Twins trying to step into the stratosphere

After making the American League playoffs with 85 victories, the Twins will try to challenge for a division title, and that means winning even more games.

Stats used

Numbers listed below for each team are based on PECOTA projections from Baseball Prospectus for the 2018 season.

RS Runs scored RA Runs allowed
AVG Batting average OBP On-base percentage
SLG Slugging percentage TAv True average
WARP Wins above replacement player
  • Elite Teams
  • Playoff Hopefuls
  • Hoping for a Spark

Elite teams

These teams seem like playoff locks on paper, but we all know how injuries and fate can derail the best of ambitions.

AL west

Houston

Astros

W 99

L 63


rs

845

ra

661

AVG

.265

obp

.332

slg

.447

TAv

.272

WARP

46.2


The World Series champs traded for pitcher Gerrit Cole and will have Justin Verlander for the entire season. Eek.

AL EAST

New York

Yankees

W 97

L 65


rs

829

ra

668

AVG

.252

obp

.326

slg

.443

TAv

.266

WARP

41.6


The Bronx will be a launching pad this year, with NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton joining Aaron Judge and friends.

NL west

Los Angeles

Dodgers

W 97

L 65


rs

796

ra

643

AVG

.250

obp

.324

slg

.425

TAv

.265

WARP

41.7


After losing in Game 7 to Houston, the Dodgers look to take that elusive next step without making splashy moves.

al central

Cleveland

Indians

W 96

L 66


rs

797

ra

653

AVG

.261

obp

.330

slg

.420

TAv

.260

WARP

38.7


Still fueled by a strong rotation, Cleveland must absorb the losses of Carlos Santana, Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith to free agency.

NL Central

Chicago

Cubs

W 91

L 71


rs

814

ra

700

AVG

.255

obp

.332

slg

.437

TAv

.264

WARP

36.7


Jake Arrieta is gone, but Yu Darvish has replaced him in the rotation. The core of this team remains young and extremely talented.

al east

Boston

Red Sox

W 89

L 73


rs

753

ra

680

AVG

.266

obp

.327

slg

.422

TAv

.261

WARP

34.6


This is a likable team, with talented position players and power arms. But they are in the same division as the Yankees.

NL East

Washington

Nationals

W 88

L 74


rs

786

ra

713

AVG

.262

obp

.325

slg

.423

TAv

.257

WARP

31.8


Dave Martinez is the latest new manager brought in to win that elusive World Series title — during Bryce Harper’s final season before free agency.

Playoff hopefuls

These teams are believed to be making a jump based on strong offseasons or are holding firm after good 2017 runs.

NL west

Arizona

Diamondbacks

W 87

L 75


rs

724

ra

669

AVG

.247

obp

.315

slg

.397

TAv

.251

WARP

27.9


They have postseason hopes despite losing J.D. Martinez and Fernando Rodney to free agency. MVP threat Paul Goldschmidt still around.

NL Central

Milwaukee

Brewers

W 84

L 78


rs

764

ra

734

AVG

.251

obp

.316

slg

.411

TAv

.253

WARP

27.1


They will hit, as Christian Yelich joins three players who smashed 30-plus homers last season. Is the rotation built for the postseason?

NL Central

St. Louis

Cardinals

W 85

L 77


rs

753

ra

718

AVG

.254

obp

.324

slg

.415

TAv

.258

WARP

30.6


Marcell Ozuna will boost a lineup desperate for middle-of-the-order thump. But will they regret letting Lance Lynn leave as a free agent?

al central

Minnesota

Twins

W 82

L 80


rs

796

ra

780

AVG

.255

obp

.329

slg

.433

TAv

.257

WARP

26.7


Coming off 85 victories, the Twins made a slew of late moves to deepen their roster in an attempt to catch up to Cleveland.

al west

Seattle

Mariners

W 82

L 80


rs

780

ra

769

AVG

.262

obp

.324

slg

.422

TAv

.263

WARP

31.1


Injuries decimated the Mariners’ starting staff last season, so if the starters rebound, they’ll challenge. Dee Gordon was a nice addition.

