Predicting the Twins' Final 28 Games

[Nash Walker]

There are 28 games remaining. The Twins have a 1/2 game lead over both Cleveland and Chicago. Here’s how I see the rest of the season panning out:The Twins need their third baseman back. Josh Donaldson played and didn’t hit much in seven games, but he brings more than you think to the table. Donaldson is playing in live intrasquad games in St.Paul (and hitting homers).

 

 

The Twins need Byron Buxton back, too. They just aren’t as good without him.

 

Despite his struggles, Mitch Garver is an asset. His absence takes another dynamic from the team.

 

Cody Stashak, who struck out the side in Milwaukee in his last outing before hitting the IL with lower back inflammation, is on the mend.

 

Donaldson, Buxton, Michael Pineda, and Stashak could all return August 31 when the Twins come home from the 10-game roadtrip. Garver’s intercostal strain is still healing, so he won’t be back when eligible.

 

The Twins should be near full strength for the home stretch. Here’s what I think of the remaining schedule:

 

 

The Tigers have played decent baseball in 2020. The Tigers are still a very bad baseball team. The Twins went 14-5 against Detroit last year with a +43 run differential. Predicting an 8-2 record this year is admittedly my most ambitious prediction, but would you be surprised? I wouldn’t.

 

The White Sox look legit through 31 games. The offense is firing on all cylinders and their pitching staff has been a surprise plus. The Twins will battle the South Siders and I ultimately predict a 6-4 season series, with the Twins going 4-3 in the remaining games.

 

Cleveland struck back at home this week to nudge their record to 3-4 against Minnesota. The Twins have been excellent at Target Field, playing to a 12-3 record, the best in baseball. Their last three games against Cleveland will be there. I predict a series win.

 

The Twins embarrassed the Cardinals in a two-game sweep in late July. They’ll play the Cards in a double header at Busch Stadium September 8th. A split is the most likely scenario.

 

The Cubs surprised out of the gate but have since faltered. This will be a fun series and I see Chicago just edging out the Twins for a series win.

 

The Reds were supposed to be electric this summer. They haven’t been. They are 11-17. The Twins could still see Luis Castillo, Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray. I think they’ll take two of three, but going 3-3 against Cincy and Chicago combined should be the goal.

 

Record prediction of remaining games: 18-10

Final record: 38-22

Place: 1st

 

What do you think? What will be the Twins’ final record?

 

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[DocBauer]

More or less, I think you are just about spot on.

 

My biggest disappointments in the 60 game season has been so few games against the NLC, and too many games against the same ALC opponents bunched together. Why on earth couldn't the divisional games have been spread out more for each half?

 

I'm still holding out hope for 40 wins with some guys coming back healthy.

[h2oface]

All tied up now. And Cleveland and Chicago even have greater run differentials by 8 and 6. This team can't win on predictions and what it looks like on paper. Going 5-5 against KC, and performing like they did in the later innings the last two games against Cleveland and I am not near so optimistic. And now two more double headers with Detroit. No fearsome offense to be seen and they need luck. I would take 18-10 for sure.

[h2oface]

 

Why on earth couldn't the divisional games have been spread out more for each half?

 

Less travel, less varied exposure in the grouping. There is a virus that will shut things down in a wink, after all. Seems smart to me.

[AlwaysinModeration]

Ok, since no one has stated the obvious yet, I’ll go ahead and do it: 28-0.

[Old Twins Cap]

Without fans, with a likely bubble hub, playoff positioning matters less than ever.

 

They will make the playoffs; if they play well, they will advance.

 

When the year started, if was pitching and defense, Cruz, Rosario and Kepler winning them ballgames.

 

At this point, we don't know what's going to click for them or take them south to an early exit. 

[mikelink45]

This season is so erratic that you could reverse your predictions and have just as much chance to be right.  I have no idea what will happen, who will recover and be good (recovery is not enough), who will get injured next, if our BP can stand up to the overuse - even with so many arms.  I will predict a 500 record the remainder of the season until these players come back and perform at the level that we expect.  If they are all back August 31 and playing well I will still hedge and say 16 - 12.  Watch out for the White Sox and the Indians - not only are they good clubs, but we have created a Romo backlash that helps motivate them.

[denarded]

This may be off the rails by sundown

[ashbury]

This may be off the rails by sundown

So far, so good. After today's first game, they are right on track to take the series 3 games to 1.

 

[ashbury]

Record prediction of remaining games: 18-10

Final record: 38-22

Place: 1st

 

What do you think? What will be the Twins’ final record?

It's somewhat cheating since I didn't view this article until a game is already in the books, but I'll go with 12-16. That goes 32-28, if my California math didn't fail me. Third place.

 

 

[mikelink45]

I feel stronger with my prediction (which was made before the DH) - Let's see the Twins are now 5 - 7 vs Detroit and KC.  Yup, those are bad teams and we will feast on them.  Time for the team to wake up.