The Minnesota Twins were expected to contend for the American League Central division championship this season. Things were a bit rocky from the get go, but believe it or not, the Twins were the last team to put someone on the disabled list this season when Tsuyoshi Nishioka broke his leg at Yankee Stadium on April 7th.
Since then, the Twins have lost significant time to injuries throughout the season, and it hasn't been role players. Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jim Thome, Denard Span, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan were all key cogs in the Twins 2010 championship drive, and all have spent time on the disabled list in 2011. Losing players like that would cripple any team, but still...after the Twins found themselves 16.5 games back on June 2nd, they've climbed within 6.5 at the all-star break.
So, the question is how can the Twins get over that final hurdle and become the 2011 American League Central Division Champions of the world?
1) TWINS NEED MAUER AND MORNEAU TO BOUNCE BACK TO SOMEWHAT OLD FORM
As I've mentioned before, the Twins aren't going to get Joe Mauer's 2009 numbers ever again, but it's reasonable to expect Mauer to knock one out of the park now and then and do something other than ground to second with runners on base.
Morneau's situation is a little bit trickier. The more I hear people talk, the more people think that Morneau will never be the same player again with all the pinched nerves and broken bones Morneau has suffered over the past couple of years.
With that said, they need production out of their superstars. If Mauer and Morneau can become productive players in the second half, the Twins offense will become revived and maybe get to a guy like a Justin Verlander. (But probably not Verlander, more like Carlos Carrasco or Luke Hocheaver?)
2) BILL SMITH NEEDS TO GET A QUALITY BULLPEN GUY
The relief pitcher market may get pretty deep leading up to July 31st, and the Twins need to tap into it. The Twins really need a lefty other than Glen Perkins that can get people out.
Jose "3 and 0" Mijares has been awful, and Phil Dumatrait and Alex Burnett aren't answers either. They may have solved the 8th inning log jam by a returning Joe Nathan, but it might be unwise to lean on him just yet.
Plus, who knows how long Matt Capps will be the closer. As a sign in Stillwater said the other day, "Jesus Saves and Matt Capps Doesn't"
3) TWINS NEED TO GET HEALTHY
The most obvious one of the group. The Twins have been slaughtered by injury after injury and one will wonder if the Twins can ever get fully healthy by the end of the season.
It's looking more and more like Jason Kubel won't be returning anytime soon, and who knows who might go down in the second half.
Yet, the Twins will be getting Denard Span and Delmon Young back after the all-star break, and if those two can play well, it might be enough to get the Twins over the hump.
4) THE RED WINGS NEED TO CONTRIBUTE
An interesting move that the Twins made today was calling up Trevor Plouffe from Rochester. Plouffe was up for a cup of coffee when Alexi Casilla was struggling earlier in the season, but Plouffe couldn't throw the ball to first, and Casilla got his job back.
Now, Plouffe has learned how to play first base in Rochester, and he's finally showing the power that some people expected. Plouffe has 15 HR in Rochester this season, and 3...here we go...at the major league level. With Plouffe on the other end of these throws and Morneau on the DL, could Plouffe finally break through? The Twins will have to hope so.
Also, others will have to continue to perform well. Ben Revere has been the sparkplug for the Twins, and it'll be interesting to see how much playing time he gets when the outfield gets healthy. Conventional wisdom says that Revere won't be going back to Rochester any time soon.
Finally, the one dark horse who might get called up is Kyle Gibson. His numbers haven't been great this year, but the Twins might use him as a spot starter OR the bullpen ala David Price in 2008. Gibson is a staple in the Twins future, but is the future now? If it is, he must contribute.
5) TWINS NEED A WINNING HOMESTAND COMING UP
In essence, the playoffs for the Twins are going to start right after the All-Star break. The Twins will have home field advantage as they will play 12 games at home and of those 12, 8 will be against the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers.
This homestand will carry them up until July 24th. If the Twins do well on the homestand, say 8-4 or something, the Twins will be buyers at the trade deadline. If the Twins fall on their face, the 2011 season will probably be over.
Now is the time for the Twins to make a move. They've been preaching the tortoise and the hare theory for a long time now, it's time to put up or shut up.
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