Twins

If the 2015 Minnesota Twins have any hope of contending in the AL Central it requires Joe Mauer's level of offensive productivity to return to his career norm.

Certainly a gross oversimplification considering he can’t pitch or cover the outfield but the lineup functions much better when he is healthy and hitting. Fortunately, just last month Mauer told KSTP that “this is the most productive offseason I've had in a long time.”

It's going to be a crowded weekend for sports fans. Gorgeous weather plus the dreaded White Sox mean it's a perfect weekend to catch a game - but which one? As usual, we break it down scientifically:

Best Game To Watch An Ace Pitcher Before He Serves A Suspension

The White Sox had two pitchers suspended for “five games”: Chris Sale and Jeff Samardzija. But Samardzija pitched in Wednesday’s bizarre empty-ballpark game, so Twins fans will only get to watch Sale this series. He pitches Thursday night.

What a strange season. I didn't think the Twins would be playing decent baseball as the calendar switched to July. I didn't think that Byron Buxton would be up, after his essentially lost 2014 season. I didn't think Trevor May would be (as of late) the team's most dominant starting pitcher. And I sure didn't think this proverbial ragtag bunch of misfits would -- if the season ended today -- be a wild card contending team.