

This is not just a Twins problem. It's an MLB and even NBA and NHL problem. As Brock mentions, the Twins have their hands tied pretty good here. While we might be suffering right now, there will be long-term ramifications of this stalemate which will certainly benefit the consumers.

The 2020 baseball season felt like a dream. It was short and because no one was allowed at the games, you barely remember it. If you had to check who won the World Series last year and you don’t live in Southern California, you are not alone. It was the Dodgers, by the way. If you are a fan of Clayton Kershaw, that’s great news, because you never have to hear about his postseason success - or lack thereof - ever again. He has a ring, and now he can take his place among the all-time greats. But anyway, that was 2020. Now time for 2021, and a full 162 game season. Also happening in 2021: A return to the ballpark for fans. Kansas City Royals @RoyalsWe actually enjoy watching paint dry. March 30th 202132 Retweets498 Likes I don’t know about you, but sunshine, baseball, and a beer sound delightful. It has been too long and that day is nigh. Something else that is long overdue: A Minnesota Twins playoff victory. They have not won a playoff game since Johan Santana toed the mound in Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2004. For those counting, that was 18 playoff games and over 6,000 days ago. If you are running for your favorite adult beverage after reading that, I don’t blame you. The Twins are set to be in the thick of things in the American League Central once again this season, and they are expected to be joined by the Chicago White Sox who dazzled prognosticators over the offseasons with their signings. Minnesota has won the past two Central Division titles and will look to make it three straight since 2002-04, the only other time in team history they have accomplished that feat. Since it is that time of year, the time has come to open up the prognostications for this baseball season. We will go over division winners, playoff winners, and some award winners. Please feel free to jump in the comments and say how wrong these are. National League West - Los Angeles Dodgers (-300 to win the division) Somehow, the best team in baseball got better with the addition of Trevor Bauer this offseason. Just an embarrassment of riches on this team. Padres will give the Dodgers a run for their money this summer, but Los Angeles will pull away in September. National League Central - St. Louis Cardinals (+105) This division was the most difficult to pick, but somehow the Cardinals will just nudge out the Brewers and Reds for the crown. Should be a fun race all summer. National League East - Atlanta Braves (+140) Sorry, just can’t get behind the Mets yet. They have some great pitching, but just team to team the Braves are deeper. Good value bet here as the Braves are not the favorites to win this division. The Braves have won the East in three straight years and you have to like the odds to make it four straight. American League West - Houston Astros (+120) I’d like to throw this pick in the garbage can, but something in my head keeps banging on the fact Houston is still to beat here. George Springer is gone to Toronto, and Justin Verlander is out for the year. But somehow, someway, this team will get the division title. If I was going to pick an upset, this would have been the division to do it with Oakland and Anaheim to be in the mix. American League Central - Minnesota Twins (+110) Chicago White Sox were the champions but they won’t be the champions of the Central this year. The Twins depth gives them a third straight division title and a shot at winning one lousy playoff game again this fall. Somehow, the White Sox are still favored to win the division by Las Vegas. American League East - New York Yankees (-220) The Evil Empire will steamroll to another AL East crown. Even if they can’t get healthy seasons from Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, they still have all the rest to cover the absences. Look out for Stanton though, as all indications this spring are that he is looking incredibly sharp and ready to mash in the hitter friendly Yankee Stadium. National League Wild Card Teams - San Diego Padres (-850 to make playoffs) & Washington Nationals (+160 to make playoffs) If you can stomach the late nights, the Padres are going to be so much fun to watch this summer. As mentioned above, they will give the Dodgers a run for their money in the West this season before losing out. Still can put them down for a Wild Card spot though. Washington is a sleeper pick here. They have a good rotation and should have a decent bullpen. The lineup is questionable, but they could easily make an addition later in the year if they need some added offense. A healthy year from Juan Soto will do wonders for them as well. American League Wild Card Teams - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (+160 to make the playoffs) & Chicago White Sox (-260 to make the playoffs) The White Sox will be good enough this year to get in the playoffs as a Wild Card, but not enough to win the Central. Losing Eloy Jimenez in Spring Training for 5-6 months was a big loss, but they still have the firepower to get in the backdoor. Honestly, the Angels are a pick of hope and desperation. Baseball needs Mike Trout in the playoffs. Also, how fun would it be to have Shohei Ohtani pitching and hitting in the playoffs? Like the kid in Disney’s Angels in the Outfield, we may need some divine intervention to help get them in the playoffs. Postseason Results: American League Winner: New York Yankees (+230 to win the AL) National League Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers (+175 to win the NL) World Series Winner: New York Yankees (+550 to win the WS) This feels wrong in so many ways, but I just can’t see these clubs not in the Fall Classic should they remain moderately healthy this season. Should be a good dog fight though between these two juggernauts. Award Winners: AL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton - NYY (+3500) NL MVP: Juan Soto - WSH (+700) AL Cy Young: Gerrit Cole - NYY (+330) NL Cy Young: Yu Darvish - SD (+1000) Other Best Bets: Minnesota Twins over 89.5 wins (-110) New York Mets under 91 wins (-110) Washington Nationals over 84 wins (-110) Atlanta Braves over 91.5 wins (+100) PLAY BALL! Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook ***This post was originally posted to my Substack, which you can find here***

