Metrodome Memories

With Opening Day for the Twins tomorrow, the team is beginning the season with optimism. There is reason for it too. Despite losing stars Johan Santana and Torii Hunter over the winter, the Twins will field a competitive team that will be hard to play.

The lineup has plenty of players who will hit and score runs.  Topping them is former MVP Justin Morneau at first, homeboy Joe Mauer behind the plate, corner outfielders Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer and Mike Lamb at the hot corner. The team will be sound defensively, especially with new shortstop Adam Everett. The only weakness on the offensive side might be speed, where Carlos Gomez is the only real threat on the basepaths.

The team’s Achilles heel might be its starting pitching. With Liriano beginning the season in the minors and several starters battling various ailments throughout the Spring, the outset looks a little shaky. This is even more apparent given that the Twins’ Opening Day Starter is Livan Hernandez, a pitcher who logs innings but will frustrate Twin’s fans with his inconsistency.

The bullpen will be a strength, especially since closer Joe Nathan signed an extension recently, and he will be aided by solid relievers such as Pat Neshek and Jesse Crain. The bullpen might have more work on their hands if the rotation struggles.

Losing players of the caliber of Santana and Hunter will hurt any team and many people have written off the Twins for this season. While it is unrealistic to expect another AL Central crown, the best the Twins can possibly achieve is fourth in the division, ahead of the Royals. Cleveland is too loaded and could win the division if Detroit can’t find pitching. Kenny Williams always keeps the White Sox in the discussion. Then again something always seems to happen to teams that is not expected at the outset of the season, like the White Sox’s step back last season. The Twins will be competitive, but might not contend for the AL Central for a few years.