Behind Enemy Lines: Twinkie Town isn’t worried about the Tigers’ torrid start

Baseball is a ridiculous sport. Once we underestimate just how ridiculous it is, but the game a way of reminding us. We’re given things like Chris Davis going 0-54. We’re given things like the Yankees injured list looking like a team that could land a Wild Card. We’re given things like the 2019 Detroit Tigers opening the season at a completely improbable 8-5.

How long that oddly anti-karmic feeling of a rebuilding club holding a tie for the lead of the AL Central will last remains to be seen. It’s a fun ride, but fun in the same way as a roller coaster: an exhilarating ride with inevitable doom if anything goes wrong. We were curious about how Twins fans felt about the matchup in this snow-shortened series.

We talked to Hayden Audette, a staff writer at SB Nation’s Minnesota Twins blog Twinkie Town about how the competitors will fare and what’s going to drive this batch of players to success.

BYB: Jose Berrios has been pitching out of his mind so far this season - how long is that going to last?

HA: Jose Berríos is the ace of the staff, so it shouldn’t be too much of a shock to see him off to such a great start. In his only loss so far this season, he only allowed two hits, one of which was a two run home run that wouldn’t have gone out if not for Rhys Hoskins being so strong. I wanna say that it will last for a long time, but I’m honestly not quite sure how long he’ll keep it up. I’m just enjoying the fact that one of the best pitchers in baseball right now is a Twin.

Signing Rocco Baldelli to manage the major league team seemed a bit of risky move. How are the early returns comparing with expectations?

Rocco Baldelli has done a pretty good job managing the Twins over the first ten games. Other than a few questionable decisions, (for example, choosing to pinch hit Ehire Adrianza instead of Nelson Cruz in the final game of the Mets series) I’d say that he’s exceeded his expectations early. Twins fans weren’t really sure what they were getting in Baldelli, but it’s been a good start to his managerial career.

Which Tigers player are you least looking forward to facing in this series?

Miguel Cabrera is always the first Tigers player that comes to my mind, but I’m actually going to say Niko Goodrum. For some reason, he really likes hitting against the Twins, which is interesting because he actually used to be in the Twins system. Maybe he just wants revenge on them for something.

Do you think the Twins did enough to put together a winning team over the offseason? (This is just an excuse to bring up the fact that the Tigers are in first place.)

I do think the Twins did enough to put together a winning team. The lineup is a lot more fearsome than it was in the past couple years, and it has seemed like they’re never completely out of a game. That’s a good trait for a team to have, which is why I think they may very well be able to challenge for a Wild Card or even the division if things break their way.

Look into your crystal ball. How’s this series gonna turn out?

I never want to bet against José Berríos, which is why I think the Twins will win at least Sunday’s game, and because I’m an unabashed homer, I’m gonna say they win Saturday’s too. Michael Pineda had a strong opening start, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has another one.