KCasey

Phil Hughes might have had plenty of people betting MLB World Series in a real spin last year as he gave away plenty of home runs in the less than pitcher friendly environment in New York. This year it may well be that in Minnesota he’s in a more laid-back atmosphere and more importantly in a far more pitcher friendly stadium. After seven seasons with the Yankees, Hughes signed a $24 million, three-year contract to make Target Field his new home. Hughes was originally chosen as the 23rd pick of the 2004 draft but it’s been a career that so far has been dogged by inconsistency and injuries and lots of balls disappearing over outfield fences. In the past two seasons, Hughes allowed 39 homers in 177 innings at home and just 20 in 160 innings on the road. But it was the contrast between his numbers at Yankee Stadium and other American League ball parks last season that was remarkable, conceding 17 home runs in the Big Apple and 7 away from that arena and it was just obvious that the environment there didn’t suit Hughes at all. That record last season led to constant doubts in the mind of Hughes and when those sort of doubts start to creep in it’s hard to function on the mound and it may be that the move to the Twins will give him a chance to clear his mind and just get on with the job in hand. The Twins have added Hughes and Ricky Nolasco to their rotation this year after their starters last year had the worst ERA in the Majors last season. Part of the reason that Hughes came to the attention of the Twins was the way that he played against them last season and it appears that he’ll be glad to be out of the glare of the fan and media spotlight that he constantly faced in New York. In Minnesota, he'll be throwing to new Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki now that Joe Mauer has made the switch to first base and it could well be that Target Field suits his attacking style of pitching far more than it ever did in New York; this could well be something remembering if you are including the Twins in your MLB betting strategy this year. It could be that we see a new and very different Phil Hughes this year in and environment that will suit him far better than he has been used to.

It almost goes without saying that the past few seasons have been tough for the Minnesota Twins; there have been at least 96 defeats for three consecutive seasons and the latest MLB betting suggests that it might be another year before things turn around for the better. Yes, this year, the Twins front office has added some decent pieces to the roster through free agency but the real resurgence will surely only come when the wave of prospects that the Twins have stockpiled comes to fruition - and that’s likely to happen in 2015. Patience has been a key trait for Twins fans and that may start to pay off soon as the Twins really do have some top prospects that could drive them back to the top of the American League Central. The best of the prospects is without doubt Byron Buxton, who has the tools and has shown in his performance in the minors that he could make the step into the big leagues this year; although, he is likely to make his debut next year and go on to be one of the best players in the next decade. Another exciting prospect for the Twins is third baseman, Miguel Sano, who, although he will not be an “elite” in that category, has a good defensive profile, but it’s his batting potential that is exciting with the raw power to hit plenty of home runs in the future. Pitching is always going to play a major part in any MLB game and fans betting MLB World Series know the Twins have gathered quite a number of prospects in this position, led by Alex Meyer, who is a powerful right-handed pitcher with the potential to fit into the rotation anywhere. He has proved capable of handling a starting role in the future. Alongside Meyer would come other pitching prospects such as Kohl Stewart; another right- hander who probably needs a little more time but looks as though he could be worthy of a place in the Majors. The pitching strength or potential doesn’t end there; the Twins also have tucked away Jose Berrios, Lewis Thorpe, and Stephen Gonsalves and any of that trio could also be considered to have real potential to add to the Twins rotation; although, it would be Meyer who remains the real jewel in that crown. So, after the gloom, inconsistency, and poor results of the past few years, there really is hope on the horizon for the Twins, via the talent that the team have stockpiled, along with some big free agent signings and experience that should see the Twins back on the way to the top after some wilderness years.

