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MLB: Power Ranking the Division Leaders

By Evan Marinofsky

Jun 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) celebrates the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) celebrates the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) gets ready to pitch before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) gets ready to pitch before the game against the Colorado Rockies at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

6.) Minnesota Twins (AL Central) 

Somehow, by some divine miracle, the Minnesota Twins are in first place. With a record of 29-24, they find themselves in first place and one game up on the second place Cleveland Indians.

The AL Central has been painfully mediocre thus far. The Kansas City Royals continue to burn in the cellar of the division as their season turns to rubbish, despite breaking the Astros’ 11-game win streak last night. Sitting above them are the irrelevant (this season anyway) Chicago White Sox and then the roughly .500 Detroit Tigers. The AL Central is the only division in baseball without a 30+ win team.

The Twins rank a decent 13th in batting average at .252. They rank 21st in runs with 246, as well as home runs with 64 round-trippers. Their pitching has been nothing noteworthy, as their team ERA sits at 4.60, good for 23rd in Major League Baseball. They also have a run differential of -19.

Despite those so-so statistics, the Twins do rank eighth in on-base percentage at a solid .333. At the very least, they’re getting on base.

Miguel Sano has carried the offense thus far with his .303 batting average and 14 home runs. Ervin Santana is finally paying dividends as he has carried the pitching staff with his 2.44 ERA. If Byron Buxton could finally break out and hit consistently, the Twins’ success would look more sustainable. However, it’s only a matter of time before the Indians catch fire and zoom past the Twins.

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