TC Huddle

The Twins on the Up

TC Huddle — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:20:40 +0000

(Photo Courtesy of www.startribune.com)

The Minnesota Twins are slowly rebuilding their game and after a few less than stellar seasons it looks like they are finally on the up. It’s largely thanks to general manager Terry Ryan’s long-term approach to rebuild the team and bring in new blood that the Twins are finally getting out of the hole they have dug, some say due to Bill Smith’s blunders. Some fans, though, still are irritated by the slow progress. Slow and steady wins the race has always been Terry Ryan’s moto, and this season is no different. Fans would be wise to reserve judgment until at least the All Star break. Ryan orchestrated teams have aged slowly likely a fine wine.

Following the disastrous Bill Smith era, Ryan had his work cut out for him in rebuilding a team and an organization that had all but fallen apart. After two straight seasons at the bottom of the division, a lot of fans gave up watching the games the last two seasons. Even more gave up other forms of entertainment and gambling (legally) on our Twins, such as winning big at Gaming Club mobile casino, With any luck, though, the Twins and the fans will be back on top this season.

The Twins surprised fans with a 12-12 record in their first 24 games of 2013. There is hope for a number of the up and comers both currently on the roster and in the minors, like catcher Kyle Knudsen and pitcher D.J Baxendale, who have both had great starts in the minors. Twins franchise cornerstones, Joe Mauer and former American League MVP Justin Moreneau still form the nucleus of the team. If any success happens this year, it will be on the shoulders of the M&M boys. But they alone won’t be enough to get them back on track. The rest of the team, up until now has been made up of average players who are battling injuries and age, but Ryan has changed this again since becoming the GM once again. Ryan’s strategy, as always, has been to stockpile talented, up and coming stars to help get the team back on track and restored to its former glory as a baseball force to be reckoned with.

Ryan’s plan is paying off and the Twins have already drastically improved their walk rate, currently leading the AL in fewest walks allowed. They do however also currently lead the AL in the fewest strike outs. Something that likely won’t change throughout the season either without an ace on the staff. It’s reminiscent of the Brad Radke days. Fans can see a drastic improvement in the team and their ERA went from next to last in the AL in 2012, to tie for 5^th in 2013, proving that although progress is slow, it’s definite. Just like a Terry Ryan team should be.

Kevin Correia: Minnesota’s Unlikely Ace?

TC Huddle — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:09:54 +0000

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It is just one month into the 2013 MLB season, but the Minnesota Twins have to be somewhat pleased with their 11-12 start. Sure, it is hard to get excited about being just below .500, but many were worried that injuries and inexperience would cause the Twins to struggle mightily all season long. One of the reasons they are at least hanging around for now is the emergence of right-hander Kevin Correia. After a strong April, can the journeyman be the unlikely ace of the staff in 2013?

With a 60-65 record and an ERA around 4.50 for his career before this season, the Twins did not expect much when they signed him to a two-year deal in the offseason. Mostly, they knew Correia was a durable arm capable of eating up some innings. With so many top prospects still needing work, Correia was considered to be a stop-gap. However, if he can continue to pitch like he did in April, he could be with the team for a while, and is one to consider for your daily fantasy sports lineups.

In his first five starts of the year, Correia is 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA. He continues to rely on his stuff and location, as the 32-year old has walked just five batters in 36.1 innings. Not only is he pitching well, but he is giving the bullpen a rest on his days to start as well. He has pitched at least seven innings every time he has taken the mound so far this year.

Before fans in Minnesota get too excited, it must be said that his track record shows a much different pitcher. One cause for concern is that he is a finesse pitcher, so he can never rely on blowing the ball past hitters. He has also historically been a streaky pitcher, which means he could fall back to his career numbers at some point this season. He is still learning about the American League, but that can also work in a pitcher’s favor if a lot of the hitters have never seen him pitch.

If the Twins have any hopes of sticking around and contending, Correia has to come through. Expect him to have an above average season this year, but keeping up his April form is going to be tough. He should still be one of the top pitchers for Minnesota all year long though.

