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Minnesota Twins: Holding Steady in the MLB Power Rankings

By Jordan Ison

Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) covers first base for the out during the tenth inning at Target Field. The White Sox win 3-1 over the Twins in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) covers first base for the out during the tenth inning at Target Field. The White Sox win 3-1 over the Twins in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an up and down week, the Minnesota Twins have held their ground in the middle of the pack in this week’s MLB Power Rankings.

A week ago, the Minnesota Twins made the biggest jump in the MLB power rankings by jumping 14 spots up to number 14. After the second week of MLB baseball, the Twins are staying steady by moving down only one spot.

The Minnesota Twins didn’t quite have the same performance in week two of the 2017 campaign as they did in week one. The Twins went 2-4 in two series against the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox.

Even with the losing record, Minnesota only dropped one spot in the MLB power rankings to number 15 due to their performance staying strong. Their two wins were quality wins – winning one 11-5 and the other 6-0 after a gem by Ervin Santana.

The Minnesota Twins now sit at 7-5, in second place of the AL Central. One main reason the Twins were able to avoid a down-slide in the power rankings is their run differential. Even with a 7-5 record, the Twins hold a +23 differential, tied as the best in the MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The pitching rotation and bullpen have been able to continue their incredible success through week 2 of the MLB season. The Twins have a 2.66 ERA from their starters and 2.11 from their bullpen, led by the incredible season thus far by Ervin Santana.

Santana is now 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA and only 5 hits given up in 3 games started.

Santana is now 3-0 with a 0.41 ERA and only 5 hits given up in 3 games started. The veteran pitcher capped off his incredible start to the season with a one-hit shutout of the White Sox in a 6-0 Twins’ victory on Saturday.

The Minnesota Twins’ bats sure have cooled off, though. Besides their 11-run outburst against the Tigers on Thursday, the Twins only scored 6 runs in the other 5 games. The Twins’ offense will have to improve if they want to hang around the top of their division for much longer.

In conclusion, it wasn’t as bad of a week as it could’ve been for the Minnesota Twins. With how badly they hit the ball, the Twins were fortunate to come away with two wins this week and stay in the middle of the pack in the MLB Power Rankings.

Going forward, Minnesota will have to get some support for their pitching staff. The pitching has been fantastic, but great pitching can only go so far. To win games, you have to score runs, and the Twins’ offense needs to get the bats rolling again in week 3 of the MLB season.

Next: Minnesota Twins Fantasy Plays for the Week of April 17

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