Twins Insider

Chip Scoggins and Michael Rand reflect on what would have been opening week for MLB and the Twins by examining what baseball could look like in 2020 when and if it returns. How many games can they fit into the regular season? If they push the regular season back, what does that mean for the playoffs? And what's the last date they could conceivably start the season?

Phil Miller and Michael Rand trade stories about their favorite memories of baseball Opening DFays in the past. Thursday would have been opening day for the 2020 Twins, and whenever the season starts there will be great expectations.

With what would have been opening day just 24 hours away, Michael Rand and Jim Souhan dive into Twins history with two questions: 1) What was the best Twins team of the last 20 years? and 2) If you could take any Twins player from any Twins season, 2002-present and add him to a different Twins team, who would you pick?

Michael Rand chats with La Velle E. Neal III about the top 10 Twins minor league prospects -- some of whom should be on the doorstep of contributing at Target Field once MLB play resumes. Is Royce Lewis really No. 1? Is there some major pitching help on the way?

La Velle E. Neal checks in with Michael Rand from Florida, where Byron Buxton stood in for live batting practice on Tuesday as he takes steps toward getting back on the field. They also discuss the impact of coronavirus on clubhouse access.

Phil Miller joins Michael Rand from Florida with a glowing review of veteran pitcher Jhoulys Chacin's debut. Also on the docket: Miguel Sano's fitness (very good) and transition to first base (work in progress), Josh Donaldson's impact and a World Series-level confidence that is permeating Fort Myers.

La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand from spring training to talk about Max Kepler and a slew of other Twins players who exceeded expectations in 2019 -- and how they can sustain that level while avoiding regression.

Phil Miller and Michael Rand discuss the Twins' sneakily active offseason on the starting pitching front and where it might leave them once all their arms are available.

La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand to talk about the opening of Twins spring training, which featured the intrigue Tuesday of Marwin Gonzalez addressing his role in the Astros sign stealing scandal. La Velle also gave a Byron Buxton health update and boasted about the Florida weather.

La Velle E. Neal and Michael Rand walk through the on-again, off-again deal that finally will result in Brusdar Graterol being traded and Kenta Maeda joining the Twins. Did it work out well for Minnesota in the end? And do the Twins have enough pitching for October?

La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand to break down the Twins as they head into the offseason sooner than expected after a three-game sweep by the Yankees. The series highlighted a need for high-end pitching. How can the Twins get more of it, and what will they prioritize this offseason?

Michael Rand and Phil Miller break down the lopsided weekend in New York, which saw the Twins outscored 18-6 on the way to a 2-0 ALDS hole. The Twins were outclassed in both games, and a handful of curious decisions by manager Rocco Baldelli contributed to the mess. Can the Twins, resilient all season, make a series of it back at Target Field on Monday?

La Velle E. Neal III checks in from New York with Michael Rand as the Twins prepare to start the playoffs against the Yankees. They break down the 25-player postseason roster and try to figure out how the Twins are going to piece together 27 outs per game.

Phil Miller and Michael Rand discuss how confident the Twins are -- or at least say they are -- heading into the American League Division Series in New York. Should they fear the Yankees? Will they ever name a Game 1 starter?

Phil Miller joins Michael Rand after a news-filled, season-ending road trip. They try to sort out the Twins' playoff roster in light of several interesting decisions -- including a big one that will be determined by the health of rookie Luis Arraez.

Jim Souhan was on the scene in Detroit when the Twins clinched their first AL Central title since 2010. He checks in with Michael Rand as they discuss the Twins' earnest but business-like celebration as well as looming questions now that October baseball is official.

Phil Miller is in Detroit, where he joins Michael Rand to talk about the Twins on the verge of clinching the AL Central. Along with that are two big questions that emerged from Tuesday's win: Is Jake Odorizzi in line to be a Game 1 starter, and is Kyle Gibson pitching his way into the postseason mix?

La Velle E. Neal III and Michael Rand talk about the 180 the Twins have pulled with their bullpen this season. Remember Blake Parker? Adalberto Mejia? Those guys (and others) were supposed to be big contributors. They're long gone, and mostly in-house candidates have stepped up in their place.

Phil Miller joins Michael Rand to talk about the Twins' comeback victory Thursday and Kyle Gibson's five-out start, which could jeopardize his spot on the playoff roster. If he's not in the mix, what does the playoff pitching staff look like?

Chip Scoggins joins Michael Rand to talk about another big night for the resilient Twins, who cut their magic number to seven with a 9-8 victory over the White Sox. Also: A bold idea for the postseason rotation and a question: Who is the Twins' MVP this season?