It is fair to say that the offseason is still very much one of unfinished business for the Twins. There is still time for things to change, of course, and there may be further business to be done yet before the season starts. With a 2013 record of 66-96 (.407), fans betting MLB World Series knew there was a considerable need for change and strengthening within the roster and the first part of the squad that needed attention was the pitching line-up and in particular the starters. The 2013 season saw the rotation record an ERA figure of 5.26, which, to put the number in context, was almost half a run worse than any other big league club. Also, other numbers didn’t make particularly happy reading for the Twins fans or management, and the signing of Ricky Nolasco, who had a good 2013 season, and Phil Hughes, who should fare far better at Target Field. Those signings were a start in the overhaul that the rotation needed but, if possible, they still need more depth and strength in that rotation, and the pitching will not improve dramatically on the back of those moves in one season. Change will take time but the Twins do have options in the free agent market. One area that remains a concern is the offence and run scoring; the Twins managed to score just 614 of them last year, which was the second fewest in the American League and, despite a few minor tweaks, such as Joe Mauer moving to first base, little appears to have happened. The problem is that the Twins have lots of players who, although they are solid, they don’t or can’t make a difference. The real hope for that change is that there are the prospects in the system but they will take time to develop and come to fruition. The Twins still need players; of that, there is no doubt. According to many MLB betting pundits, two areas of particular weakness are leftfield and designated hitter – and it’s those areas that need addressing before the season starts. The Twins, to look on the bright side for the moment, do have an impressive stockpile of prospects but they need to start getting some more experience into the team now to help those prospects who will probably come on stream for the 2015 season. They took a step in the right direction with Nolasco and Hughes but need similar types on offence to start gaining some momentum and impetus in a season; as things stand now, it looks as though the 2013 struggles of the Twins will be repeated until those prospects start to come to the party in 2015.

The past three years have been rough ones in Minnesota; the tables tell you that. They have been winning games in the mid-60s and flirting with their first 100-loss season since way back in 1982. However, sides can sneak up on people and, when you look at all that has been happening at the franchise of late, it makes you wonder if the Twins might be able to sneak back over the 70 wins marker and actually go a bit further than that and surprise fans betting MLB World Series. First point to take into account is that the Twins have finally shunted much of their moribund rotation aside and actually invested in Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. Both should thrive at Target Field - especially Hughes, who may well be far better outside of the media glare in New York. Together they form what could be a very decent one-two punch. Neither is an ace but they are solid and should take the team forward; although, the rest of the rotation could give cause for concern. However, the competition could just give the impetus needed for someone to step up and fill in some of the voids. Young talent is always important for giving a side momentum and a fresh outlook, and the Twins have two valuable building blocks in that sphere, in Miguel Sano and Josmil Pinto. That combination could well be one that the Twins can build a team around as we head into the back half of the decade and take them back to a team that can deliver the goods. The development of Pinto has had MLB betting pundits wondering what Joe Mauer will be capable of now that he is released from catching duties and doesn’t have to cope with the physical toll the discipline can take on you. He should be able to make good strides this year, especially if he looks after himself in a conditioning sense, and that will help the Twins grow as an entity. This may be tilting at windmills and taking optimism too far but it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that both Josh Willingham and Jason Kubel can turn things around coming off terrible years. Both have “excuses” for last year and are not far removed from good years, there may be question marks about their durability but both have enough left in their locker to surprise. If these are some of the upsides for the Twins, you can’t avoid the point that there are plenty of lingering issues also – particularly in centre field - but a line-up with the plus points made above gives the Twins far more room for optimism and surprise than in the past few years.

Rumours about potential new recruits continue to circulate even after the Minnesota Twins added Mike Pelfrey to the 2014 payroll. The Twins have now signed three free agent starters to join Kevin Correia in the rotation, but general manager Terry Ryan is believed to still be looking at adding more new faces. According to the bet365 MLB betting page, the Twins reportedly remain interested in signing Bronson Arroyo even after bringing in Pelfrey. It seems unlikely that the 36-year-old Cincinnati Reds pitcher would want to join Minnesota but the rumours persist even though Arroyo would be a big earner and would stop more homegrown talent coming through the system. Meanwhile, Johan Santana continues to be linked with a return to the Twins, six years after he left Minnesota to join the New York Mets. The 34-year-old former Cy Young winner is reportedly open to a return to Minnesota, although his fitness is suspect as he has been forced to endure major shoulder surgery twice since leaving the Twins. The Venezuelan did not pitch at all in 2013 and, if he did rejoin the Twins, would be expected to spend the early part of the season rehabbing and building strength. Free agent lefty Paul Maholm would be an inexpensive option for the Twins. He has a 3.89 ERA while averaging 168 innings over the past three years. The 31-year-old spent six years with the Pittsburgh Pirates before spending the first half of 2012 with the Chicago Cubs. He was traded to the Atlanta Braves approximately 18 months ago but is now a free agent. Oakland Athletics catcher, Kurt Suzuki, is another possible Twins acquisition this winter. Fans betting MLB World Series will recall that the 30-year-old has endured a difficult time of late after initially impressing during his first spell with Oakland. He endured a poor season with the Washington Nationals before returning to Oakland in August.

