2006 Minnesota Twins Predictions & Season Preview
With our 2006 Minnesota Twins predictions we are noting that the days for this team at the top of the American League Central are over. They took a back seat to Indians and White Sox last season as they won just 83 games after producing better than 90 victories in each of their previous 3 seasons. With the AL Central continuing to improve, pushing the AL East for the best division in baseball, the Minnesota Twins will have their work cut out for them again this year Minnesota fans should be prepared to face finishes in the middle of the pack for the rest of the decade at least. If you want proof, the Twins were just 16-21 versus the World Champion White Sox and emerging Cleveland Indians last season. They will have to do a better job against the top teams in the division if they want to get back to their AL Central dominance but I just don‘t see it happening. On the bright side, one sign of a good team is beating the teams that you are supposed to beat. The Twins were very successful against the remainder of their division foes, the Tigers and Royals, winning 24 of 38 games. You should expect this inner-division dominance to continue, especially at home, as Minnesota is a remarkable 108-49 as a home favorite within their division the past 5 seasons.
Johan Santana is off to a bit of a rough start, but I’m not doubting that he won’t have another solid year. The Twins have a durable ace in Santana. He’s in great shape and his mechanics are flawless. Barring any kind of a fluke, he’ll be injury free and productive. When he’s on the hill, the Twins are a safe bet, especially at home, and you can fully expect him to continue the dominance he has shown over the last two seasons. The other Twins’ starters will need to step things up to help out their south paw sensation. Brad Radke struggled last year, going 9-12 and Carlos Silva was just 9-8. Both of these guys were hampered by the injury bug, so hopefully that had more to do with their disappointing season’s a year ago.
Minnesota desperately needs to improve on offense if they want to jump up in the standings as the other division teams like the Whitesox, who already have a big slugger in Konerko added another one in Thome. For the Twins, catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau are a couple of young guys who should continue to get better as they get more experience, but they are going to need Shannon Stewart and Tori Hunter to step it up and regain their old form. The additions to the lineup are Luis Castillo and Rondell White. How are these guys going to help you out when the Whitesox are getting a Jim Thome and you’re getting a couple of grandpas?
I’m counting the Twins out in 2006, but their tactical play on offense and their great defensive play keeps them in most every game. If they can get on the winning side of their close games, they could be a big surprise this season. But as for now, I’m not biting on the Twins being overly impressive.
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