Minnesota Twins: We Still Don't Know How Good They Are!

For the 2010 Minnesota Twins it's been six series and six series wins. Going into Tuesday's off day with the second best record in all of baseball, all is well in Twins' Territory.

Or is it?

Listening to local sports radio, there is concern over the inability to put away the perennial bottom dwellers of the Central Division with a series sweep. The concern may be justified.

The Twins' opponents so far this season have a combined 41-53 record. 

The supposed tests against Los Angeles and Boston never materialized, and both of these powerhouses find themselves at or below .500.

As for the Central Division, typically the weakest division in the American League, only the Tigers, the Twins' next opponent, have a winning record at 10-9.

Some early-season concerns include:

• leaving an average of 16.6 runners on base per game
• the lack of clutch two-out hits, and a dismal three for 21 with bases loaded
• six players with batting averages less than .250, and only four batting higher than .275
• other than Francisco Liriano, an inconsistent starting rotation

Certainly a series win against the second place Detroit Tigers will convince those doubters that the Twins are for real—right?

Maybe not.

Over the past two seasons the Twins have a 23-13 record against the Tigers, including the dramatic season, tie-breaking game 163 last year.

They have won eight of the past 12 series against Detroit, including three of six at Comerica Park.

So, even if the Twins win their seventh straight series, there will still be some people asking, "How good is this team, really?" 

Unfortunately, it doesn't get any better after the Detroit series.

Following the Tigers the Twins go to Cleveland, followed by three home series versus Detroit, Baltimore, and Chicago before hitting the road for a crucial nine-game road trip.

Potentially the Twins could win the first 11 series of the season, facing only one team with a winning record, and there will still be non-believers!

What in the world were the schedule-makers thinking?

And what will it take for the Twins to convince people they are for real?