Minnesota Twins odds – business as usual for the Twinkies in 2009
Minnesota Twins odds should offer their usual, steady value in 2009. The American League Central, once a laughing stock, looks like one of baseball’s toughest divisions. On paper, every team has a chance to contend at the sportsbook—even the Royals. In this unpredictable division, there is, however, one constant: the Minnesota Twins.
Twins sports betting lines: +2000 odds to win the World Series
- Baker, Slowey are new versions of Brad Radke
- Liriano should return to dominance
- Mauer needs to stay healthy
Backed by their traditionally strong pitching, the Twins will be a good but not great team and contend for the AL Central title. In other words, you can bet the Twins to do what they always do.
While the Twins have a few solid offensive contributors, online betting fans won’t mistake them for a team of sluggers. The consistent bright spot is obviously Justin Morneau, a perennial MVP candidate. He produces runs with the best of them and could win another MVP if he can avoid his annual slump.
Hitting-wise, Joe Mauer has the eye and raw talent to be the next Tony Gwynn. Unfortunately, catching continues to take a toll on his body and he’s also fighting to recover from offseason kidney surgery. The Twins desperately need 130 or more games from Mauer if they want to contend this season.
Another big key to the Twins’ MLB odds this season will be the play of Delmon Young. The former top prospect in baseball, whom some pundits touted as a future Hall-of-Famer, has been a big disappointment in his first two major-league seasons, particularly in the power department. He still has time to find his stroke—he’s still only 23—but Young has to improve from last year’s lackluster 10 homers and 69 RBI to remain an everyday player. A leap in power would certainly make fans more comfortable to bet on the Twins.
The top of the Minnesota’s starting rotation should be very solid while not unstoppable. Francisco Liriano is now over a year removed from Tommy John surgery. While he may have lost a few ticks on his velocity, he still has elite stuff and the ability to live up to his ace billing.
Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey, two similar pitchers, both broke out in 2008. They’re interesting paradoxes in that they pitch to contact, walk absolutely no one (especially Slowey, who had an absurdly low 24 free passes in 160 innings last season) yet can still miss plenty of bats. Glen Perkins and Nick Blackburn won’t excite online betting fans, but they’re adequate enough to fill out the Twinkies’ rotation.
Two words sum up the Twins’ bullpen; Joe Nathan. Now a grizzled vet, he remains one of the game’s best and most overpowering relievers. Nathan posted a 1.33 ERA and .179 opponents’ average last season. Think the Twins will be OK with leads in the ninth? Think the sun will rise tomorrow morning? Nathan makes it easy for Twins betting fans.
As usual, the Twins’ roster won’t get MLB betting fans’ blood flowing. But, as usual, the pieces are in place for another 85-90 win season. At +2000 they offer much better value than AL Central peers Cleveland (+750) and Detroit (+1900). Sportsbook players could do a lot worse than picking the Twins in 2009.
For more on Twins odds and other online betting lines, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com all season long.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
