For Real?

[stringer bell]

The Twins just completed a very successful trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, winning four of five games and finally catching (and technically passing) the Tigers.  The club is at their high-water mark of seven games over .500 and returns home to face the Red Sox and Blue Jays in their next two series. 

 

The team is third in run-scoring and in the middle of the pack for runs allowed.  There are soft spots in the lineup, but no real holes, and there seem to be replacements available for the team's biggest weaknesses.  The Twins have been great at home (14-6) and they have clobbered left handed pitching.  Paul Molitor has done a fine job as a rookie manager, mixing traditional with innovation.

 

I don't know if the Twins can contend.  I am believing more after this road trip than I have at any time this year.  The offense, just like last year, has found the whole exceeding the sum of the parts.  The pitching staff this year has been better than their metrics.  The infield defense is pretty good and the outfield defense has improved dramatically with the recent addition of Aaron Hicks and Eddie Rosario. 

 

I am in favor of reworking the bullpen and perhaps recalling a position player or two who could provide more offense.  There are minor league players who could offer an upgrade.  Just a reminder, the Twins have been in playoff position for almost all of the last two weeks. 

[JB_Iowa]

I've gained more confidence the last couple of weeks. A good road trip and pitchers that look like they belong in the majors (and one in Rochester just awaiting a roster spot).

 

This just has a far different feel than the last few years. I don't know how far Paul Molitor can take this team but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Bark's Lounge]

I agree with JB about the feel dynamic. It's quite different, these guys really believe as of now.

 

They seem to be a cohesive group of players. They have fight, it seems like they want to blow **** up and they have each others backs. They are having fun and baseball is suppose to be fun.

 

I think the managerial change and the addition of T-Hunt are a big part of it, along with the extra year the players from last year's roster have accrued.

 

I would imagine that this team is gonna have a lull at some point and at this point it is hard to predict if the Twins go south or north.

 

But I will say this - I really like this team and this is the beginning of something good. They might win 78 games or 86 games and both results are alright with me.

 

We have promising additions on the horizon and what is going on now is really good.

 

The teams are different, but I feel this team is like the 2001 Twins, pretty good, but not good enough.

 

I believe they will hit the .500 mark and that is frickin' awesome considering where we were at - if we can accomplish this it is my Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Delight.

 

This elevator is going up and there is no down button on this contraption.

 

I definitely expect the Twins to compete for a playoff spot in 2016. I pull back on 2015, but anything is possible!

[diehardtwinsfan]

if they keep winning games, they cannot be ignored.  Only 2 teams in the AL have a better record right now.  I get the pythag thing, but that's a bit skewed by how bad they got beat up week one.  I still think they will likely finish a bit closer to .500, but this team is reminding me a lot like the 2001 team before the Twins went on a run. 

[blairpaul715]

I notice i have an extra hop in my step these days, and it is cuz the Twins are winning!!!!! Incredible how something so unimportant in our REAL world , makes us feel so good or down LOL................I have a good life, but the Twins winning makes it extra special

[Blackjack]

The key has been the starting pitching, its kept them in most games, if it continues, I think they are for real.

 

It will be interesting to see how they react to a five game losing streak and it will be interesting to see how they play against all the teams from the East.

 

I hope we're still having this discussion at the All-Star break. For now I'm enjoying the ride!!

[Circus Boy]

The enduring memory of the season so far was pitching coach Neil Allen razzing J.R. Graham after Graham tossed three innings of shutout ball versus the Pirates in extras last week. Everyone in the dugout was laughing and feeling great, and Mauer's homer was yet to come. Allen's got the pitchers trending toward the top of their game. And Molitor has been a breath of fresh air, as well. (And I loved Anderson and Gardie. But the players weren't listening anymore.)

 

I like all the comments above. I would take it one step further, that this team reminds me more of the 1987 and 1991 teams. The '87 team started out 5-1 and was 20-23 before catching fire. The '91 team -- last the year before -- started 2-9 and was still 20-24 before its 15-game winning streak. I get the sense with this season's team that something's building, that every pitcher has the potential to be a stopper, that every batter can be the hero any night. Good coaching, maturing players = more wins.

[goulik]

I think Neil Allens contributions cannot be ignored in the "new feel to this team" discussion though I wish he'd work some magic on Hughes