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Minnesota Marathon

TC Huddle — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 21:36:15 +0000

(Photo Courtesy of minnesota.publicradio.org)

Will we see local winners on Minnesota’s roads?

It’s less than three months to go before some 10 000 runners will line at the start of the 37th Grandma’s Marathon on Old Highway 61. For many, it’s an opportunity to reach a personal goal, but for a handful of elite athletes, it’s to win the $10 000 first prize. But the question on many minds, with the increase in international interest, can an American take the title?

Three time consecutive winner Mary Akor and Christopher Raabe were the last Americans to take their respective titles in 2009. Since then, the field has been dominated by a strong field of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners.

The runners flocking to the event will bring with it a huge amount of business to Duluth. Interestingly, despite the increasing numbers taking to the road, and despite the increase in foreign interest, the course record time of 2:09:37 by Wayzata, Minnesota native Dick Beardsley still stands 31-years later.

This year, 120 official elite athletes will take part in the 26.2 mile run and are looking to break that record. The women’s record of 2:27:05 was set in 2003 by Russia’s Firiya Sultanova. An American has only won the title 28 times, out of the possible 72 titles and bets are heating up at online casinos as to whether the locals can win it back.

It’s a hotly contested marathon that in 2011 famously had its first photo-finish: eventual winner Kenyan Christopher Kipyego mistook the electronic timing mat for the finish point and prematurely stopped, leading to an impromptu sprint finish against Ethiopian Teklu Deneke. Just two tenths of a second ended up separating the pair.

October means the Twin Cities marathon was ranked as the third most competitive marathon for American runners by Running Times magazine. Homegrown Jeannette Faber took the ladies’ title last year, but it’s another race with international interest with Kenyan, Ethiopian and Russian winners in the past. Will Faber be able to defend her title? Will American athletes take the podium this year in Minnesota’s marathons?

If not, there’s always the much smaller but safer bet of an American winning the Minneapolis Marathon which has only had local winners in its 4 year history.

Looking Towards The Future In Minnesota

TC Huddle — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:50:33 +0000

(Photo Courtesy of projectprospect.com)

While Spring Training is often thought as the season of optimism, many Minnesota Twins fans are not all that excited about 2013. Yes, they still have franchise cornerstone Joe Mauer and former American League MVP Justin Morneau, but the rest of the team is mostly made up of average players with very little star power. Even their stars appear to be on the downside of their careers, battling both age and past injuries.

Without completely writing off 2013, there is a reason to be optimistic when it comes to Minnesota Twins baseball. They have stockpiled a number of young, talented players to either use at the MLB level, or to use as trade pieces. Here is a look at three for fans and fantasy baseball players to follow in 2013, or players to put your best sport betting bets down for.

Miguel Sano

In a minor league system full of talent, most have him as the best of the bunch. The third baseman won’t turn 20 years old until May, so he is still a ways away from the MLB level. However, in 2012, he hit .258/.373/.521 with 28 home runs, 100 RBI and even a few stolen bases. He has tremendous power, and his glove right now is solid enough to remain an outfielder. His 144 strikeouts are a bit of a concern right now, but he is progressing nicely and should be ready in the next two years.

Byron Buxton

Another teenager, Buxton projects to be in the outfield somewhere for the Twins in the next two or three seasons. He was the second overall pick a season ago, and his top-level speed is what sets him apart right now. His power and discipline is being worked on at the Rookie and A levels, but right now they are still as high on him as ever. Be patient with him since he is still fresh out of high school.

Aaron Hicks

While Kyle Gibson, Oswaldo Arcia, Alex Meyer and Eddie Rosario are all extremely talented players in the system, Hicks is one guy who could very well be a starter in 2013. The Twins are looking at him to possibly be their centerfielder this season, mainly due to his defense. His bat is still coming around, but he appears to be major league ready.

TC Huddle

The Twins on the Up

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