The Minnesota Twins have added some strength to their pitching rotation with the signing of Phil Hughes on a three-year contract. The 29-year old ended his six-year association with the New York Yankees at the end of last season, signing a three-year deal worth a reported $24 million. The move to the Twins could well be just what Hughes needs after a tough couple of seasons at the Yankees. The pitcher finished the 2010 season as an All Star after a year in which he went 18-8 with a 4.19 ERA and looking like he would become a key part of the Yankees’ rotation. But a shoulder injury in 2011 restricted to just 17 starts, and Hughes has failed to reach his best form ever since, struggling with a back injury throughout the past two seasons. Hughes went 4-14 with a 5.19 ERA last season for the Yankees, but with a record of 1-10 with a 6.32 ERA at Yankee Stadium, a move to pitcher-friendly Target Field could be exactly what the 27-year-old needs to jumpstart his career. While fans of MLB betting won’t be backing the franchise to challenge for next year’s World Series, Hughes will add some genuine quality to an average Twins pitching line-up, one that has been key to Minnesota losing at least 96 games in each of the past three seasons. After their starting pitchers finished last season with an MLB-worst ERA of 5.26, with only Samuel Deduno and Kevin Correia finishing the year with ERAs under 5.00, it was a no brainer that the franchise desperately needed to add some options to their starting rotation. While Hughes may not be as exciting a signing as some Twins fans betting MLB World Series would have wanted, the right-hander is exactly the sort of pitcher that could be a huge success in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Twins are reportedly still discussing a contract with free-agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia who would fill the position left vacant by Joe Mauer who has announced he is moving to first base. The speculation in the MLB betting news comes just after the Twins agreed to sign the former LA Dodgers righthander Ricky Nolasco on the biggest contract Minnesota have ever offered to a player. The record previously belonged to outfielder Josh Willingham, who signed a three-year $21million deal two winters ago. Nolasco’s four-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, is believed to be worth $12million a season. Saltalamacchia’s future remains unclear after he had spent the last three years with Boston. The Red Sox decided not to make him a $14.1million qualifying offer after he earned just $5million in the 2012-13 season. It is believed that the Red Sox and player may accept a compromise - a two-year contract worth up to $20million - although the Cubs, White Sox, Marlins and Phillies, as well as the Twins, are also reportedly interested in signing him. However, the New York Yankees, who were also linked with Saltalamacchia, are not now expected to offer the 28-year-old former Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers star a deal as they have reportedly agreed to terms on a five-year, $85million contract with Brian McCann, the top free-agent catcher on the market. The Red Sox were also interested in McCann, but now that the 29-year-old backstop is seemingly heading to the Yankees, they may decide to go back to Saltalamacchia, a popular character with fans betting MLB World Series, who has just had his best season. Meanwhile, the Twins’ capture of Nolasco is quite a coup and the 30-year-old is set to join lefthander Scott Diamond and righthanders Kevin Correia and Samuel Deduno in the Twins’ projected 2014 rotation.

