2009 Minnesota Twins Odds & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on February 23, 2009

twins-22309 Winning division titles has been no problem at all for the Minnesota Twins. The problem has been winning in the postseason. The Twins have won four division titles since 2002, and came within a game of adding another one last season, but they have won only one playoff series during that stretch. Minnesota has another team capable of an AL Central crown, but the question remain if it can break through in October. Jimmy Boyd breaks down the 2009 Twins in this MLB betting preview. The Minnesota Twins are listed at +2500 to win the World Series.

Pitching
This is not the same rotation which featured ace Johan Santana, but it is still a solid one and it is young and still improving. Scott Baker, who just turned 27 last September will get the ball on Opening Day. The righthander was 11-4 with a 3.45 ERA and has shown the ability to pitch late in games consistently. Francisco Liriano showed glimpses of brilliance when he burst onto the scene in 2006, averaging 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. He stepped back on the hill in 2008 after surgery and averaged 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings. He might not be as good as he was, but he is still effective in giving batters a seat. He’ll have a full season with the Twins this year and that will tell us a lot about if Liriano can regain his 2006 form. Kevin Slowey went 12-11 with a 3.99 ERA. Those aren’t staggering numbers, but double digits wins is nothing to scoff at in this league, and he has a good strikeout to walk ratio. Nick Blackburn, who was brilliant in the teams 1-0 loss to the White Sox in last year’s tiebreaker game, and southpaw Glen Perkins round out the starting rotation.

The closer role is in good hands with Joe Nathan, who led all closers with at least 20 saves with a 1.33 ERA. Middle relief was a problem area in 2008 and the Twins will be looking for Jose Miljares, Matt Guerrier, and Jesse Crain to step up and get the job done this season.

Lineup
This lineup is built around the M and M team of catcher Joe Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau. Mauer has been the games best hitting catcher, leading all catchers with a .318 batting average since 2005. Mauer has a career on base percentage of .399, largely because he is a patient hitter who draws a lot of walks. Clean up hitter Justin Morneau finished second in the AL MVP voting behind Boston’s Dustin Pedroia. His 370 RBIs since 2006 are good for third most in the majors. He slugged 23 homeruns and drove in a staggering 129 runs in 2008. Denard Span filled the void at the top of the order in his rookie season. The left fielder posted a .387 on base percentage. It was also a breakout season fro switch hitting second basemen Alexi Casilla, who hit .281 despite battling a thumb injury. The Twins will be looking for a bounce back season from right fielder Michael Cuddyer who limited to just 71 games due to Fluke injuries. DH Jason Kubel proved that he can put up decent power numbers with a 20 homerun 78 RBI season, but he was awful against southpaws (.232). Third baseman Brian Buscher, shortstop Nick Punto, and center fielder Carlos Gomez round out the projected order.

Prediction: 1st AL Central
2008 was supposed to be a down year for the Twins, but they came within a game of another Central crown. Minnesota should be even better this season and that likely means that it will rise to the top. The Minnesota Twins are listed at +175 to win the AL Central.

Make this a season to remember by doing your MLB betting with 2007 MLB World Champion Handicapper Jimmy Boyd. Jimmy’s baseball picks have been the most sought after in the industry for nearly a decade. Beat the MLB odds with Jimmy Boyd in 2009.

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