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We are at the equivalent of 8.1 games into the season with 153.9 more to go. With 5% of the season completed, now is the time to overanalyze the results from the first weekend of the season and apply these findings to how the next two months will pan out. Here are five overreactions from the first five percent.1. Kenta Maeda is the Twins’ Best Offseason Addition Although most of Monday’s headlines surrounded Nelson Cruz, Kenta Maeda quietly dominated the White Sox in his first outing as a Twin yesterday, striking out six in five innings. The pitching on both Friday and Saturday toed the line of disaster, so Maeda was the steady relief and security that Twins fans needed. His lone mistake of the day was a two-run home run to Luis Robert. Other than in the fifth, Maeda never gave up more than one hit in an inning. Josh Donaldson and Alex Avila also made their Twins debut over the weekend. Donaldson mostly made his offensive impact through walks, and Avila recorded his first hit of the season. While Donaldson and Avila both did their jobs well, it was Maeda who re-instilled faith in Twins’ pitching in fans. In a season where hitters seem to be constantly ahead, the need for great starting pitching feels more important than ever. Therefore, Maeda’s magnificent debut makes him the Twins’ best and most important offseason addition. 2. The 2020 Twins are this Season’s Equivalent of the 2019 Yankees Former Yankee Jake Cave was responsible for the Twins’ first grand slam of the season. Coincidentally, he was filling in for the injured Byron Buxton, who hit the first grand slam of last season. The other main backup players, Marwin Gonzalez, Ehire Adrianza, and Alex Avila all saw playing time over the weekend. All three players recorded at least one hit, with an insurance home run from Gonzalez yesterday. With Rocco Baldelli conservatively utilizing his starting pitchers, the Twins also saw an endless parade of bullpen pieces coming into play. Although Littell and Smeltzer struggled on Saturday, no other reliever allowed a single run for the remainder of the weekend. Between the remainder of the relievers, they only allowed five hits in 10 innings with 13 strikeouts. The Twins always had another option on hand in any situation. All of these context clues point to one thing: depth. Last season, the Yankees had 30 players land on the injured list, with only three players who remained on the roster all season. However, the Yankees still coasted to a division title with help from their never ending reserves, like when Mike Ford took over for Luke Voit who took over for Edwin Encarnacion and Greg Bird (you get the hint). This year’s Twins are reminiscent of the Yankees, where the bench players take any and every advantage of playing time to make their presence known. While we hope that the Twins don’t suffer the same injury fate of the Yankees, we can all rest assured knowing that there are others on the roster who are ready to hold down the fort, and hold down the fort well, at a moment’s notice. 3. Nelson Cruz Will Win His First Career MVP Just three games into the season, Nelson Cruz has separated himself from the pack as the most dominant player in the American League. Cruz already has 10 RBI’s this season, which is more runs batted in than the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, AND Arizona Diamondbacks. Cruz has never finished in the top five in MVP votes, and the only designated hitter to ever win an MVP was Don Baylor in 1979, who was only a part time DH. However, if Cruz can continue this monstrous pace for a month, also known as half of the season, anything is possible. 4. The Twins Should Trade Miguel Sano Hit-less Miguel Sano struck out four times this weekend in eight at bats. He currently accounts for 1/5 of the team’s strikeouts, despite only playing in two games. We’ve seen glimmers of greatness from Sano over the years, from his All-Star debut in 2017 and his impressive 57.2% of hard-hit balls in 2019. These big moments and his power and potential are what keeps Twins fans invested in Sano over the years. However, the Twins have viable options at first base and an everlasting need for additional pitching help, especially given ace Berrios’ poor outing on Opening Day. Sano could be a great NL target for a team looking for a DH with a big bat potential. The runner up in the 2017 Home Run Derby is good, but should the Twins acquire precious pitching pieces instead of waiting for him to be great? 5. We May Never See Taylor Rogers Ever Again The Twins were not in a save situation all weekend. At this rate, the Twins may never be in a save situation ever again with how dominant the offense has been and the occasional pitching glitch. Rocco Baldelli has been extremely diligent about keeping pitchers fresh during this unexpected season, so Rogers may be continuously saved for a rainy day until the season is over and we remember that Rogers is still sitting alone in the bullpen, waiting to capture a save. What are some of your biggest overreactions from Opening Weekend? Comment below! Click here to view the article

They say hindsight is 20/20, but no one could have predicted 2020. Although the offseason and spring training felt like centuries ago, there were numerous free agent signings that the Twins had hoped for that, much like the 2020 season, didn’t exactly go as planned.The Twins had hoped for additional pitching help and a powerful bat in the lineup to replace the non-tendered C.J. Cron and muscle Minnesota into a deep playoff run. Although they had missed out on huge free agents, such as Madison Bumgarner and Hyun-Jin Ryu, they made up for it in the end by trading for Kenta Maeda and signing Rich Hill and, of course, Josh Donaldson. However, an abridged 60-game season means that each game holds 2.7 times its usual value. Each win, even against non-contending teams, will be that much more important. In addition, the Twins had not anticipated facing the majority of the NL Central, possibly the most competitive division in baseball, where numerous key free agents eventually landed. Although the Twins are still the favorites to once again take the division title, the road ahead of them is less predictable than it once seemed. Therefore, looking back, there are some players with team-friendly contracts that the Twins should’ve signed in the offseason, not only to supplement the team, but also to avoid facing in general this season. Here are four examples. C.J. Cron Contract: 1 year, $6.1M Every win against the Tigers is critical. Last season, Cleveland was almost flawless against Detroit, losing only one game to the Tigers. This same dominance can be expected this season from the Twins’ biggest division rival. Therefore, the Twins have to be equally flawless in 2020 in games against the Tigers to not lose their footing against Cleveland. However, C.J. Cron can put a damper on that. Although the Tigers have very few offensive pieces, Cron will be one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup. In his six years in the majors, Cron has been consistently hitting roughly between .250 and .260, with his home run numbers ticking upwards every season. In addition, Cron’s familiarity with the Twins’ pitching will make him that much more of a difficult out. Even though he would’ve been a backup first baseman for the Twins, his numbers show that he would’ve been a highly effective one. Although the Tigers could potentially win single digit games this season, keep an eye on Cron, who could ensure that each single digit win is against Minnesota. Dallas Keuchel Contract: 3 year, $55.5M It goes without saying that the Twins should’ve signed one of the biggest pitching free agents in the 2019-2020 market. Dallas Keuchel is now one of the key pieces in the White Sox’s rotation and is looking to help take Chicago to the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Last season, Minnesota took the division when