Nl east

New York

Mets

W 80

L 82


rs

723

ra

727

AVG

.245

obp

.305

slg

.405

TAv

.251

WARP

24.4


Mickey Callaway takes over a talented rotation that, when healthy, can make New York tough to beat.

al west

Los Angeles

Angels

W 79

L 83


rs

782

ra

796

AVG

.250

obp

.322

slg

.421

TAv

.261

WARP

28.9


The Angels have Mike Trout and won the sweepstakes for Shohei Ohtani, but their starting rotation still lacks depth.

al east

Toronto

Blue Jays

W 79

L 83


rs

766

ra

782

AVG

.251

obp

.323

slg

.426

TAv

.261

WARP

26.2


Righthander Aaron Sanchez looks ready to return to ace status after making four trips to the DL last season.

NL West

Colorado

Rockies

W 78

L 84


rs

733

ra

764

AVG

.258

obp

.316

slg

.427

TAv

.248

WARP

21.6


Colorado invested $104 million in free-agent relievers Jake McGee, Wade Davis and Bryan Shaw to help its postseason dreams.

Hoping for a spark

These teams are rebuilding, regurgitating or reneging on promises to their fans.

al east

Tampa Bay

Rays

W 83

L 79


rs

710

ra

693

AVG

.249

obp

.308

slg

.391

TAv

.252

WARP

28.1


When the Twins pilfer your players, you know it’s a fire sale. Pitcher Chris Archer is bound to land on the trade block.

Nl west

San Francisco

Giants

W 83

L 79


rs

695

ra

681

AVG

.253

obp

.318

slg

.391

TAv

.257

WARP

27.5


Hope the cure for a 95-loss team is better health plus the additions of Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen.

NL East

Philadelphia

Phillies

W 81

L 81


rs

746

ra

745

AVG

.243

obp

.312

slg

.410

TAv

.252

WARP

23.6


Carlos Santana, Pat Neshek and Jake Arrieta have been signed to help speed up the youth movement.

nl east

Miami

Marlins

W 65

L 97


rs

675

ra

832

AVG

.252

obp

.308

slg

.389

TAv

.246

WARP

11.1


One of the most productive outfields in baseball has been dealt away, and new owner Derek Jeter is under fire.

nl central

Pittsburgh

Pirates

W 78

L 84


rs

703

ra

732

AVG

.254

obp

.314

slg

.396

TAv

.250

WARP

24.4


Fans are still wobbling from 1-2 punch of trading Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco and Gerrit Cole to Houston.

al west

Oakland

Athletics

W 76

L 86


rs

778

ra

833

AVG

.246

obp

.319

slg

.439

TAv

.261

WARP

22.8


Not ready for prime time, but they have some young hitters, such as Matt Olson, worth keeping an eye on.

NL east

Atlanta

Braves

W 76

L 86


rs

704

ra

755

AVG

.253

obp

.315

slg

.315

TAv

.249

WARP

20.1


The youth movement continues. Try to watch outfielder Ronald Acuna play without your jaw dropping to the ground.

al west

Texas

Rangers

W 75

L 87


rs

790

ra

844

AVG

.258

obp

.332

slg

.427

TAv

.258

WARP

22.8


The Rangers are trying to close the gap in the West ... with help from Tim Lincecum and Bartolo Colon?

NL central

Cincinnati

Reds

W 75

L 87


rs

764

ra

831

AVG

.249

obp

.320

slg

.408

TAv

.251

WARP

18.7


Great. Cincy has young pitching coming. Meanwhile, the best years of Joey Votto are being wasted.

NL West

San Diego

Padres

W 73

L 89


rs

680

ra

761

AVG

.239

obp

.299

slg

.379

TAv

.258

WARP

16.6


Another rebuilding team recently added a very good mentor in free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer.

al central

Chicago

White Sox

W 72

L 90


rs

737

ra

842

AVG

.250

obp

.310

slg

.412

TAv

.250

WARP

15.7


Beat them up now while they are down, but there’s too much young talent here. They’ll turn things around soon.

al east

Baltimore

Orioles

W 70

L 92


rs

743

ra

859

AVG

.256

obp

.312

slg

.439

TAv

.257

WARP

18.1


Despite Alex Cobb signing, starting pitching can’t hold up in a top-heavy division, and Manny Machado could be gone by trade deadline.

al central

Detroit

Tigers

W 68

L 94


rs

722

ra

857

AVG

.260

obp

.318

slg

.412

TAv

.247

WARP

12.2


Ron Gardenhire’s return to managing will require patience as he leads a flock of inexperienced players.

al central

Kansas City

Royals

W 65

L 97


rs

693

ra

856

AVG

.249

obp

.308

slg

.395

TAv

.246

WARP

8.7


The rebuild is underway in Kansas City as the front office looks to cut more payroll and build the farm system.

Source: Baseball Prospectus