Looking ahead

After witnessing (through Yahoo's fine play-by-play) the Twins beat Toronto in extras, I decided to look ahead and see what the Twins get to face until the All-Star Break. I didn't realize it, but the Twins have probably the toughest road of anyone. Here's what the schedule looks like.

2 vs. Tor
3 @ Det
4 @ NYY
4 @ CWS (in 3 days)

Making up a game from back in April, the Twins have 13 games in the next 12 days. And these aren't just piddly teams. We're talking about the American League Champs, the New York Yankees (always a menace no matter what the standing say), and our friendly rivals in Chicago.
Just for fun, let's see what the Indians and Tigers get to face

Indians:
2 vs. Oak
4 vs. TB
3 @ Det
3 @ Tor

Tigers:
2 vs Tex
3 vs TWINS
Day off (lucky b******s)
3 vs Cle
3 vs Bos

The Indians get the Devil Rays, who after showing some spunk against the Twins, are now fighting Baltimore for the basement. Then they get to go on the road for some fun against Detroit and Toronto.

The Tigers, aside from staying home until the break, get a day off besides. However, they get to face their biggest competition this season with the Indians and the Twins, and they get to finish it off against Boston. Tough teams, but at least they're at home.

Right now the Twins are only 5.5 games back of both the Indians and Tigers. Not bad considering they were double digits back this time last year. The Twins were right in the middle of an 11 game winning streak this time last year, and as a result of their close to .500 play, they aren't making up much ground on that. But anyway, to the season at hand.

PREDICTIONS:
I think the Twins will split the remaining games against Toronto. The Blue Jays are a good team, and the two games so far have been closely fought.

Detroit is freakin' on fire right now. But the Twins will have Santana. But they'll also have Slowey and Baker. I want to give them 2 out of 3, but I'm calling only 1.

New York's a toughie too. The Twins seem to fold against them, especially in the house that Ruth built. But New York is struggling this season, and especially right now. If it were a 3 game series, I'd pick the Twins to win 2, but being a 4 game series, I can't say I'd give them 3. 2-2.

Finally, for Chicago. One hitch is that if everything goes as Scheduled, Santana will not be able to pitch during the series. Unless it's on short rest. However, I'm still giving the Twins 3, because the White Sox are only 2 games in front of the Royals. For them, that's bad. Very bad. This team is looking more like the 2003 Tigers than the 2005 Sox or 2006 Tigers. I think the Twins will take advantage and make them pay.

Overall 7-6. That would put them at 4 games over .500 at the All-Star Break. If this were last year, this would be a tougher schedule. This year, it's a little easier due to the down seasons of the Yankees and Sox. (Two teams I couldn't wish any better luck on). If the Twins can go over .500 for the remaining 13 games, they'll be in good shape. If they revert back to .500 (5-8), they'll be okay, but hurting. Any worse than that, and we might be seeing Torii go bye-bye sooner than we hoped. Any better, and we could have a real shot at a 5th playoff in 6 years.