The list of “needs” for the Minnesota Twins is a long one this off-season. After winning back-to-back American League Central titles in 2009 and 2010, they have now suffered three consecutive losing seasons, finishing 30 games under .500 (66-96) for the second season in a row. The batting line-up is full of veterans but the whole franchise is threatened by the lack of quality in the starting pitching rotation and that has to be the biggest need for the Twins this off-season. The Minnesota Twins went bargain hunting in an attempt to fix their starting pitching problems last offseason, and the result was a 96-loss season and an MLB-worst 5.26 ERA from their starters. Kevin Correia will be back, and the duo of Andrew Albers and Samuel Deduno showed flashes of being capable starters last year, but the team needs to add at least a couple more arms. Who would be the likely names in the frame as the Twins bid to pluck a name from the free agent market? Josh Johnson might be a guy that the Twins take a look at; he’s just completed an injury-plagued campaign with the Blue Jays but, if you look before that injury, his numbers were solid with a 44-27 record between 2008 and 2012. As a player coming of an injury, fans betting MLB World Series know he is a gamble but with numbers like that he could be a gamble that the Twins feel is worth taking. It looked like the MLB journey was coming to an end for Ubaldo Jimenez; after all, it had been a long time since he had shown anything like his 2010 form, but the summer he had with the Cleveland Indians may well have changed all that. He went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA for the Tribe. Now, that late season form may just have been a blip or it could have been a resurgence in form but the Twins might have to pay to find out. It’s not likely to cost them that much to do so, however. To round out the trio of prospects that the Twins should or could be looking at, how about Phil Hughes? It’s easy to point at his 4-14 2013 season and wonder why his style of pitching isn’t suited to Yankee Stadium (a hitter’s paradise). However, with a sound record on the injury front, Hughes has some potential. Certainly, the surroundings would be more conducive at Target Field and the feeling among many MLB betting pundits is that, with his 2013 statistics, he may well come cheap to the Twins but carry plenty of upside in a pitching rotation that needs to gain some impetus and zip.

So that’s why Glen Perkins threw so badly in the latter stages of the season. Twins insiders revealed yesterday our closer underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on 1 October to fix medial meniscus in his right knee, an issue that had been troubling the 30-year-old for some time. Thankfully, it appears no lasting damage was caused from two months of pitching through the pain and since the surgery Perkins revealed he has felt fine. But it is nevertheless a concern for MLB betting fans on bet365, for few of us knew just how serious the problem was. When you’re betting MLB World Series, of course you look at the odds, pitching stats and recent form. Perkins’ numbers are pretty good, especially when you consider who he’s up against in the majors’ leftie group, but since the All-Star Break (which he made the AL team in July) his stats took a big hit. Before the season’s halfway point, Perkins had a 1.82 ERA, which jumped to 2.89 afterwards. He lost that zip, that threating pace in his throw and opponent batters could see that – raising their slugging to .361 from .262. Punters have lost their confidence in his because of this, for there’s always a risk your out-of-form guy will cost you a big game or series. Luckily for the Twins, Perkins’ latter performances didn’t cost them wins (although he didn’t earn any either). If we’re to make a serious challenge on the playoffs next season – and we know that’s a long way off achieving – we must have a dangerous and fit bullpen ready to see out games. Perkins will get back to fitness work in November and pitching a month later, so he is expected to be 100% by the spring. This can only be good news for a player who still has two years left on his contract and has proven a reliable closer all his career.

After a modest season at Class A Ceder Rapids, Minnesota Twins pitching prospect, J.O. Berrios, will not participate in the Puerto Rican Winter League this offseason; instead, the youngster will get himself ready for next season. The 19-year old recorded an 18.00 run average in two relief outings for Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic, striking out Robinson Cano. But playing in that tournament put Berrios a couple of weeks behind once he returned to Minnesota camp and he was forced to begin the year at extended spring training. But while many MLB betting outlets assumed that Berrios would be sent to the Puerto Rican Winter League in order to continue his development, Twins general manager, Terry Ryan, admitted the youngster would be kept in Minnesota in order to get himself ready for next year. "We're going to make sure he comes back fresh. He did not have the type of year we were hoping. I don't think he threw the ball over the plate as much as he could or can or will. He's 19. "Don't get me wrong. I like Berrios as much as anybody, but he did not have a great year. He had a nice year." Following on from his first start for the Kernels in April, Berrios went 7-7 with a 3.99 ERA in 19 starts. While the pitcher struck out 100 batters in 103 2/3 innings, he allowed 3.47 walks per nine innings to show he still has plenty to learn before stepping up into the big leagues. Berrios went 3-5 with a 4.87 ERA over his final 12 appearances for Ceder Rapids, struggling to maintain his place in the line-up due to injury and his modest form on the mound. But despite his sub-standard season last year, Berrios is a favourite of fans betting MLB World Series, with the potential to become a real weapon, but the youngster will need to really step up next season and show he is the real deal.

