Cold weather or not the 2018 version of the Minnesota Twins should be well defined by the end of this month. They really need a win this evening to avoid a losing road trip to start the season. Then a 12 game home stand in weather that the Vikings would play in doors which is ironic. Maybe the Vikings stadium could be set up for baseball.

When the Twins head for Tampa on the 20th to play in doors in 80 deg weather, we should have a sold idea as to what to expect for May-September.

While in general I think the Twins need to win every game they play, I don't think of any game this early on as a 'must win'. Yes, I think it's important they get off to a good start, and hope that they do as I do every year, but I just have difficulties saying the 5th game of the season is a 'must win.'

While in general I think the Twins need to win every game they play, I don't think of any game this early on as a 'must win'. Yes, they need to get to a good start, and hope that they do, but I just have difficulties saying the 5th game of the season is a 'must win.'

exactly. games won in April have the same importance and value as games won in September. The tension or the urgency may not be the same, but the value is.

Edited April 4, 20188 yr by jimmer

I do think it's more valuable for teams to start heating up in August-September to gain momentum for the playoffs. I've seen plenty of teams in several sports have great first halves to the season and then cool down in the 2nd half and make a quick playoff exit. I do think it's more important to play your best baseball later in the year (which is obvious because that's when the playoffs are).

 

Not to say that April games aren't valuable - you can't afford to dig yourself in a 9 game losing streak to start the year, but going .500 is acceptable. You don't squander these early games but most teams that go on crazy April and May runs (remember the 2015 Twins?) don't end up bringing that success to their playoff runs.

In 1991, the Twins were 23-25 after losing to KC 4-1 on May 31st.

 

They then snapped off 15 in a row, climbing from 5th place to 1st place in the AL West.

 

They were tied in first for a couple of days, but then cruised to an easy AL West title by 8 games.

 

Interesting, useless side note to this story:  The end of the game that snapped the Twins 15 game winning streak in Baltimore was being watched by Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee in his house in the movie 'A Few Good Men.'   He couldn't handle the end of that streak, either.

 

Also, the Twins 0-9 start to the dismal 2016 season pretty much put them out of the race by mid-May.

 

Point being- you can't win the division in April, but you sure can lose it.  

Edited April 4, 20188 yr by Doubles

Great win yesterday. They did exactly what was needed in the first 5 on the road and did it after losing the first game. I think if they can win 7 of the 12 games on the home stand (very doable and not too much to ask) that will put them +3 heading to Tampa. I agree August and September are when its all settled but this team is still a work in progress. If they are to contend in September I think they need to be over the .500 mark headed into May and actually headed into the Yankees series.

Other than Rodney giving up the game winner to Jones in Balt, the bull pen has been lights out so far. Nice to see sano 3-5.

Go Twins!