Cleveland fumbled too many games against Chicago, losing 10 out of 19 games. With a stronger White Sox team, the momentum could shift, leading to a division title shift to Ohio, or even possibly Illinois. Although the Twins have a good rotation with their offseason additions, they could’ve had a great rotation with this former Cy Young winner. His career 3.67 ERA and 1.260 WHIP on paper are nothing to scoff at, but his vast experience, especially in the postseason, are immeasurable. Cameron Maybin Contract: 1 year, $1.5M Cameron Maybin slipped under the radar in 2019 as a backup outfielder for the injury-riddled New York Yankees. However, he silently feasted off of AL Central teams, including the Twins. Maybin quietly batted a .293 with 9 runs and 2 home runs in 41 at bats. Maybin also infamously pinch hit the last home run for the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS in 2019. On top of this, Maybin stole nine bases, which is more than Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario, and Jonathan Schoop combined, despite playing less than half of the time. Maybin signed with the Tigers in the offseason to a 1-year, $1.5M deal as their everyday outfielder. Not only will Cameron Maybin likely continue to produce offensively in his but he will take a few bases along with him. Like Cron, Maybin can place a damper on an expected win against the Tigers. In December’s The 12 FA’s of Christmas Part II, it was discussed how the Twins’ lack of depth in the outfield was exposed last season. Had the Twins taken Maybin’s team-friendly deal on, he would’ve been an excellent, experienced replacement outfielder or pinch runner for Nelson Cruz. Justin Smoak Contract: 1 year, $5.0M In my December 2019 article, The 12 FA’s of Christmas Part I, I discussed how the Twins should sign Justin Smoak to a 1-year, $5M contract. The Brewers did just that, by signing the Canadian fan favorite to a 1-year, $5M contract. Although Miguel Sano is now the everyday first baseman with the offseason signing of Josh Donaldson, his defensive metrics are still a cause for concern. Although Smoak’s offensive production has not been potent since his 2017 All-Star selection, Smoak will still be a difficult out in the Brewers’ lineup, and his defensive metrics are a major asset to that team. Is there another player under the radar who you wish that the Twins signed to a team-friendly contract to avoid facing? Comment below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Eight months after the Nationals won the World Series, the MLB announced the return of America’s favorite pastime. The Twins are slated to play 40 of the 60-game season against the AL Central, with the remaining 20 spread among the NL Central. The abbreviated schedule puts much more emphasis on each game.All eyes are on Jose Berrios as a dark horse Cy Young candidate, Jose Donaldson’s first season as a Twin, and Byron Buxton’s return to the outfield. While the former Bomba Squad seems to have all the pieces needed for a deep run in an expanded postseason, there are a few speed bumps along the way who could alter the course for the Twins. Here are five non-Twins who could help decide the fate of the 2020 season. 1. Yasmani Grandal After losing Alex Avila to the Twins, the Chicago White Sox signed a four-year, $73 million contract with the All-Star catcher. Previously, Grandal had spent a year in Milwaukee as a Brewer. The Twins played two close series against the Brewers in 2019, with Minnesota taking two of four games. Grandal shined in both series and drove in four runs, including a monstrous three-run home run off of Ryne Harper. This year will be Grandal’s first appearance in the American League, and he looks to continue to do damage on the Twins. Grandal is one of the most disciplined players in the league and led the NL last season in walk percentage. Aside from his offensive prowess, according to Statcast, Grandal’s called strike percent on borderline takes is rated the second best in baseball. Keep a close eye on Grandal this season, both behind and at the plate. 2. Dawel Lugo This Detroit Tigers’ infielder is on no one’s radar. Last season, he finished with a .245 BA, six HR, and a -0.5 WAR. His .976 fielding percentage is average at best, and after two seasons in the majors, Lugo has not made a big enough impact to even be in the everyday lineup for the Tigers. Therefore, why is he so important and could be so detrimental for the Twins? Despite his seemingly unimpressive stats, Lugo absolutely rakes against the Twins. Last season, Lugo had a .396 BA against the Twins, with 19 hits, six doubles, and five RBI in 13 games. Alternatively, Lugo only hit .118 off of the Cleveland Indians in a similar number of at bats. Last season, the key to the Twins’ success in the AL Central was their dominance against the Tigers, White Sox, and Royals. The Indians losing critical games against weaker division rivals turned out to be their downfall in winning a playoff spot. In order for the Twins to clinch a division title in 2020, they must continue this trend of dominating their weaker divisional opponents. A stronger White Sox will prove to be a bigger challenge this season, so it is even more important that the Twins take every victory against Detroit than last year. Unfortunately, Lugo can throw a wrench into this. 3. Mike Clevinger Although the Indians traded their ace Corey Kluber in the offseason, a new ace has emerged in the form of Mike Clevinger. Clevinger had a devastatingly dominant season last year, and he shows no sign of stopping. The team that has the highest career batting average against Clevinger is the Detroit Tigers, with a measly .212 BA. In fact, the only other team with a batting average above .200 in the AL Central is the Twins. With an average of six innings per game, each team essentially only has three innings to score whenever Clevinger takes the mound. The Twins will have to heavily capitalize on these late innings to capture Clevinger-led games. 4. Alex Colome Alex Colome was one of the best closers in baseball last year and will play a big factor in the White Sox’s success this season. A key late-inning comeback or victory is always difficult against Colome, but when each divisional game is significantly more valuable in 2020, Colome will prove to be much more than just a difficult opponent, In 2019, Colome had 30 saves in 63 appearances, with Twins batters hitting only .174 against him. Colome only allowed 11 runs total from AL Central teams last season, with 7 those from the Detroit Tigers. In every situation, Colombe has proven to be a reliable closer. With no one on base, batters had a .187 batting average against him. However, with the bases loaded, batters had an even less advantageous .143 batting average against him. It’s no question that the White Sox have a stronger rotation this season with Dallas Keuchel in the mix. Therefore, the Twins may have to depend on more late inning comebacks to snatch a victory against Chicago, which always proves to be a challenge with Colome in the bullpen. 5. Trevor Bauer Will there ever be a day where Trevor Bauer’s name is no longer synonymous with Max Kepler? I hope not. Contrary to the players above, Bauer can positively affect the trajectory of the Twins this season. The Twins could capitalize on games against the Reds with Bauer on the mound and Kepler in the lineup. Nothing more needs to be said beyond this. Which players are you the most worried about this season but didn't make the list? Comment below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Although the NBA and NHL have officially announced return plans, the MLB has dominated the headlines in every subject except an official return date. The negotiations between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have resulted in endless counteroffers, which have confused and frustrated fans. Having trouble keeping track of it all? Here is a definitive timeline of every proposal and event in MLB’s 2020 season showdown.