By Joe Short When Trevor Crowe hit that winning run in the ninth for Houston on Wednesday, Twins fans can be justified for looking for someone to blame. Having clawed our way back into the game with singles in the eighth and ninth, all reliever Brian Duensing had to do was take down three men – he got hit twice. We fans betting MLB World Series are right to be disappointed with Duensing. In fact, the finger could also point to Liam Hendriks for letting three runs under his arm in the first. Yet there are great positives we can take from that defeat, none the least the fact Minnesota won their second series in a row to banish the nightmare of Kansas City and came agonisingly close to a first sweep since Houston early last month. We haven’t had a good time of it since the All Star break and with the playoffs a million miles away attention moves from this season to the next. There are already rumours on the MLB betting sites over who Ron Gardenhire may bring in over the offseason and a solid pitcher or two wouldn’t go amiss. Focussing on this weekend, however, we should have confidence in the team to earn another series – this time against the Blue Jays. Toronto have had a torrid season in the AL East but have won seven in their last 10 games, so they are a threat. They were on course to sweep the D-Backs this week before a last-inning defeat (like us!) and so Gardenhire and co. will feel confident of getting something at Target Field. The Twins have something in their arsenal that Toronto don’t have, however, and that’s a reliable defense. While the Jays should win Friday’s game – RA Dickey (11-12) v Mike Pelfrey (5-10) – both Kevin Correia (9-10) and Andrew Albers (2-2) have the arm to keep Toronto’s offense at bay. Albers’ selection is interesting as the leftie starts Sunday’s game against Esmil Rogers. He is greatly out of form having hit a 7.53 ERA from his last three starts but if there’s one team in the MLB you want to face when you’re down, it’s Toronto.

Minnesota Twins righthander Samuel Deduno could be set for a short lay-off after doctors confirmed that he has biceps tendinitis which will affect his ability to pitch. The 30-year-old Dominican complained of a sore shoulder after the recent game against the Chicago White Sox but fans betting MLB World Series are hoping it is only a minor injury that has been caused by the strain of pitching for six months. Deduno has had a tough campaign since taking part in the World Baseball Classic in March. Assistant general manager Rob Antony said: “Any time a pitcher comes to you, you have to take that seriously and follow up on it. “Sometimes, two days later they throw and say, ‘It doesn’t feel like it did. I think I’m OK’. However, there is a chance Deduno will have to go on the disabled list. “Maybe he’s got a little arm fatigue. It’s not uncommon this time of year for a pitcher to throw through that.” Deduno is 7-7 with a 3.82 ERA this year, but he has fallen away of late, giving up 13 earned runs in 16⅔ innings in his past three starts, a 7.02 ERA. According to MLB betting pundits, Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, has admitted that he thought Deduno's curveball had become less effective of late, saying: "It's getting to a certain point and just hanging there right now. And when his arm speed is good, it's snapping pretty good." Deduno was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colorado Rockies in 2003 and went on to play for the San Diego Padres before joining the Twins in November 2011. Meanwhile, rookie Kyle Gibson failed to impress in the 6-1 defeat to the New York Mets when he gave up ten hits and got just 11 outs. Gibson has been optioned to the Class AAA Red Wings after his disappointing display.

