Minnesota Twins: 2015 Season Preview, Predictions and More
Mar 17, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Phil Hughes(45) throws a pitch in the second inning of the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
The Rotation
The Twins starting rotation will look similar in 2015 to how it did 2014. We all better hope the performance looks sharply different. Phil Hughes will pitch on Opening Day following his very good 2014. He set an all-time MLB record for strikeout to walk ratio and was far and away he Twins best starter after struggling mightily at the end of his time with the New York Yankees. He was rewarded for his excellent 2014 with a three year, $42 million contract extension, a move that I like.
The new face in the Twins rotation will be Ervin Santana. He can eat innings and although he has had a propensity for giving up homers in the past, moving to the wide open spaces of Target Field should help. Santana has a career ERA of 4.15, but has thrown for a sub-4.00 ERA each of the past two seasons. A repeat of that performance would be a very welcome sight for the residents of Twins Territory.
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At the back end of the rotation, Ricky Nolasco is looking to bounce back after a disastrous 2014. He is saying all the right things in camp. His chance to prove himself will be coming starting next week. Kyle Gibson was solid, if not spectacular last season and will look to build on that. Finally, Tommy Milone has officially been named the 5th starter over Alex Meyer, Trevor May and Mike Pelfrey. Milone has pitched well enough this spring to earn his spot to fill out the rotation. That said, injuries and ineffectiveness are realities that crop up every season. I would not be surprised to see each of them start games for the Twins this season.
Simply put, no team can survive with the level of pitching the Twins have produced the past few years. Until it gets fixed, the team will stay at or near the bottom of the American League Central.
Next: The Bullpen