Good morning and Happy Monday Twins fans. The team is in first in the division, but is it too early to say the Minnesota Twins are in the “must win” category? From a statistical perspective it is certainly early to claim, but from a practical point of view there may be a very strong case.
Sitting five games over .500, the Twins’ next 17 games are against sub-.500 competition, but the month of June will see a step up in competition. This makes the remainder of May a very important piece in the long term contention of the team as we near the quarter pole of the season. What does this mean for the Twins right now?
The Minnesota Twins are in first now, but could this mean a move would help the team?
It means now is window to pile up some victories. I believe a mark of 11-6 at minimum is needed for the Minnesota Twins to put themselves into legit Central Division contention for the second half of the season. This would leave the Twins some wiggle room into June to play at .500 or slightly below. A .500 June would be a good goal considering the level of competition.
The evidenced cracks in the Twins starting rotation are beginning to expand a bit. The starting staff ERA is beginning to creep above 3.50, a watermark of sorts for success. The bullpen has improved play, but is it sustainable?
Chris Paddack has gone on the 60-Day injured list with a possible season ending elbow injury. Chris Archer’s long term role is trending to be more of a usable opener than a innings eater starter. Dylan Bundy has had some good starts but his long term sustainability remains a question mark.
If the Twins were to reverse that record and finish May at or below .500 I do not like their chances of heading onto July with a winning record. One can’t say now is the time for must wins, but now is the opportunity to show the Central Division the Twins are here to contend.
Come on fellas, get healthy and make that push! Summer is so much more fun with a contending Twins team to cheer for.