AL Central 2005 Preview

1) Minnesota Twins: If you believe, like we do, that pitching is the cornerstone of baseball success, then it's hard to argue against Minny in the division once referred to as "Comedy Central." While the quality of play all around has improved --- the Royals remain the only team with no real shot to avoid the cellar --- Minnesota is still the cream of the crop. At the top of their rotation is reigning AL Cy Young Johan Santana, who mixes pitches in such baffling combinations that he went 13-0 after the All-Star break last year en route to 18-2 in his final 22 starts. He'll enter the season healthy, which means 300 strikeouts and another Cy Young are entirely realistic. Brad Radke, who was once known as "a guy who threw a no-hitter," has silently emerged into the most consistent Twin there is, and Carlos Silva won 14 games while hurling 203 innings last year. If the Twins' staff is their backbone, the lineup isn't far behind --- Torii Hunter and Shannon Stewart are two patient, multi-talented outfielders who set the tone for this team. This year, it might be more important than ever, because the Twins have two near-rookies (they each had spot duty last year) who could be large parts of their order: Joe Mauer, at catcher, and Justin Morneau, at first. Morneau might break the team record for homers set by Harmon Kilebrew, and Mauer could emerge into the team's best hitter. Jacque Jones, Lew Ford, and Luis Rivas are all important cogs in the lineup as well. Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the Twins is their pen --- much like Torre did with the 1996 Yankees of Rivera to Wetteland, these Twins can afford to play six-inning games. Their set-up men --- Juan Rincon, Grant Balfour, Jesse Cain --- throw hard, and Joe Nathan is emerging as one of the AL's premier closers.