Why the Twins will struggle to make the playoffs

The Minnesota Twins have completed their first 97 games and are seven games over .500, despite being picked by many to finish near the bottom of the central division. They’ve done it with solid starting pitching, timely hitting and the a core of young players who appear to be developing well. It’s led to a resurgence of hope among Twins fans, many of whom had given up hope after four years of serious struggles.

This feels a lot like the Twins 2001 season, when at one point they were in the American League Central Division lead but couldn’t hold it. They won the next three division titles and three of the following five before this recent stretch of poor play. In 2001, the Twins had a core group of young talent that included Tori Hunter, Jaque Jones, Christian Guzman, Corey Koskie, Doug Mankevitchz, and pitchers Joe Mays and Eric Milton. That group, along with veterans Brad Radke and additional pieces Shannon Stewart, Kenny Rogers and others, helped the Twins win three-straight titles in what was a weak AL Central.

The central isn’t weak like that anymore, with Kansas City arguably the top team in the American League and the Tigers having two aces and power hitters in their lineup. But the Twins have a new group of core prospects that could lead to a resurgence. It will start with strong man Miguel Sano, who has shown poise and power in his brief Major League career. Byron Buxton struggled but has the speed and tools to succeed. Aaron Hicks could be coming around, though I doubt he has the work ethic to succeed in the Majors. And Eddie Rosario and Danny Santana could be helpful fielders and okay hitters. But it’s at least a year away until they put it togehter.

This season, however, the team will struggle down the stretch because of its okay hitting and lack of a bullpen. Tori Hunter, Joe Mauer and Trevor Plouffe is not a very inspiring middle of the order, though Sano would make a huge difference. The rotation is good and deep but the bullpen has really struggled. The Twins need to add a power arm there if they want a chance.

The Twins are too erratic hitting, and don’t have a powerful enough rotation to make a deep playoff run this year, and odds are one of the more experienced teams such as the Orioles, Blue Jays or Tigers will catch them. Even if they make the Wild Card game, they will struggle against a Houston Astros team with a proven ace in Dallas Kunchel. It’s been a fun ride and should be a good next few years, but this won’t be the Twins season to make some postseason magic.