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Minnesota Twins April 2016 Preview

By Paul Overbee

Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Taylor Featherston (8) slides past the tag of Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) and scores on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Taylor Featherston (8) slides past the tag of Minnesota Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki (8) and scores on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 29, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (left) and right fielder Domingo Santana (16) cannot get to a ball hit by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (not pictured) during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Scooter Gennett (left) and right fielder Domingo Santana (16) cannot get to a ball hit by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (not pictured) during the second inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Week Three of April

Milwaukee Brewers: 18th, 19th, 20th, & 21st of April

Many people have already counted the Brewers out of contention in 2016. Milwaukee has been in a full rebuild mode since they traded away Carlos Gomez to the Houston Astros last July. They’ve also parted ways with short-stop Jean Segura in hopes of adding talent to their farm system. As the season approaches, many have speculated that Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun could be out of Milwaukee by the trade deadline. This all comes as good news to Twins fans, as the team faces the Brewers four times in April. Last year, despite Milwaukee’s clear troubles, the Twins were only able to win two of the six games between the two teams. Milwaukee has not become any stronger, and Minnesota believes they should contend this year. If the Twins struggle to take the Brewers to task in this April series, Minnesota could be in for a long season.

Prediction: Series Win

Washington Nationals: 22nd, 23rd, 24th of April

The Washington Nationals and the Minnesota Twins haven’t faced each other since 2013, and both teams have undergone drastic changes since that match-up. In the past few years, the Nationals have commonly been found on shortlists of teams that had the talent to compete in the playoffs. This off-season Washington was forced to let a lot of that talent go. The departure of Denard Span, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Yunel Escobar, and Doug Fister at first glance would make it appear as though the Nationals would be preparing for a rebuilding stage akin to the Brewers. Yet, the Nationals have made some quick acquisitions to retool their team to contend in 2016. Joining the likes of Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer are Ben Revere and Daniel Murphy. Though the team looks much different than they did in 2015, they are still expected to contend this season, and the Twins might have some difficulty outscoring or out pitching  in this late April series.

Prediction: Series Loss

Next: Week Four of April

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