Still worried about the bullpen. Hopefully they can be effective from the get go this year.

*nervous grin* I sure do hope they are right and we don't remember 2021 as the year that got away because of a faulty bullpen.

This is exactly why no one remembers Dave Kingman hitting a ball up into the Dome that never came down.

(kidding)

Stick to hockey!

John should try mixing in a water during these podcasts...

Tip of the cap to Cuddy. Good ballplayer, great human being.

Nothing would warm my heart more than seeing #33 put on the Twins uniform again. But given his history with concussions, I would just rather see him hang it up and enjoy life beyond baseball with his family. The thought of him having one more concussion is just downright frightening at this point.

I didnt have anything in my calendar, but if I did, I would clear it for this!

I'll be sure to send him a thank you card.

2009: Cuddyer hits for the cycle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58izn14ejww

Well this certainly makes Ricky Nolasco's first year here look fantastic by comparison!

"Wait, so Torii Hunter and new home uniforms weren't enough to get people excited and back out to the ballpark?"-Twins Front Office, probably

The pitching staff reminds me of the scene in Major League where the construction workers are sitting there reading the Indians lineup going "Who are these (expletive) guys?!"

Glen Perkins: Always a lock to lead the league in unzipped pants.

Great deal. Love that the Twins got out ahead on this one and locked him up with two years left on his existing deal.

Im cool with this

Give him a blank check!!

I still think Cabrera wins the AL MVP. He won the triple crown. You can't vote a guy who on the triple crown second and his team makes the playoffs. I do agree the Posey will win MVP in the NL, but if I were to cast a ballot, my vote would go to Braun.

This afternoon, we kick off the new playoff format, featuring the 2 Wild Card play in games. But, before we do that. We are going to hand out some hardware for the regular season. We will cover Twins awards and MLB awards. Twins Awards Twins MVP-Josh Willingham: This came down to Hammer and Mauer. But ultimately, we gave the nod to Willingham. Willingham was signed last offseason over the incumbent OF and team leader, Michael Cuddyer, and he did not disappoint Twins fans in 2012. He hit .260 and lead the team with 35 home runs and 110 RBI. Not since the likes of Harmon Killebrew have we seen some hit for so much power. He was a much needed addition to the lineup, and was a very worthy choice of MVP. Twins Cy Young-Scott Diamond: You may remember Diamond was taken in the rule 5 draft by the Twins in the offseason prior to 2011. The Twins ended up keeping him, but they worked out a trade with Atlanta so they could send him down to AAA, where he pitched horribly. So heading into 2012, Diamond was slotted to spend most of the year at AAA. But, Diamond pitched very well, earned a call up in May, and never saw Rochester again. He won his first 3 starts and posted an ERA of 1.40 during that time. Diamond ended up with a 12-9 record with a 3.54 ERA, both lead the team's pitching staff. He also threw 173 innings, which was 64 more than the second place finisher on the team (Duensing). No pitcher was more valuable to the Twins than Scott Diamond in 2012, and we hope he can build on his success in 2013. Twins Rookie of the Year-Scott Diamond: You just read about him. Twins Defensive Player of the Year-Ben Revere: Seriously folks, Ben Revere has a ridiculous highlight reel this year. No one covers more ground than Ben Revere does in the outfield. And in addition to his highlight catches, Revere improved his arm in the offseason (Still not great, but definitely better). He is making himself one of the best outfielders in the game. In fact, Revere should be in the conversation for a Gold Glove award, he has done so well. If you wish to watch the Revere highlight reel, here is a link to those videos. MLB Awards AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera (DET) NL MVP: Ryan Braun (MIL) AL Cy Young: David Price (TB) NL Cy Young: R.A. Dickey (NYM) AL ROY: Mike Trout (LAA) NL ROY: Bryce Harper (WSH) AL Manager of the Year: Buck Showalter (BAL) NL Manager of the Year: Davey Johnson (WSH) Enjoy the Wild Card games tonight! Check out Twin Minds at http://twinmindsblog.blogspot.com