After spending a decade slogging his way round the Minor Leagues, Brock Peterson finally achieved his dream of recording a Major League hit during the St Louis Cardinals 11-3 victory against the Phillies. The 29-year old, making just his second appearance in the majors, was handed his chance following injury to Matt Holliday. Peterson did his case for an extended run in the team by grabbing his first run for the franchise in a comfortable win against the Phillies, much to the delight of fans betting MLB World Series. With bench player Ty Wigginton recently released, Peterson has an opportunity to stick with the team even when Matt Holliday returns from his spell on the 15-day disabled list, particularly because the Cardinals are unlikely to keep a third catcher, Rob Johnson, on the roster for much longer. Regardless of what happens when Holliday returns, Peterson has made it clear to MLB betting pundits he is determined to keep taking his chances with the Cardinals for as long as they come, admitting there had been times when he had all but given up on ever making it to the majors. "There's a lot of little work to do and a lot of accomplishments personally and with the team that are still in front of us. But it definitely feels a lot better to have a [batting] average,” admitted Peterson. "Being in the Minors, watching all the other guys get their opportunity, it starts to wear on you. And they always come back excited and with a bunch of stories. Now I'm getting a taste, it definitely fuels the fire a little bit. Hopefully that is the start of a lot more.”

After spending a decade slogging his way round the Minor Leagues, Brock Peterson finally achieved his dream of recording a Major League hit during the St Louis Cardinals 11-3 victory against the Phillies. The 29-year old, making just his second appearance in the majors, was handed his chance following injury to Matt Holliday. Peterson did his case for an extended run in the team by grabbing his first run for the franchise in a comfortable win against the Phillies, much to the delight of fans betting MLB World Series. With bench player Ty Wigginton recently released, Peterson has an opportunity to stick with the team even when Matt Holliday returns from his spell on the 15-day disabled list, particularly because the Cardinals are unlikely to keep a third catcher, Rob Johnson, on the roster for much longer. Regardless of what happens when Holliday returns, Peterson has made it clear to MLB betting pundits he is determined to keep taking his chances with the Cardinals for as long as they come, admitting there had been times when he had all but given up on ever making it to the majors. "There's a lot of little work to do and a lot of accomplishments personally and with the team that are still in front of us. But it definitely feels a lot better to have a [batting] average,” admitted Peterson. "Being in the Minors, watching all the other guys get their opportunity, it starts to wear on you. And they always come back excited and with a bunch of stories. Now I'm getting a taste, it definitely fuels the fire a little bit. Hopefully that is the start of a lot more.”

The Twins manager, Ron Gardenhire, offered a neat bit of understanding on Tuesday night as he changed Minnesota’s tactics this Spring Training to give Justin Morneau chance to practice his national role before joining up with Team Canada’s for the World Baseball Classic. Gardenhire confirmed designated hitter, Morneau, would instead start Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays at first base – his preferred position with the Canada side. The reason: to give Morneau extra practice in the role and boost his game potential ahead of the Baseball Classic, which gets under way this March across the Pacific region. “I just want to get my legs underneath me,” Morneau told reporters. “There’s a big difference between playing five innings and playing nine. Playing three days in a row, I think, will speed that process up a little bit.” Indeed, Canada are drawn in a tough pool alongside the US, Mexico and Italy this spring, and they need all the help they can get. With Morneau primed as a first-baseman they have a steady hand in the field and don’t need to worry about his form. Although not a huge deal for Minnesota – who beat Toronto 8-4 on Tuesday – the fact Morneau got this game under his belt will do wonders for the player’s confidence. As most Twins fans with experience betting MLB World Series will testify, it’s always nice to see one of your own players doing well for their country. Morneau has already come out and said he’d happily play anywhere for the team, with DH or first base his preferred position and has raised eyebrows with comments regarding the shortstop role. Regardless of where he plays, Twins fans can be safe in the knowledge he will give his upmost to the team. This Baseball Classic could be Morneau’s chance to impress while away from Spring Training and will prepare the 31-year-old for what MLB betting news pundits believe could be a tough season ahead.