Given the events at the trading deadline, one might get the impression that Twins fans are already printing up playoff tickets. Definitely not the case. In fact, we freely recognize that the Guardians have slightly better pitching, while the Twins (believe it or not) have slightly better hitting.
I believe the season will boil down to the 6 games remaining between the two teams. I have Cleveland – the more desperate team – winning 5 of the 6 games. Minnesota’s schedule is easier than Cleveland’s, which might end up making the difference. That, and that pesky Detroit Tigers team that lives for feasting on the AL Central.
Let’s start the prediction with the current records (Minnesota 60-57; Cleveland 56-60). The Twins have a 3 ½ game lead going into this weekend’s games.
Minnesota at Philadelphia: The Phillies win 2 of 3.
Cleveland at Tampa Bay Tampa Bay: The Rays win 2-3. Minnesota (61-59) still has a 3 ½ game lead in the division over the Guardians (57-62).
Minnesota vs. Detroit: Each team wins 1 game.
Cleveland at Cincinnati: Each team wins 1 game. Minnesota maintains it’s 3 ½ game lead.
Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh: Minnesota sweeps 3-0.
Cleveland vs. Detroit: Each team wins 2 games. Minnesota (65-60) opens up a 5-game lead on the Guardians (60-65).
Minnesota at Milwaukee: Milwaukee sweeps both games.
Cleveland vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: LA wins 2 of 3. Minnesota’s (65-62) lead is whittled to 4 ½ games over the Guardians (61-67).
Minnesota vs. Texas: The Rangers win 3 of 4.
Cleveland at Toronto: The Blue Jays win 2 of 3. The lead is cut to 4 games (Minnesota 66-65; Cleveland 62-69).
Cleveland at Minnesota: The Guardians sweep the 3 games at Target Field. The Twins (66-68) lead is down to 1 game over the Guardians (65-69).
Minnesota at Texas: The Rangers win 2 of 3.
Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay Tampa Bay: The Rays win 2 of 3. Minnesota (67-70) maintains a 1 game lead over Cleveland (66-71).
Cleveland vs. Minnesota: The Guardians win 2 of 3 games. The teams are tied with 68-72 records.
Minnesota vs. New York Mets: The Twins sweep 3 games over the Mets.
Cleveland at Los Angeles Angels: Each team wins 2 games. Minnesota (71-72) takes a 1 ½ game lead over the Guardians (70-74).
Minnesota vs. Tampa Bay Tampa Bay: The Rays win 2 of 3
Cleveland at San Francisco: The Giants win 2 of 3. The Twins (72-74) maintain a 1 ½ game lead over Cleveland (71-76).
Minnesota at Chicago White Sox: Split of the 4 games.
Cleveland vs. Texas: The Rangers win 2 of 3. Minnesota (74-76) is now 2 games ahead of Cleveland (72-78).
Minnesota at Cincinnati: The Reds win 2 of 3.
Cleveland at Kansas City: The Guardians sweep the 3 games. The Twins and Guardians ARE TIED once again with 75-78 records.
Minnesota vs. Los Angeles Angels: Minnesota wins 2 of 3.
Cleveland vs. Baltimore: The Guardians split the 4 games. Minnesota (77-79) now has a ½ game lead over the Guardians (77-80).
Minnesota vs. Oakland: Minnesota sweeps Oakland 3-0.
Cleveland vs. Cincinnati: The Guardians sweep the Reds 2-0. The Twins (80-79) open up a 1 game lead over Cleveland (79-80).
Minnesota at Colorado: Minnesota wins 2 of 3.
Cleveland at Detroit: Detroit wins 2 of 3. Minnesota (81-81) ends up winning the AL Central by 2 games over the Guardians (80-82). If Cleveland can win 2 games at Detroit, the Guardians win the AL Central by having a better head-to-head record (4-9 vs. the Twins).
High School
Men for Others – Remembering Nick Restifo
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