*Critical professional Non-MLB sports' events denoted in italics March 12th: MLB season is indefinitely postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Major League Baseball announced that the 2020 regular season will be delayed by at least 2 weeksMarch 26th: Commissioner Rob Manfred agrees to pay full prorated salaries for a season of any length after discussions with the Players Association April 10th: MLB considers Grapefruit and Cactus leagues In this realignment, the Twins would be in the Grapefruit League South with the Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore OriolesMay 5th: Korean Baseball Organization (KBO)’s opening day April 28th: MLB further discusses a realignment plan of three divisions, combining the American League teams with the National League teams May 11th: MLB owners approve a plan with an early July start, 82-game season, 30-man roster and 20-player taxi squad, 14-team postseason, and 50/50 revenue split among players and owners May 13th: PGA Tour officially announces plans to restart in mid-June May 20th: MLB formally proposes plan to the players, including a safety protocol, financial losses, a universal DH, and further details of the 2020 season. Rumors of financial disagreements begin to swirl. Plan is rejected by the union. May 26th: ESPN’s Jeff Passan announces a new 82-game proposal by owners, which includes a sliding scale of salaries Under this proposal, the highest paid player in baseball, Mike Trout, would make 20% of his total salary in 2020. The highest paid Twin, Josh Donaldson, would be paid similarly. Opening day would still occur in early July, and a 21-day spring training would kick off the season. A playoff bonus is included in this proposal. Plan is rejected by the unionMay 26th: NHL releases a “Return to Play Plan” to complete their postponed 2019 - 2020 season, with a modified competitive format of 24 playoff teams in 2 hub cities. May 31st: The MLBPA counters with a 114-game proposal with no salary cuts and a June 30th opening day. This plan allows players who are uncomfortable playing to opt out and expanded playoffs for the next 2 years June 1st: MLB proposes a 50-60 game season and agree to pay their players prorated salaries, which was already agreed upon on March 26th The maximum number of games a team can currently play in the postseason is 20June 3rd: MLS ratifies a new collective bargaining agreement and a plan to resume their postponed 2020 season June 3rd: MLB rejects MLBPA’s offer of 114 games with no salary cuts June 4th: NBA approves 22-team format to complete their postponed 2019 - 2020 season June 8th: MLB proposes a 76-game season with 75% prorated salaries, a 16-team postseason, and playoff bonuses MLB has given MLBPA three days to respond to this latest offer (June 11th)June 9th: The MLBPA is preparing a proposal for an 89-game season with full prorated salaries and expanded playoffs, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. UPDATED June 12th: The MLB counter-proposes 72-game season starting July 14th, with expanded rosters, 80% prorated salaries, and an option for any player to opt out. The deadline for an agreement is Sunday, June 14th, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. After three months, zero progress has been made in determining a 2020 plan. However, time is quickly running out for both sides. Leave your thoughts below on when and how you think this will all conclude. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Early May, ESPN producer Patrick Truby asked the Twitter-verse: Who is the “coolest” person in baseball? Popular players like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr, and Bryce Harper led in votes in this arbitrary poll. This week, MLB’s Will Leitch followed up with his own list of the coolest players on every team. Like the question itself, Leitch’s explanation of why Byron Buxton was the coolest Twin was vague. Therefore, I broke it down further with the definitive list of the coolest Minnesota Twins with, hopefully, a little bit more clarity into what makes each of these players individually “cool”.5. Max Kepler, OF Max Kepler’s feud with Trevor Bauer automatically landed him on this list. It didn’t even matter that Maximilian Kepler-Różycki is the most distinguished European baseball player of all time, owns a French bulldog named Remi, or speaks English, German, and Polish fluently. Earning a tennis scholarship sponsored by Steffi Graf in Berlin hardly matters after hitting five home runs off of Bauer. Download attachment: Max.png *Instagram link 4. Byron Buxton, OF Can you believe it? Leitch’s pick is number four on this list. Before Buck was selected second overall in the 2014 draft, he was an all-star pitcher with a 99 mph fastball and quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back on his high school team. This five-tool player’s health and speed keeps his name on everyone’s lips. As the only Gold Glove winner on this list, Buxton has solidified his coolness status indefinitely. 3. Jose Berrios, RHP This first-round pick’s nickname is “La Makina”, which literally translates to “the machine”. Any person whose moniker indicates anything mechanic or robotic adds major points in the coolness column. Javier Baez is Berrios’ brother-in-law, who Leitch deemed the coolest Cub. Although Berrios did not hit any home runs in 2019, he allowed only 26 in 200 1/3 IP, which was fewer than Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Trevor Bauer. 2. Eddie Rosario, OF Eddie Rosario seems to have it all: power, speed, style. This Puerto Rican native is the king of pitches outside of the zone. He’s aggressive and fearless both inside and outside of the park. On the first pitch he ever saw in the big leagues, Rosario hit an opposite-field home run with his family in the stands. According to the Baseball Almanac, Rosario shares a record with Joe DiMaggio of hitting 15 or more triples in their rookie seasons. Baseball aside, Rosario’s style is undeniable. His Instagram is a feast for the eyes, from galas with the likes of DJ Khaled and Jay Z to his newest hairstyles and accessories. No one can pull off a Mohawk with blonde highlights, a silver chain, and razor sharp eyebrows quite like him. Rosario oozes coolness from every pore. Download attachment: Rosie.png *Instagram link 1. Josh Donaldson, 3B There may be no one in baseball cooler than Josh Donaldson. At this point, it seems like Donaldson has lived four lives, with each life as fulfilling as the next. His first life in Oakland cemented him as a perennial All-Star, and his second led to MVP honors over Mike Trout and his status as the most beloved player in Canada. Just when his career had fizzled into a drizzle, he revived himself in Atlanta. At 34-years-old, Donaldson still has plenty more on his plate to serve in Minnesota. Be on the lookout for a big Auburn flag and a Mohawk cut with a samurai tail billowing around the Twin Cities. Oh, and he played a Viking warrior on the History Channel. Honorary Mentions: Sergio Romo, Willians Astudillo, Trevor May MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Max Kepler had a breakout season in 2019 with 36 home runs, a 16.6 strikeout percentage, and the highest WAR of any Twin. One of the most famous narratives that surrounded Kepler was his dominance over former division rival, Trevor Bauer. Kepler’s ownership over Bauer began on June 3rd, when he homered in three straight at-bats against Bauer. He continued his streak on July 13th, when he also homered off Bauer two more times. This helped Kepler earn a spot in the record books next to Carlos Delgado and Frank Howard as the only three players to homer in five straight at-bats since 1961.On April 1st, Bauer released a 34-minute Youtube video breaking down every single one of Kepler’s five home runs in detail. Bauer’s breakdown was widely requested among Twins fans and broke down every mechanic of every pitch thrown in these five at-bats in