The 2020 MLB season is now a 60-game dash, starting on July 23 and ending, hopefully, with a full-size postseason in October. Between now and the start of the season, we’ll be giving quick capsule previews of each team, reminding you of where things stood back in Spring Training and where they stand now as we embark on what is sure to be the strangest season in baseball history. Next up: The Minnesota Twins roster and schedule:
TWINS ROSTER (projected)
When the season opens on July 23-24, teams can sport rosters of up to 30 players, with a minimum of 25. Two weeks later, rosters must be reduced to 28 and then, two weeks after that, they must be reduced to 26. Teams will be permitted to add a 27th player for doubleheaders.
In light of that, there is a great degree of latitude for which specific players will break summer camp. For now, though, here are who we expect to be on the Twins roster to begin the season:
Catchers
Mitch Garver
Alex Avila
Willians Astudillo
Infielders:
Miguel Sanó
Luis Arraez
Jorge Polanco
Josh Donaldson
Ehire Adrianza
Outfielders
Eddie Rosario
Byron Buxton
Max Kepler
Jake Cave
Marwin Gonzalez
Nelson Cruz
Starters
Jose Berríos
Jake Odorizzi
Kenta Maeda
Rich Hill
Homer Bailey
Relievers
Taylor Rogers
Trevor May
Sergio Romo
Tyler Duffey
Zack Littell
Tyler Clippard
Matt Wisler
Cody Stashak
Randy Dobnak
Devin Smeltzer
Lewis Thorpe
BREAKDOWN:
The Twins hit 307 home runs last season and then they went out and got Josh Donaldson. So, yeah. This offense is gonna thump again. Especially if, as many suspect, the ball will remain juiced this year as it was last year. Some people actually suspect it’ll be more juiced, with MLB looking for a way to draw as much interest as possible given the late start and everything else. Oh, getting Donaldson also upgrades the Twins defensively at third and allows Miguel Sanó to move to first base. Where he’ll likely be until Nelson Cruz retires at which point he’ll likely be a DH. After a scare earlier this week it looks like Byron Buxton will be ready to go for the opener.
The rotation is deeper this year than it was last year, with Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda, and Homer Bailey being added to the fod in the offseason. Jhoulys Chacín is around for depth. Michael Pineda will be available for the stretch run and postseason after he finishes serving his drug suspension which was imposed late last season. Randy Dobnak and Devin Smeltzer are guys who could start as well if need be. Tyler Clippard is new in the bullpen. He’ll join a good but not spectacular group.
Any way you slice it, the Twins look to be, once again, the class of the otherwise weak AL Central.
TWINS SCHEDULE:
Every team will play 60 games. Teams will be playing 40 games against their own division rivals and 20 interleague games against the corresponding geographic division from the other league. Six of the 20 interleague games will be “rivalry” games.
Twins home stands will be July 28-August 4 (Cardinals, Indians, Pirates), August 14-20 (Royals, Brewers), August 31-September 7 (White Sox, Tigers), September 11-13 (Indians), September 22-27 (Tigers, Reds).