10&5 Official Team Preview: Outdoor Baseball In Minnesota

The Twins, arguably, played the best baseball game of the entire 2009 year on their 163rd regular season game. It was the last glorious night in Metrodome Twins' history, as the Yankees completed the Division Series sweep against them in the final game in Metrodome history. Given that there hasn’t been a whole lot of movement with the Twins this offseason, except for the signings of Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome, one of the biggest questions will be, how will the Twins play in Target Field?

Let’s face it, given the rash of new ballpark openings and every sports architecture firm doing their best at play “balancing”, we simply don’t know how a ballpark will favor hitters or pitchers. The Mets had no clue how much their new ballpark played a role in David Wright’s power drought. The Yankees didn’t know they had the next band box. Bottom line is Target Field itself has the potential to make or break Minnesota. And let’s not yet talk about any home field advantage of playing outdoors in the cold of Minnesota for a potential playoff berth.

*Biggest Strength:

Their offense ranked 4th in on-base percentage, 3rd in batting average, and 4th in runs scored last year in the American League. Justin Morneau, Mike Cuddyer, and Jason Kubel will bring a fair amount of production, especially when anchored by reigning AL MVP Joe Mauer. Orlando Hudson will surely provide an offensive boost and a perennially hungry Jim Thome will add his spark. Put it this way, up and down the Twins lineup are hitters that give pitchers nightmares. Expect a lot of runs, unless the ballpark says otherwise.

*Biggest Weakness:

It’s easy to blame the pitching staff… but with the numbers they put up last year and the lack of movement in signing quality pitchers, you have to blame the pitching staff again. They surrendered 4.50 team ERA and gave up more homeruns than everyone except the Orioles in the American League. Carl Pavano cannot be their long term answer and the Twins are desperate to get Francisco Liriano back to his 2006 form. Luckily the Twins have a wonderfully-crafted offense to keep them in the game when their starting pitchers decide to take an early rest.

*Players to Watch Out For:

Jason Kubel’s Average OPS, Slugging, Homers, and RBIs have increased year over year for the past three years. He’s a relative unknown buried in a star powered offense, but another increase in production means he’s on Mauer’s level of offensive fortitude. If Kubel keeps working his magic, the Twins can be scary.

*Best Case Scenario:

Liriano finds his 2006 form, Carl Pavano finds his 2004 form, and Joe Nathan has his annual spectacular season (hoping his current pitching arm scare is just a scare). This combined with their hitting means they are a force in the American League. Should they hit a groove early on in the season and not need a 163rd game to get into the playoffs. Expect them to go deep. Way deep.

*Worst Case Scenario:

Target Field becomes Coors Field central. The Twins' ERA balloons to over 5.00 for the season. As good as their hitting is, the inconsistency of the pitching staff combined with the friendly confines of Target Field makes it impossible for the team to remain competitive in a division where the Tigers (now with a SOBER Miguel Cabrera) are ever looming.