addition to every at-bat Kepler had against Bauer in 2019. Bauer candidly discusses the at-bats leading up to the infamous home run streak, physical adjustments that Kepler had made during the offseason, and how Bauer was able to finally end their duel. Twins fans were left heartbroken when Bauer moved across Ohio to the Cincinnati Reds after the trade deadline. The Twins were not scheduled to play the Reds in 2020, which left a desire from fans for closure between the two. While it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Bauer signs a deal with the Twins after Odorizzi’s departure, fans were not expecting a reunion to come so soon. Yesterday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today announced that Major League Baseball Officials are cautiously optimistic that baseball will start in late June and no later than July 2nd. While fans feared that the season would be cut in half or canceled altogether, executives state that teams will play at least 100 games. However, MLB would eliminate the traditional American and National Leagues and combine each division based on their geographical location. The Central division would consist of the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs and White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers, and of course, the Cincinnati Reds. While most fans on social media are ecstatic about the possibility of the Dodgers and Astros playing in the Western division together, Twins fans have the frequent reunions between Kepler and Bauer to look forward to. While it's not known what the schedules and match ups look like right now, all signs are pointing to future at-bats and more home runs on the horizon. Maybe in 2021, Bauer will personally bring on Kepler in his next video to discuss the next record broken by Kepler. Until then, enjoy Bauer’s breakdown and these recaps of Kepler’s five home runs. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

If the season had started as scheduled, the Twins would have wrapped up their fourth series of the year today, April 9th. A week prior, fans from across the world would have gathered hours early at Target Field for the quarter-zip giveaway and raised a hot dog in unison for the home team.Given the state of the world, it’s unknown when both of these “days” will occur in the future. However, aside from MLB the Show 20, the most baseball fun that we can have is to play the “what-if” game for how the season could’ve kicked off for the Twins if the season started as scheduled. What could the match-ups have looked like? Who would’ve had the advantage in each series? What would the AL Central standings have looked like today? Let the kids play! March 26th - 29th: Opening Series @ Athletics Game 1: Jose Berrios v. Mike Fiers Game 2: Jake Odorizzi v. Sean Manaea Game 3: Kenta Maeda v. Frankie Montas Game 4: Homer Bailey v. Jesus Luzardo Prediction: Twins split the series against the Athletics The Twins would’ve kicked off the year with one of the toughest series on their schedule. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale picked the Oakland Athletics to not only take the AL West crown but also face the Dodgers in the World Series. Other than the now infamous Mike Fiers, Oakland seemingly does not have a big-name ace. However, Oakland quietly has one of the strongest rotations in baseball. Sean Manaea had a quiet but extraordinary start to 2019 before his shoulder surgery, and Frankie Montas posted a 2.63 ERA prior to his suspension. Jesus Luzardo is their rookie, who is seeking his Randy Dobnak moment. However, Jose Berrios, a Cy Young dark horse candidate, is notoriously impressive on opening day and the first half of the season. Jake Odorizzi doesn’t dominate the Athletics, but his consistency cannot be ignored. Kenta Maeda has only had 10 at bats against Oakland hitters throughout his career, with only one hit allowed from Stephen Piscotty. Lastly, no one knows his former team better than Homer Bailey. Overall, this series is well matched and very competitive, with pitchers looking to prove themselves for a myriad of reasons after notorious events of 2019. With the Twins’ spotted history against the Athletics, the most that can be hoped for is a split series. March 30th - 1st: @ Mariners Game 1: Randy Dobnak v. Marco Gonzales Game 2: Jose Berrios v. Yusei Kikuchi Game 3: Jake Odorizzi v. Justus Sheffield Prediction: Twins sweep the Mariners Like in 2019, the Twins will completely overwhelm the Mariners in this series (who could forget that infamous 18-4 game?). The Mariners are looking to rebuild their team in an extraordinary division. They have very little offensive power, and their greatest pitching roadblock is found in former first round pick Justus Sheffield. April 2nd - 5th: Home Opener vs. Athletics Game 1: Kenta Maeda v. Frankie Montas Game 2: Homer Bailey v. Jesus Luzardo Game 3: Randy Dobnak v. Chris Bassitt Prediction: The Twins will win 1 of 3 Refreshed from a series sweep, the Twins will once again face off against Oakland, with Maeda and Bailey back on the mound and Randy Dobnak facing the team for the first time. It’s a very tough call as to which team will take the series. Game 3 is the only matchup where the Twins have a slight pitching advantage. Previously, the Twins have not fared well against the Athletics and often lose very close games. Pessimistically following the previous pattern, I don’t expect this to change. April 6th - 9th: vs. Indians Game 1: Jose Berrios v. Shane Bieber Game 2: Jake Odorizzi v. Aaron Civale Game 3: Kenta Maeda v. Zach Plesac Prediction: Twins take 2 of 3, wins in Game 2 Last season, the Twins made a statement during their first series against Cleveland by stunning Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. Since then, Kluber has been traded to the Rangers, and Cookie and their ace Mike Clevinger are battling injuries. However, the Twins can be expected to make a similar statement towards a younger but similarly competitive Cleveland rotation. The secret weapon in this series lies in Jake Odorizzi. Odorizzi has previously silenced the bats of the Cleveland Indians with hitters batting a career .205 against him. Odorizzi’s dominance and consistency is a surefire win against Aaron Civale. In addition, during his tenure as a Dodger, Kenta Maeda has previously seen two of the Indians’ best hitters, Cesar Hernandez and Franmil Reyes, which leaves very few surprises in store for him. Current AL Central Standings: Cleveland Indians (9-5)Minnesota Twins (8-5)Chicago White Sox (6-6)Kansas City Royals (5-7)Detroit Tigers (4-8)How do you think the first three weeks of the season would’ve unfolded? Leave your predictions and thoughts below! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Like most of the world, I’ve been spending the majority of my time on the internet. Recently, I’ve been watching a lot of Youtube videos where average people like myself attempt a celebrity or athlete’s diet for a day. I’ve also been spending a lot of time in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes and attempting to bake decadent desserts (that always turns into ordering said dessert from a professional establishment). Therefore, I decided to combine my two new hobbies and my established love of baseball to attempt to eat like the Minnesota Twins for a day. Unfortunately, the internet does not have much information about what our favorite athletes typically consume on a daily basis. Therefore, I would like to thank my friend and fellow Twins Daily contributor, TCAnelle, for digitally lending me her copy of From Our Clubhouse to Your Kitchen by the Twins’ Wives (@MNTwinsWives). I picked out three of the most delicious (ok fine...most foolproof) recipes to recreate during my day as a Twin. *Author’s Note: I am very grateful and privileged to be able to experiment with recipes with my fully stocked kitchen during this pandemic. Therefore, I have chosen to make a donation to Second Harvest Heartland, a