MLB: 5 teams playing way over their heads
By Robby Sabo
Minnesota Twins
Something has to give in the AL Central.
With 108 victories among the five-teams, no division in baseball can claim they’re better.
The division showcases three-teams who have already won 20-plus: Kansas City Royals (26-14), Detroit Tigers (25-17), and the Minnesota Twins (23-17).
It’s obvious to everyone. These Twins will not sustain this early season success. It’s a case similar to the Astros, but one that can’t touch the shock value.
While Houston remains an organization who could possibly keep up the pace, the Twins have no legitimate shot. That’s not to say they future isn’t bright, but for 2015, April and May will prove to be their most pleasant of months.
Look at the rotation. Phil Hughes, Ervin Santana, Ricky Nolasco, Kyle Gibson and Mike Pelfrey is simply not enough to get the job done. As a whole, their pitching staff is sporting a 4.17 earned run average which puts them in the lower third of MLB.
This rotation is a high contact staff who heavily relies on defense. Only Nolasco possess a K/9 rate that even comes close to sniffing nine (22 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched).
Granted, Major League staffs have had prior success as a whole by pitching to contact, but it’s very difficult in this day and age (high strikeout rates) to sustain group brilliance.
Gibson and Pelfrey lead the way with a 2.98 and 3.00 ERA respectively. For general manager Terry Ryan, reinforcements will be needed once one, or even both of these guys fall off.
Unfortunately for the club, their top-two pitching prospects – according to Baseball America – aren’t yet in Triple-A. Jose Berrios is pitching well in Double-A Chattanooga, while Kohl Stewart is still a baby (20 years old) in high Single-A.
Furthermore, highly-touted Alex Meyer has struggled mightily this season in Triple-A Rochester (2-3, 7.09 ERA).
The only chance they have to compete for a playoff spot is for this lineup, who has pleasantly surprised, to keep up the torrid pace.
Don’t hold your breathe though. It’s tough to image 39-year old Tori Hunter continuing this power-pace of 25 round-trippers. Sure, he did hit 17 last year with Detroit, but the Twins finishing the season sixth in all of baseball in offense (where they rank right now) is a rough idea to grasp.
Next: Number 2