MLB Baseball Betting - Minnesota Twins

Manager: Ron Gardenhire (seventh season).

2007: 79-83, third place, NL Central

Training: Hammond Stadium at Lee County Sports Complex.Fort , Myers, Fla.

Home Park: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Mn.

World Series Titles: (3) 1924, 1987, 1991

Acquisitions: RHP Brian Bass, RHP Zach Day, SS Adam Everett, OF Carlos Gomez, RHP Deolis Guerra, SS Brendan Harris, RHP Livan Hernandez, RHP Philip Humber, LHP Randy Keisler, INF Mike Lamb, OF Craig Monroe, RHP Kevin Mulvey, OF Jason Pridie, RF Delmon Young.

Departures: SS Jason Barlett, RHP Matt Garza, C Chris Heintz, CF Torii Hunter, RHP Eduardo Morlan, INF Luis Rodriguez, LHP Johan Santana, RHP Carlos Silva, OF Jason Tyner.

Outlook: The biggest news out of Minnesota heading into the 2008 regular season is the fact that they no longer have overwhelming pitcher Johan Santana after trading their former star to the New York Mets.

Any team that is depending on average starter Livan Hernandez, (11-11, 4.93 ERA) as their staff ace is definitely in trouble as four-fifths of the Twins’ starting rotation has never held a major league starting spot for an entire season.

Boof Bosner went 8-12 last season with a 5.10 ERA. Kevin Slowey went 4-1 in 11 starts with a 4.73 ERA. Nick Blackburn posted an 0-2 record in six games with a high 7.71 ERA and Scott Baker went 9-9 in 24 starts with a respectable 4.26 ERA.

Closer Joe Nathan recorded 37 saves in 41 opportunities but the rest of Minnesota’s bullpen can also be described as shaky at best.

The Twins could have the makings of a solid batting order with Delmon Young, (.288, 93 RBI in 2007), Justin Morneau, (.271, 31 HR), Michael Cuddyer and Joe Mauer leading the way.

Center field is a huge question mark after the team traded longtime star Torii Hunter. Minnesota will turn to youngster Carlos Gomez in center this season, but Gomez hit just .232 in 125 at-bats covering 58 games. Adam Everett is also a question at shortstop after batting just .232 in 220 at-bats and 66 games for the Houston Astros last season.

If Baker and Bosner can unfurl respectable seasons, the Twins could approach respectability in 2008, expecting anything beyond a possible .500 record would be a real stretch for this semi-rebuilding ball club.

The Twins begin this year listed at +5500 to win the 2008 World Series in the BetUS Sportsbook. Check out all the latest MLB odds in the BetUS Sportsbook futures section.

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Official Website: www.minnesotatwins.com