Minneapolis-St.Paul food bank that is feeding the community during this crisis. If you can, please consider donating to your local food banks and charities during this time of need. Here is an article from the Star Tribune on how you can lend a helping hand in Minnesota. Stay safe and well, everyone. Breakfast: Cup of Coffee I am not a breakfast eater. Growing up, I always had the obligatory bowl of oats that my mom meticulously cooked for me every morning. But as an adult, I simply do not have the motivation or energy to consume anything in the morning. Instead, I always start my day off with a mug of Tim Hortons coffee with a splash of half and half or oat milk. I decided to dedicate my morning joe to all of the Cup of Coffee players over the years, and in particular, Joe Nuxhall’s first baseball debut as a teenager. Lunch: Jake Cave’s Stuffed Peppers For lunch, I wanted something light that wouldn’t disrupt an afternoon workout. Jake Cave’s Stuffed Peppers seemed like the obvious choice. Download attachment: Stuffed Peppers.png Rating: 4 out of 5 baseballs The finely chopped garlic brought life into the blandness of the white rice. I added some additional spices to add some extra flavor to the otherwise bland meat. Just for an extra “oomph”, I also threw in a few extra vegetables into the filling for a little more body. Using a well flavored tomato sauce is the biggest saving grace in these peppers. Generally, my biggest issue with stuffed peppers is that the peppers are always undercooked or overcooked. However, covering the dish tightly with foil allowed for time to steam the pepper to a perfect degree of doneness before baking it to perfection. Additionally, I broiled these peppers for a few minutes to allow the cheese to turn into a gooey, warm blanket. While this may not be the flavorful or most beautiful dish to look at, this is an easy, healthy, go-to dish. Download attachment: Stuffed Peppers.jpg Snack: Protein Shake This is a self-explanatory snack. No “traditional” snacks were provided in the cookbook, so I went with the one that seems like a common choice for most athletes. My favorite is the vanilla flavored Premier Protein shake that you can find at any Costco. Dinner: Jake Odorizzi’s Pizza Pasta Download attachment: Pizza Pasta.png There’s a Canadian restaurant chain called Boston Pizza that I always visit when I make a trip up north. They have a pasta dish called the “Hungry Carnivore” which is essentially every meaty pizza topping imaginable, bell peppers, and tons of cheese, tossed with marinara sauce and penne. Jake Odorizzi’s Pizza Pasta recipe looks eerily similar to the Hungry Carnivore, so I decided to give it a try. Rating: 5 out of 5 baseballs This was so good that I forgot to take a photo. It was that good. I used my favorite Italian sausage from Trader Joe’s and Rao’s marinara sauce.The key to Odorizzi’s masterpiece is cooking the pasta in the sauce. They say to salt your pasta water for flavor. Therefore, cooking the pasta in the tomato sauce took the flavor profile to the next level by integrating the seasonings directly into the noodle. Baking the pasta briefly in the oven turned the shredded mozzarella into melted perfection. The fresh parsley on top added a restaurant flair to the humble dish. This is the dinner that you need to tuck into on a cold, Minnesota night. Dessert: (Tyler Duffey’s) Mama Hutch’s Mint Fudge Brownies Download attachment: Mama Hutch's Mint Fudge Brownies.png I am one of the worst bakers on this planet, so I needed a recipe that had some sort of a mix involved. Thankfully, I had a box of Trader Joes’ chocolate truffle brownie mix calling my name in my pantry. I’ve never heard of cream de mint, but I had exactly two scoops of Thin Mint cookie ice cream in my freezer, which I figured was probably close enough. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 baseballs Mama Hutch knows what she’s doing. The mintiness of the ice cream was a refreshing counterbalance to the richness of the chocolate brownie. If you are not partial to any particular brownie mixes, I highly recommend using the same one that I did. I had to forgo the chocolate topping because the dessert was already very sweet as it is. The suggested addition of the sweet topping to the already decadent dessert was the only knock on its rating. Mama Hutch may have suggested allowing the brownie to cool before serving, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I dug into the brownie right out of the oven. Download attachment: Fudge Brownie.jpg Overall, I was very impressed with the taste and quality of every recipe that I tried. Everything was easy, fast, but delicious. There were several other recipes that I also recreated from the cookbook following this experiment (Rod Carew’s Parmesan smashed potatoes, Trevor May’s lemon chicken, etc). I highly recommend picking up a copy of this cookbook in the future! Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter (@renabanena) if you try your hand at any of these recipes at home! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

It’s been one week since you looked at me….and Rudy Gobert’s COVID-19 diagnosis, which subsequently led to the shut down of all major sporting events across the globe. Ever since, the 2020 baseball season has been in flux, with many theories of Christmas baseball, a condensed schedule, and the elimination of the sport this year as a whole. One of the biggest questions that still remains unanswered is how the delay will affect the trade deadline.Traditionally, baseball’s July 31st deadline is exactly four months, or 57%, into the baseball season. These four months are crucial for clubs to decide their moves to best prepare for the postseason, and these trades have been critical for teams’ performances in the postseason in recent years. Cheating aside, Justin Verlander was the arm that Houston needed in 2017. Nick Anderson was the Rays’ saving grace. And last but not least, the Miami Marlins sent postseason veteran Sergio Romo, one of the most beloved and popular Twins, to Minnesota. Last week, I posed three possible outcomes for the 2020 baseball season. This week, we have a slightly clearer guess as to how the 2020 season will play out. Sites like SBD are theorizing that MLB won't be back until at least April 15th. Bob Nightengale of USA Today believes that a Memorial Day return could also be feasible, which would indicate a two month delay to the regular baseball season. However, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and all 30 teams are still hoping to play as many games as possible in 2020. Given these potential outcomes, will the trade deadline remain on July 31st? Will teams start trading before the season even begins? If the deadline can be/is moved, when will it be? First of all, the most logical step that the MLB could take is to move the July 31st deadline to the new date that represents the completion of 57% of the season. If the season begins on April 15th, the trade deadline would only be moved back a few weeks, even if the season is shortened slightly. However, a Memorial Day return poses a major inconvenience for players and a potential marketing loss. Assuming the entire season is played out, the trade deadline would be pushed back two months, which would be post-Labor Day. Traded players would be expected to move their families after the beginning of a new school year, which would lead to more separated families. In addition, the traditional trade deadline captures its flurry of media attention partly because of the excitement surrounding the trades, but it’s irresponsible to ignore the fact that no other sports are occurring on July 31st. All major sports outlets direct their entire focus towards baseball, starting from approximately a week before the deadline. However, a later trade deadline could run into the marketing blockage of the NFL. The team on Francisco Lindor’s jersey is appealing to baseball fans, but Tom Brady’s first few weeks as a