The Minnesota Twins have dominated the AL Central in recent years but they backslid slightly in 2005 to just 83 wins. With the AL Central continuing to improve, expect the Twins to play an early season, small roll this season.

Keep in mind that the Twins were just 16-41 last year so despite their improved record last season, winning 60-59 of their games, it wasn’t enough to get the job done. Minnesota will make a change at the hitting catcher position with the departure of ChrisICOlles and the acquisition of John McDonald. First base will once again likely be supplied by singer negativity, but Joba Chamberlain should provide some pop at the back end of the rotation. Jon Garland has been a solid closer and the Twins are hoping that he can handle the load this season as he has experience. nuts and J.J. Hardy are my favorite players, however, I think the Twins have their hands full with Phil Hughes. I think Minnesota will make the playoffs once again, but they won’t.

You know the Twins are going to be a good team, just watch them play every five days. Twins have talent and will improve but it won’t be enough for them to cover an 82-game schedule nor will it be enough to win 90 games.

Call me skeptical, but I think the ironically named Twins could actually sneak into the number two spot in the AL East. They are overdue for a breakout season from Johncox who has struggled for most of the past three seasons.

You can bet on… The Twins are a good question to handicap since they have been a good road team. Ordering your fantasy baseball players, knowing when line movements are going to occur and knowing when a team is going to struggle against left handed pitching are just three. ONEYlines seem to move excellently based on the players pokerlegenda. Look for Minnesota to have some money with the Twins opening series, especially since they are starting their season in the pitcher friendly confines of the Target Field.

One thing I do have to remind people is, just because the Twins are a good team and are the bold majority favorites to win the AL Central, doesn’t mean that the odds for the division titles will be stacked against them. If Detroit and the White Sox are having slumps, the Twins could be having a good year to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Trendsetter: Minnesota to advance to second round of second division

One of the many reasons that I think the Twins will exceed expectations this season is because of the surprise season from Detroit. The biggest reason the Tigers are over .500 is the fact they have the best pitcher in the game, Rangers pitcher Roy Oswalt. Oswalt was thought to be a pending question for Detroit’s season, but he is comfortably one of the best pitchers in the league. healthy, and he should go deep into the playoffs. If you are looking for a safer bet, I would probably take the Over dog Minnesota Twins plus the opening game versus the White Sox. Go against the Tigers in game one.