Why is everyone on ESPN blowing the Twins

[Rick Diesel]

Looking at the experts predictions on ESPN for the upcoming baseball season and four of the first five "experts" (including both Gammons and Stark) picked the Twins to win the World Series. Am I missing something here? Did they trade for a bunch of players overnight that I didn't know about?

[tbach24]

Because they love taking no-risk plays in order to try and look smart. Twins aren't a team that anyone can blame you for picking, but if you pick them over the Sox, Angels or Yankees in the AL and you're right, then you'll look intelligent to the non-intelligent audience.

BTW, I haven't checked ESPN in a while, did Neyer predict anyone?

[Soul Daddy]

Because blowing the A's got old?

[Edge34]

[ QUOTE ]
Looking at the experts predictions on ESPN for the upcoming baseball season and four of the first five "experts" (including both Gammons and Stark) picked the Twins to win the World Series. Am I missing something here? Did they trade for a bunch of players overnight that I didn't know about?

[/ QUOTE ]

We've got THE best starting pitcher in baseball, the guy nobody wants to face.

We're probably in the top 3 defensively.

We've got a lot of good solid bats.

We don't need to buy our talent like the friggin' Yankees, and we didn't get rid of half our players like Boston. Once the Yankees rotation finds its way to the DL, the Twinkies should still be in the thick of things. Not to mention, we didn't LOSE anybody from last year's team, which was mere hits away from defeating the Yankees in the Divisional series.

SPs: Santana, Radke, Mays
Setup: Rincon
Closer: Nathan
Bats: Mauer, Torii, Jones, Stewart, Cuddyer...

We're a solid team, and its just because we're NOT the Yankees that the haters say we don't have a chance.

[jakethebake]

I'd much rather be blown by twins.

http://mediapickle.com/content/pics/Mediapickle_Presents_hot_twins_botd2.jpg

[mason55]

[ QUOTE ]
Because blowing the A's got old?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty impossible without Hudson and Mulder

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
Not to mention, we didn't LOSE anybody from last year's team, which was a competent manager away from defeating the Yankees in the Divisional series.

[/ QUOTE ]
Fixed your post

[Edge34]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Not to mention, we didn't LOSE anybody from last year's team, which was a competent manager away from defeating the Yankees in the Divisional series.

[/ QUOTE ]
Fixed your post

[/ QUOTE ]

I know you're right, but look at the overall job Gardy's done since taking over for TK. I just can't bring myself to diss him... /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Soul Daddy]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Because blowing the A's got old?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty impossible without Hudson and Mulder

[/ QUOTE ]
But they've got Billy Beane! He's the greatest mind of our time!

[nolanfan34]

They have won their division for a few years now, so they're an easy choice in some ways. I think the fact of the matter is, they've had some close calls, and if they can make it to the ALCS, they have as good of a chance to win the whole thing as anyone.

Like Edge said, they have a good young hitting core, and I really like the fact that Bartlett is going to start, and Cuddyer will finally get some PT. I think their weakness is the back of their rotation, but they won't need to win 90 games to win their division. Once they get into the playoffs, Santana and Radke could be enough.

I certainly would not be surprised to see them make the WS.

[Boris]

This is the same network that hired Steve Phillips to be a baseball analyst. what a joke.

[DangerGoodson]

[ QUOTE ]
Looking at the experts predictions on ESPN for the upcoming baseball season and four of the first five "experts" (including both Gammons and Stark) picked the Twins to win the World Series. Am I missing something here? Did they trade for a bunch of players overnight that I didn't know about?

[/ QUOTE ]


Because of this guy.

http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/sports/brew/img/nov04/san1111.jpg

[DangerGoodson]

http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news17/1mauer0708.l.jpg
This guy won't be too bad either.

[jakethebake]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news17/1mauer0708.l.jpg
This guy won't be too bad either.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hah Ha. That pic looks like he belongs in the hot tub. I bet he's a catcher off the field too.

[DangerGoodson]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
http://www.startribune.com/stonline/images/news17/1mauer0708.l.jpg
This guy won't be too bad either.

[/ QUOTE ]


Don't make fun of the soon to be greatest baseball player of all time.

Hah Ha. That pic looks like he belongs in the hot tub.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Rick Diesel]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Looking at the experts predictions on ESPN for the upcoming baseball season and four of the first five "experts" (including both Gammons and Stark) picked the Twins to win the World Series. Am I missing something here? Did they trade for a bunch of players overnight that I didn't know about?

[/ QUOTE ]

We've got THE best starting pitcher in baseball, the guy nobody wants to face.

We're probably in the top 3 defensively.

We've got a lot of good solid bats.

We don't need to buy our talent like the friggin' Yankees, and we didn't get rid of half our players like Boston. Once the Yankees rotation finds its way to the DL, the Twinkies should still be in the thick of things. Not to mention, we didn't LOSE anybody from last year's team, which was mere hits away from defeating the Yankees in the Divisional series.