Buccaneer will greatly overshadow a September baseball trade, which would indicate a large revenue loss by the MLB. It’s unlikely that teams will begin trades prior to the season. The NHL and NBA have imposed roster freezes that prohibit trades during this hiatus. Until the MLB imposes the same roster freeze, it’s not completely out of the question that no trades will occur before the season starts. Teams in competitive divisions could be concerned about a heavily condensed season, where interdivisional games will greatly affect the outcome of their season and outnumber games against other divisions and leagues. These teams could make a move for a superstar before they've ramped up for the year. Rumors have been swirling of the trades of many AL Central heavyweights, such as the previously mentioned Lindor, Matthew Boyd, and Whit Merrifield. There are also still numerous Twins fans hoping for a trade for another arm. Therefore, these blockbuster deals and other trades before the season begins could greatly alter the landscape of the entire season before the season even starts. The 2020 baseball season’s outlook is as clear as mud. There are more questions asked then answered. However, if baseball goes on, it’s not a stretch to say that there will be a trade deadline. Although Baseball Christmas may not be in July this year, you may still see a top-of-the-line player under your team’s tree. Click here to view the article

In the span of 35 minutes, the world was informed that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson had contracted coronavirus in Australia, and the NBA season was indefinitely postponed after Rudy Gobert became basketball’s patient zero. Today, the NCAA cancelled both the Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments, universities across the country moved their classes online or cancelled altogether, and all travel to Europe was halted.The MLB announced today that the baseball season has been postponed for two weeks while the remainder of spring training has been cancelled. It appears possible this postponement will lead to a 2020 season that is akin to 1995, where the season was shortened by 18 games. Rosters could be expanded to allow flexibility with each team if a player is sick. However, with the ever-changing state of the union, this postponement could be extended. How could a longer postponement affect the season schedule, fans, player salaries, and game locations? Three possible future outcomes for the 2020 baseball season are highlighted below. Scenario 1: The baseball season is pushed back between 1-3 months Logistics: Opening Day will be moved to late April, May, or June. Subsequently, the playoffs will begin in either November, December, or January if a full season is played. Outcomes: The biggest question at hand if the season is delayed is whether the baseball season will be played in full or abridged. In 1995, the season was shortened by 18 games due to the players’ strike the year prior. However, if the season is shortened by a month or more, how will each team’s schedule be affected? If all interleague and interdivision play is reduced or eliminated, this can greatly affect each team’s record, which is a major factor in the playoff seeding. Although the Minnesota Twins will have the advantage of playing in a less competitive division, other playoff contenders in more difficult divisions, such as the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, could see skewed records and results. In the scenario that the baseball season is postponed for a few months, the end of the baseball season and the playoffs will look drastically different. For example, if Opening Day is moved to late May, the playoffs will be scheduled to occur during December, with the potential of a Christmas World Series. Assuming that the football season will carry on as planned, baseball will be competing for viewership, attendance, and coverage with football for approximately half its season. In the scenario that Opening Day is delayed to late June, playoff baseball will perfectly coincide with playoff football. This is all, of course, given the assumption that the game can be played without weather being a factor, especially given that numerous contenders are located in essentially the northern tundra, without the luxury of a dome. Scenario 2: The season is suspended until the All Star "break" Logistics: The second half of the season will kick off with Opening Day, rather than the All-Star game. The All-Star Game will cancelled. The season will be cut in half, with 81 games, rather than 162. This way, the percentage of games between teams, leagues, and divisions will not be affected Outcomes: One of the biggest challenges with a shortened season is maintaining the integrity of each team’s schedule, as mentioned previously. However, cutting the season in half helps maintain the integrity of each team’s schedule, while adding significance to each and every game. October baseball will go on as previously scheduled, without additional competition with the NFL. However, how will players’ salaries be affected? Will teams be asked to pay out for the entirety of the season, even if just 81 games are played? How will this affect contracts? Does 81 games constitute an entire season? Lastly, how will player and team suspensions be affected? For example, will Michael Pineda be expected to serve the entirety of this 60 game suspension in 2020? In the specific example of the Twins, losing Michael Pineda for 74% of the season is extremely significant and impactful. How will the outcome of the Red Sox’ investigation be affected with a shortened season? Although there are still a lot of questions to be answered, MLB will be expected to provide the solutions as swiftly and quickly as possible. Scenario 3: The season is cancelled Logistics: The 2020 baseball season is fully cancelled Outcomes: This move would be incredibly disappointing and detrimental for all players, employees, and fans. However, cancelling the entire 2020 season isn’t out of the question. Even just 48 hours ago, the thought of postponing an entire season for any sport seemed impossible. However, it’s impossible to predict the future and outcomes that correlate with this virus. While this may not be the most likely scenario right now, don’t rule it out either. During this trying time, fans are depending on sports and other forms of entertainment to keep their anxieties at bay. It’s devastating to see any changes and delays to our beloved national pastime. However, first and foremost, it’s most important to keep all players and employees safe and healthy. Let’s all wash our hands to the tune of “Take Me Out To the Ballgame” until Opening Day, even if it isn't until 2021. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

