Twins trying to step into the stratosphere
By Rahul Mukherjee and La Velle E. Neal III • Star Tribune
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.