Twins In 1st But Can Still Do More

Today is August 17th and the Minnesota Twins are a first place baseball team. I am not surprised at all, mainly because this is what happens when a bunch of teams play a bunch of games. Usually the one with the most talent ends up on the high side of things. Minnesota has a 3 game lead on Chicago going into a huge 3 game series with the White Sox. Both teams have their top 3 pitchers going so we are going to get a good idea of who is the better team. At this pace (68-50), the Twins are projected to finish with 93 wins. Right around the number I put them at for the beginning of the season.

What is also a key note is what Minnesota is trying to do here. All I have heard as of recent is now that the Twins have taken over first place, can they hold off the White Sox. That is not the right question. For the Twins to remain hungry the need to set a goal and put a target on another team's back. That team is the Texas Rangers. As of right now it is pretty obvious that the Wild Card will be coming out of the Al East and whether that team is New York or Tampa Bay should concern you. Minnesota and Texas are currently battling out for the number 2 seed on the playoffs, winner will get home field advantage against the Wild Card team in the ALDS. Just imagine games 1 and 2 in rocking Target Field rather then game 3 of what could be a game clincher.

As of right now the Twins hold a half game lead for that spot over Texas and the teams play a huge 4 game series in Arlington next week and another series first weekend of September that will take place in Target Field.

But, back to now Minnesota is trying to do big things now and that is bury the hatchet for the White Sox. If the Twins can take 1 game in this series they are still in pretty good shape with a 2 game lead. If they can take 2 games this week from Chicago they will be up 4 games and if they can really lay down the hammer with a sweep they will be up 6 games with 40 to go. Scott Baker will take the hill tonight against Chicago's ace Jon Danks. Fransisco Liriano will face off against Gavin Floyd on Wendesday and Carl Pavano will look for win number 16 against Mark Buehrle.