SPs: Santana, Radke, Mays
Setup: Rincon
Closer: Nathan
Bats: Mauer, Torii, Jones, Stewart, Cuddyer...

We're a solid team, and its just because we're NOT the Yankees that the haters say we don't have a chance.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now Santana obviously had a great year last year, but it takes more than half a season to name someone THE best starter in baseball.

Mauer is unproven. Yes, it sure looks like he will be great, but Todd Van Poppel was unstoppable until he got to the major leagues. So was Ban McDonald. Wait until he actually plays a full season before anointing him the chosen one.

Jacque Jones might be THE most inconsistent player in baseball.

Radke and Mays are nothing better than fifth starters on some of the good teams in baseball.

I don't doubt that the Twins will have a good year. I just can't believe that so many writers are picking them to win it all. Yes, they do have a good team that should win a division, but can they get through the lineups of Anaheim, Boston or New York in 2 playoff series? Assuming that Santana only pitches two games in a seven game series, do you really want the ball in Brad Radke's hands in a deciding game?

Please note that I was not trying to "hate" on the Twins with my original post. I just found it unbelievable that all kinds of writers were picking them. If one or two writers picked them I understand, but four of the first five they asked picked them. That does not make sense to me.

[Boris]

[ QUOTE ]
Radke and Mays are nothing better than fifth starters on some of the good teams in baseball.

[/ QUOTE ]

Radke is a solid #3 starter for pretty much every team in baseball.

[MarkL444]

i think their bullpen has a lot to do with it.

[The Yugoslavian]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd much rather be blown by twins.

http://mediapickle.com/content/pics/Mediapickle_Presents_hot_twins_botd2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Ni Han.

Yugoslav

[MEbenhoe]

Here's my opinion on it (if anyone cares):

The Twins are a good team, but they're being highly overrated right now. My personal belief is that the Tigers have a good chance to give the Twins trouble in the Central, probably not win it, but keep it close pretty late in the season.

This means nothing but looking at the head to head matchup:

C Rodriguez vs Mauer, push although probable slight edge to Tigers
1B Pena vs Morneau, again push although probable slight edge to Tigers
2B Infante vs Rivas, Infante pwns Rivas
SS Guillen vs Bartlett, Guillen pwns Bartlett
3B Inge vs Cuddyer, I actually give the edge to Inge here, he's more proven and to those who say you need to give Cuddyer a full season to see what he can do, well Inge has never played a true full season either
LF White vs Stewart/Ford Edge Twins
CF Monroe vs Hunter Edge Twins
RF Ordonez vs Jones Edge Tigers

Starting Pitchers

Top 2
Bonderman/Johnson vs Santana/Radke Edge Twins

3-5
Maroth/Robertson/Ledzema vs Silva/Lohse/Mays
Edge Tigers

This one will likely be controversial so lets break it down

Maroth: 11-13, 4.31 ERA, 108K, 1.39 WHIP
Robertson: 12-10, 4.90 ERA, 155K, 1.41 WHIP
Ledzema: 4-3, 4.39 ERA, 29K, 1.38 WHIP in 8 starts

Silva: 14-8, 4.21 ERA, 76K, 1.43 WHIP
Lohse: 9-13, 5.34 ERA, 111K, 1.63 WHIP
Mays(2003): 8-8, 6.30 ERA, 50K, 1.52 WHIP

Bullpen Edge Twins

After looking at this, someone please explain how the Twins are being picked to win the World Series by anyone. Ain't happening this year.

Edit to add:

Manager Gardenhire vs Trammel, Edge Tigers

Overall, very slight edge to the Twins

[Dead]

Hate to break it to you, but Randy Johnson > Santana. Santana was just average before 2002.

If Santana has a decent year this year, then we can re-examine it, but Randy Johnson had a similar ERA last year, 25 more K's, and a lower WHIP. You can't say Santana is the best pitcher in baseball just because he had more wins and is younger. Randy Johnson also allowed 6 less HR's than Santana. But hey, I understand that you're a Twins fan, so you'll want to say that your guy is better. We also have better #2 and #3 guys than you in Mussina and Pavano.

Face it, RJ > Santana.

1999 35 ARI NL 17 9 35 35 12 2 0 0 271.7 207 86 75 30 70 364 9 4 1079 2.48 4.43 178
2000 36 ARI NL 19 7 35 35 8 3 0 0 248.7 202 89 73 23 76 347 6 5 1001 2.64 4.68 177
2001 37 ARI NL 21 6 35 34 3 2 1 0 249.7 181 74 69 19 71 372 18 8 994 2.49 4.58 184
2002 38 ARI NL 24 5 35 35 8 4 0 0 260.0 197 78 67 26 71 334 13 3 1035 2.32 4.40 190
2003 39 ARI NL 6 8 18 18 1 1 0 0 114.0 125 61 54 16 27 125 8 1 489 4.26 4.67 110
2004 40 ARI NL 16 14 35 35 4 2 0 0 245.7 177 88 71 18 44 290 10 3 964 2.60 4.44 171