AL CENTRAL Preview Part 2

Ive been busy, its been awhile.

2nd place. Minnesota Twins (88-74)
Probably the toughest team for me to predict because they are so young, The Twins lost a one game playoff last year to the ChiSox only because it was played in Chicago instead of the Dome. This year they may improve enough to make the playoffs. For a team like the Twins, who play such fundamentally sound baseball and win a lot of one run games, young pitching will have to make slight improvements to win the division. Their best starter and obviously one of the most talented lefties in the majors, Francisco Liriano (6-3, 3.91 era. 67k's in 76 ip), will have to stay healthy for the first time since 2006 for the Twins to have a shot at the Central. Liriano has made only 14 starts since 2006 ended and his arrival on the squad in july coincided with the teams run to the playoffs. I expect regression from Kevin Slowey (12-11, 1.15whip) but as long as he keeps his walks down again, he will probably pitch 200 innings in 09. I expect Scott Baker (11-4, 3.45era) to maintain his numbers from last year, at least, because he has more strikeout potential than any other Twins pitcher, save for Liriano of course. Rounding out the rotation are the completely average lefty Glen Perkins (4.41 era., 1.47 whip) and righty Nate Blackburn (4.05 era, 1.36 whip). If they maintain their pace from last year, the Twins rotation is no worse than any other in the central. The difference may come down to closers, and the Twins have arguably the best there is. Joe Nathan (39 saves, 1.33era, .90 whip) just doesn't blow games. Well, maybe twice a year, but you get the point. The guy is nails.
As for offense, the Twins arent going to turn too many heads in that department. They do have alot of upside in Carlos Gomez (258 ba, 33 sbs), a potential gold glover in center. Possibly the biggest question offensively is the return of right fielder Michael Cuddyer, the teams third best hitter after Joe Mauer (328ba, 413obp) and Justin Morneau (300 ba, 129 rbis). Cuddyer missed more than half of 08 and, if he can come back and simply hit the average of his 06-07 numbers (280ba, 20hrs, 90 rbis), then this team has the potential to win the division. Their are few bigger home field advantages in baseball than the Metrodome and the Twins regularly win over 50 home games a year there. So if the pitching simply hits last years numbers, and minor improvements from youngster 2b Alexi Cassila and LF Delmon Young, this could be a really good year in the Twin Cities.