Twins picked to win the AL Central

by caluofmn on Feb 25, 2011 5:46 PM EST

According to "America's premier sports publisher" The Twins will win another AL Central crown...

While it's nice to read I have to admit it surprises me just a little. Afterall since when do the Twins get any respect for anything other than playing fundamentally sound baseball? I was expecting Chicago or Detroit to get the nod after the quiet offseason the Twins had but nope it's the Twins.

I have to admit I like it more when the Twins are playing to prove they are the class of the division but I'm guessing the players don't put alot of stock on predictions like these. How about you guys though? Do guys like it when the "experts" call our favorite team the winners or do you prefer when they are the underdogs?

The season is almost a month away and I can't wait. Now I'm going to go read how the addition of one Nick Punto is going to return the NL Central crown to St. Louis.

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Jinx!

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
New Twins motto: "Twins baseball: Poor fans can screw themselves!" -BatGirl

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Feb 25, 2011 11:36 PM EST reply actions

nice to read

it is nice to read, because you’re absolutely right that the Twins are typically not picked to win it all. I sure hope Detroit and Chicago suck it up, especially the Sox. I loved last year and how they imploded. Thought they were going make a run in the playoffs with getting Manny. What did it give them? A subpar season ending and the Twins another crown.

Is it wrong when I celebrate and feel its a “successful” season when we ONLY win the central and not a world title?

by tho0505 on Feb 26, 2011 4:03 AM EST reply actions

I think the so-call experts

are tired of being wrong! Just because Detroit and Chi-Sox have some (supposed) big name players that don’t produce. We’ve got guys like Duensing,Valencia,Span and Capps that no one seems to care about, but produce as well as the Big name Stars (all most). I’m okay with flying under the radar and being the underdog, its nothing new. Lets see how we do being the favorites for a change. Win Twins!

by b1 on Feb 26, 2011 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

I don't think so

You have to make the playoffs to have a chance at a WS ring so I’m always happy with a Division title.

I get the frustration that none of these trips have ended with a WS title but I’d rather the Twins have a shot than have the season end and watch another AL Central team advance.

by caluofmn on Feb 26, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Completely agree

I’m not satisfied with just winning the division, but it’s pretty much the only way to make the playoffs (Wild Card is tough to get out of the AL East). I’d rather make the playoffs then not. You can’t win a World Series without making the playoffs.

Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD

by Twins33 on Feb 26, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

For me, the Twins would be the favorite as long as Morneau looks good to go.

And Nathan helps. So far, so good with them, so I think it makes sense.

by Luke in MN on Feb 26, 2011 9:42 AM EST reply actions

"I have to admit I like it more when the Twins are playing to prove they are the class of the division"

Now the Twins just have to aim higher and prove they are the class of the league.

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Feb 26, 2011 11:13 AM EST reply actions

+100

Although I’m sure the boys want to do that every year. I hope this year it goes from a desire to a reality

by caluofmn on Feb 26, 2011 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, and I think they are the class of the whole game

But we should set out rights beyond just being the underdogs of the central division. Let’s prove to be the winning underdogs of the game!

"It happened in the moment, and it happened." - Carlos Gomez

by myjah on Feb 27, 2011 12:07 PM EST up reply actions

I like it better when we're considered the underdog

I feel the team does better when people count them out. Last year was probably the exception. Most still picked them, even after Nathan went down (though less confidently) and they ended up in the playoffs.

I remember in 2007 the Twins were picked to go far. I think someone even picked them to win the World Series. That didn’t go too well…

Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD

by Twins33 on Feb 26, 2011 3:44 PM EST reply actions

Where is

a link to this story?

by PHATJ1111 on Feb 26, 2011 6:18 PM EST reply actions

sorry no link

it’s from one of those baseball preview magazines. I didn’t name the one I bought b/c I didn’t want to spoil the story for other people who might buy it. :-)

by caluofmn on Feb 26, 2011 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

I get a little annoyed at first

when the “experts” don’t pick the twins to contend most years, but I also enjoy shoving the AL Central Title in all the white sox fans faces every year

by cdubs3201 on Mar 1, 2011 2:07 PM EST reply actions

I apparantly don't read the same things as most people

but the Twins were overwhelming favorites last year according to just about any site that does any numerical analysis before picking the winners. We were absolutely stacked last year. We have more question marks this year, and the other teams have gotten better.

"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"

by Steven Ellingson on Mar 1, 2011 8:56 PM EST reply actions