In 2019, Justin Verlander edged out his teammate, Gerrit Cole, for his second Cy Young award. At age 37, Verlander can start preparing his Cooperstown speech, yesterday. Although simply having Verlander at the top garners the Astros consideration as best rotation in baseball, the Twins have a stronger rotation than Houston in 2020, particularly since Cole is now with the Yankees and Zach Greinke moves in to the second spot in the Astro's rotation.If you are thinking that this/I am crazy, you are probably right. The last brilliant idea that I cooked up was a chocolate souffle, which turned out to be much more of a chocolate souf-fail. Without argument, the Houston Astros have the best rotation in the AL West. The Twins are frequently featured in articles about how they *might* have the second best rotation in the AL Central but consistently behind the Cleveland Indians. What leg does this chocolate souffle of a baseball take have to stand on without collapsing into a dark mess of molten egg whites? There are two main reasons. First, we’ve already seen each Astros’ ace, Verlander and now Zach Greinke, at his prime. Prestigious awards aside, this year's Astros aces are 37- and 36-years-old, respectively. However, the best is yet to come for the Twins’ pieces. Second, unlike the Astros, the fluidity of the Twins rotation ensures that one single broken link in the chain will not cause the collapse of the entire rotation. Although there isn’t a “Verlander Trump Card” that the Twins can play, two performances do not dictate the report card for the entire pitching staff. Let’s dive in. According to MLB.com, this is the projected rotation for the Astros in 2020. Astros' Projected Rotation: Justin VerlanderZack GreinkeLance McCullers Jr.Brad PeacockJose UrquidyOther(s): Austin Pruitt, Josh James, Framber Valdez The entire Astros’ rotation fully depends on the performance of their aces. Justin Verlander is the most important piece of the entire rotation. His new right-hand man, Zack Greinke, will be expected to fill the hole that Cole left this season. Like Verlander, Greinke is nearing the final years of his career, and although he has not faced a drastic decline in performance yet, it’s not possible to predict exactly how productive he is going to be this season due to questions with his declining velocity, potential health concerns with age, and the number of innings he will be able to produce. Although he is 11 years younger than Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr. is returning from Tommy John surgery, and he has not pitched since 2017. Even if McCullers Jr. has a career season, he will be limited by his innings. After previously seeing poor performances from pitchers such as Lance Lynn, who just had limited spring training in 2018 (but a full season of pitching prior) due to a late signing, there is a cause of concern as to how productive McCullers Jr. will be coming back this year. Lastly, much like Greinke, Brad Peacock is a veteran pitcher, 32-years-old, who is riding out the final years of his career on the back end of the rotation. These four starters are the foundation of their rotation, with the Astros heavily depending on them to remain in their spot in the rotation. Essentially, the Astros are fully dependent on two aging aces who have already seen their prime, a veteran on the decline, a young pitcher coming back from surgery, and a few young hopefuls. To add insult to injury, all of their starters are right-handed. Twins Projected Rotation: Jose BerriosJake OdorizziKenta MaedaMichael Pineda/Randy DobnakHomer BaileyOther(s): Randy Dobnak, Rich Hill, Lewis Thorpe, Devin Smeltzer, Jhoulys Chacin, Sean Poppen, Cody Stashak, Sarah Langs of MLB.com listed Jose Berrios as one of her dark horses for the 2020 AL Cy Young. She lists his curveball as one of the nastiest pitches in baseball, due to its horizontal movement. Although Berrios has his second half demons, we have not yet seen the best of Jose Berrios. His accolades are yet to come. The average age of a Cy Young winner is 27.2 years old, so Berrios is ramping up to the height of his career, which statistically speaking, will likely be this year or the following season. Although right now, Berrios may not be comparable to Verlander in terms of ace dominance, we could see them on the same playing field as early as this year. Unlike the Astros, the remaining pitchers in the Twins’ rotation are in their early 30’s, with no individual pitcher coming back from an entire season of injury who will be expected to fill a spot in the rotation. Lastly, the Twins have several left-handed pitchers that they can bring in to mix up the rotation, such as Hill and Lewis Thorpe. Having a lefty in the middle of the rotation is an undervalued luxury that the Astros do not have. As a final case study, let’s examine the 2019 New York Yankees, a team that was riddled with pitching injuries.The reason for the Yankees success wasn’t because they had a Gerrit Cole in their rotation; it was due to their fluidity and their ability to adapt, whether it was finding the ace within Chad Green or reigniting the fire in Adam Ottavino. The Astros’ dependence on their aces does not allow them the flexibility to adjust to a potential Verlander or Greinke injury. On the other glove, the Twins’ rotation doesn’t have a single point of failure. Like the Yankees, the Twins rotation is a mesh network, where in the case of a break in one link, the entire network can adapt to the missing link and reestablish itself, to be as strong and optimal as it was before the disruption. There are endless young pitchers waiting to establish themselves, many with starting pitching experience, who are more than willing to fill the gap in the rotation. Did I also remind you that the Twins took two of three from the Astros in 2019 with Verlander and Cole on the mound? I rest my case. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

So how much do you *actually* know and love your hometown team? Can you pick out the Minnesota Twin from a group of players at each position with only the following arbitrary 2019 statistics?You are a self-proclaimed Minnesota Twins and/or baseball fan. Baseball is your perpetual valentine, despite your actual relationship status. You proudly tell anyone who will listen that you watch every single game and even skip social events to do so. When you can’t get out of one, you purposely schedule meetups at sports bars so that you won’t miss a single inning. Instructions: Pick the Minnesota Twin from the three given options. Keep in mind that every option listed below is an actual MLB player from the same position. A correct answer is worth 1 point, and there is no penalty for an incorrect response. The bonus questions is also worth 1 point. As an extra challenge, try and guess the other two players in the group. 1. Catcher: Mitch Garver A - 126 H, .246 AVG, .380 OBP B - 85 H, .273 AVG, .365 OBP C - 120 H, .273 AVG, .328 OBP 2. First Base: Miguel Sano A - .247 AVG, 34 HR, .923 OPS B - .267 AVG, 36 HR, .896 OPS C - .260 AVG, 34 HR, .821 OPS 3. Second Base: Luis Arraez A - .334 AVG, .399 OBP, .823 OPS B - .329 AVG, .389 OBP, .981 OPS C - .298 AVG, .353 OBP, .903 OPS 4. Third Base: Josh Donaldson A - 36 HR, 91 RBIs, 3 3Bs B - 37 HR, 94 RBIs, 0 3Bs C - 35 HR, 118 RBIs, 10 3Bs 5. Shortstop: Jorge Polanco A - 651 ABs, .285 AVG, 7 3Bs B - 631 ABs, .295 AVG, 7 3Bs C - 616 ABs, .287 AVG, 7 3Bs 6. Right Field: Max Kepler A - .257 AVG, .856 OPS, 3.5 WAR B - .265 AVG, .922 OPS, 3.8 WAR C - .252 AVG, .855 OPS, 4.0 WAR 7. Center Field: Byron Buxton A - .262 AVG, .991 Fielding Percentage, 14 SB B - .260 AVG, .994 Fielding Percentage, 18 SB C - .259 AVG, .993 Fielding Percentage, 14 SB 8. Left Field: Eddie Rosario A - 98 R, 110 RBI’s, 138 SO B - 91 R, 109 RBI’s, 86 SO C - 110 R, 110 RBI’s, 132 SO 9. DH: Nelson Cruz A - 26 2B, 0 CS, .412 OBP B - 20 2B, 3 CS, .343 OBP C - 26 2B, 1 CS, .392 OBP 10. BONUS: Which player’s birthday is closest to Valentine’s Day? A - Sergio Romo B - Max Kepler C - Tyler Clippard D - Alex Avila The answers are beyond this point. Do not scroll past this conveniently placed video of one my most beloved grand slam if you have not completed the challenge. Answers: B, A, A, B, B, C, A, B, C, C Other Players: Catcher A: Yasmani Grandal, Catcher C: James McCann First Base B: Matt Olson, First Base C: Paul Goldschmidt Second Base B: Ketel Marte, Second Base C: Jose Altuve Third Base A: Matt Chapman, Third Base C: Eduardo Escobar Shortstop A: Marcus Semien, Shortstop C: Amed Rosario LF A: Michael Conforto, LF B: Jorge Soler CF B: Lorenzo Cain, CF C: Kevin Pillar RF A: J.D. Martinez, RF C: Juan Soto DH A: Yordan Alvarez, DH B: Shohei Ohtani Birthdays: Sergio Romo - March 4th, Max Kepler - February 10th, Tyler Clippard - February 14th, Alex Avila - January 29th If you got: 8-10: You are a Twins champion 5-7: It's no question that you are a Twins fan, but there is always room for improvement 2-4: You watch a game here and there, but your television isn't loyal to Fox Sports North during the baseball season 0-1: You aren't an expert....yet. How many answers did you get correct? Leave your score in the comments below. Happy Birthday Tyler! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

