Minnesota Twins: Although Bleak, The Twins Playoff Hopes Are Very Real

After 119 games this season, the Twins are sitting at an uncomfortable 57-62. Then again, when you're only six and half games out, a month and a half seems doable with a team at it's best.

But to be honest, the Twins are not at their best. Three of the original five the Twins started the season with in their rotation are on the DL, possibly the best of the three for the season. On top of that, they have had to go to a four-man rotation with a bullpen guy making starts as needed.

Speaking of the pen, they have struggled this season, most notably in the last month. Even Nathan isn't having a great August so far, although his 20 saves are respectable.

Then again, the Twins do have a shot like every other team. To count them out only six and half out and a month and a half away from the postseason would  be premature.

Offensively, the Twins are an entirely different team than they were last year. The Twins bats are uncharacteristicly strong this year. The Twins currently have three players that have eclipsed the 20 home run mark in Joe Mauer (25), Justin Morneau (28) and Jason Kubel (20), With two others in the hunt in Michael Cuddyer (19) and Joe Crede(15), a feat that is remarkable for any Major League ball club.

Joe Mauer's batting average is surreal to say the very least and is sitting at .383 after dipping to .351 briefly. His over .500 play over the last 12 games has made him a force to be feared. The goal of .400 is no longer a dream, but a reality that could come full circle if Mauer consistently pushes a .500 batting average the rest of the way.

On top of that, Morneau currently leads the American League with 94 RBI's and is tied for third in home runs in the American League with 28.

With over a month and a half remaining in the season, Mauer and Morneau should easily eclipsed 30 home run mark. Mauer still has a real chance of being named American League MVP. The problem with this however, is that the Twins may not be enough of a contender for the voters to consider Mauer.

 There is one way the Twins can salvage the season and make a play for a weak AL Central division crown and potentially a playoff birth. They need help from the minor leagues. Unheard of players that can come in and have something that no major league team have really scouted. As such teams will get stuck 'feeling out' players and will have to taste the lightning before they can dodge it.

It's how Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins have made their mark. They came in at a mid-point in the season from a part of the Twins organization they havn't seen and they made their mark as young pitchers and kept Minnesota in the hunt last season.

The Twins will need something similar from either within or a free agent signing if they hope to recharge the pitching on the team. In that regard, the front office may hold the keys to the Twins chance at making the 2009 season into something, but until then, manager Ron Gardenhire will have to scrap a rotation and bullpen together from bits and pieces that he has in the organization.

One thing is certain. Only 43 games remain in a certainly salvageable season, but who will step up and propel them over the top.