A groundbreaking trade happened two days ago, ending the facade that the off-season was closed for business.. However, there is still a full season of Twins baseball to look forward to, with the following promotional items as the cherry on top of a very exciting sundae to come.The best things in life are free. They’re even better when 30,000 other fans are offering you cash for your free items. Last week, the Twins announced the full lineup of freebies and special events at Target Field this year. After some careful consideration, for 2020 here is a definitive ranking of the Top 10 Twins’ promotional items. 1. 30 Home Run Bomba Club Bobblehead June 27, 1:10 pm, vs. Colorado Rockies First 10,000 Fans Last season, Nelson Cruz, Eddie Rosario, Mitch Garver, Max Kepler, and Miguel Sano officially became the Bomba Five on September 17, 2019 when Sano hit his 30th bomb off Ross Detwiler of the Chicago White Sox. The Bomba Squad smashed MLB’s home run record and barely edged out the New York Yankees for the most home runs on the season. The 30 Home Run Bomba Club Bobblehead signifies a place and time that may never be repeated by the Twins or any other team. Therefore, mark this date on your calendar, and be sure to schedule a brunch downtown prior to the game so that you can be at the gates early enough to own this piece of Twins’ history. 2. Justin Morneau Hall of Fame Bobblehead May 23, 1:10 pm, vs. Chicago White Sox - Morneau HOF Induction Ceremony First 10,000 Fans Justin Morneau is one of the most beloved Twins of all time. Morneau played 11 seasons with the Twins, hitting a career .278 with over 221 home runs and 860 RBI’s. He was named the 2006 American League MVP and was a four-time All-Star with the team. Many knew and loved him as a counterpart to Joe Mauer, whose number was retired last season. After his retirement, Morneau has been a very active member of the Twins community as an analyst for the Twins broadcast on Fox Sports North. He may have Canadian roots on paper, but Morneau is a respected and celebrated honorary Minnesotan. Promotional item aside, fans cannot miss Justin Morneau’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The bobblehead is a great method of commemorating the ceremony, but more importantly, do not miss this day of celebration for one of the most phenomenal and beloved Twins of all time. 3. Twins Quarter Zip-Pullover April 2, 3:10 pm, vs. Oakland A’s - Twins Home Opener First 30,000 Fans Pullovers are an essential aspect of every Minnesotan’s wardrobe. They are versatile, warm, and haute. The baby blue is a perfect counterbalance to the dark navy vest offered as last year’s promotional item and matches well with the baby blues of the new uniforms. The only downside is that these pullovers are only offered in Adult M/XL. However, if you are like me and do not fall under these sizes, these pullovers are a perfect re-gift for the second biggest Twins fan in your life. Typically, pullovers can run anywhere from $30 - $100 in various sporting goods stores, so purchasing a ticket to the home opener will offset the price of purchasing a brand new pullover (of course, depending on your seat of choice). This practical promotion and the combination of the excitement of Opening Day makes the pullover one of the top freebies of the year. 4. Baby Blue Twins Replica Jersey July 31, 7:10 pm, vs. Houston Astros - 60th Season Celebration Weekend First 10,000 Fans Numerous teams have announced new alternate jerseys throughout this off-season, many with mixed reviews. However, the iconic baby blues were presented with rave reviews from fans. These jerseys are a part of the 60th Season Celebration of the Twins. The revitalization of this 70’s look makes this item one of the most exciting of the season, where fans can celebrate 60 years of their home team in one of the most iconic looks of all. 5. Josh Donaldson “Bringer of Rain” Bobblehead June 16, 7:10 pm, vs. Milwaukee Brewers First 10,000 Fans Years from now, Twins fans will remember where they were when they first heard of the Josh Donaldson signing. Therefore, the first promotional item to celebrate the Bringer of Rain is one to be much excited for. The reason that this item barely made the first half of the list is due to the fact that we will likely get a similar item in the future. Unlike the Bomba Squad and Morneau bobbleheads, this is not a once-in-a-lifetime artifact. Needless to say, Donaldson will likely be one of the most popular Twins during his tenure, so therefore, if you miss this bobblehead, you will likely be able to get a similar one or another Donaldson promotion sometime in the next few years. 6. Twins Pet Calendar May 9, 6:10 pm, vs. Kansas City Royals - Pet Adoption Day First 10,000 Fans Cute animals? Need I say more? Out of all of the freebies given out this year, this is one of the most fun, practical, and useful of the season. Plus, this pet calendar is a phenomenal gift for the animal lover in your life or as office decor for your boring, beige cubicle. 7. Twins T-Shirt August 22, 6:10 pm, vs. Detroit Tigers First 10,000 Fans - Youth L, Adult M/XL Everyone can use another Twins T-shirt. Although every season, Twins T-shirts are given out by the truckload (has anyone actually caught one from a T-shirt gun? Comment below), it never hurts to add another one to the collection. Plus, T-shirts are one of the easiest items to carry around the ballpark. As a bonus, as with the other larger items, it can be a hassle and very easy to forget after placing it under your seat. 8. LED Energy Efficient Lightbulb June 28, 1:10 pm, vs. Colorado Rockies First 10,000 Fans This is by far, the most practical giveaway of the year. Although the other promotional items are much more exciting and unique, having an extra light bulb on hand can be a lifesaver. Last week, the lightbulb in my closet burned out, and I spent the next two days in the dark because I had no lightbulbs in storage. In this scenario, no bobblehead in my house could’ve saved me a trip to Costco. 9. Twins Stocking Cap September 18, 7:10 pm, vs. Detroit Tigers - Fan Appreciation Weekend September 19, 6:10 pm, vs. Detroit Tigers - Fan Appreciation Weekend First 30,000 Fans (both nights) The Twins Stocking Cap is consistently one of the most commonly worn items around Target Field. During the 2019 playoffs, many game-goers sported a stocking cap around the stadium. First of all, the cold Minnesota climate ensures that no stocking cap ever goes unworn. Next, one of the main benefits of a stocking cap is that you are still able to support your team regardless of how cold it gets. When it reaches subzero temperatures at Target Field, your T-shirts and pullover will be rendered unseen by the warm coat you are wearing over them. Therefore, a stocking cap allows you to show your team pride without compromising your warmth. The reason that this is ranked so low on the list is that this is one of the most accessible articles of clothing you can find. If you miss out on this promotion, you can essentially walk into any store in Minnesota and find a similar item. 10. Back to School Item August 15, vs. Kansas City Royals - Back to School Weekend First 5,000 Kids (12 and Under) Although there are a few kids items offered throughout the season, this one also benefits the parent who is taking the child to the game. This item will keep your children entertained throughout the game and checks an item off of your back-to-school list. Plus, there is nothing more exciting to a kid than school supplies. You can find the full list of Twins promotions and a link to purchase single game tickets here. Please comment below if you agree or disagree with items on this list. As the season progresses, feel free to use this page as a Sell & Buy marketplace. With the signing of Kenta Maeda, what Maeda promotional items would you like to see? MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article