Although we've reverted back to winter here in Minnesota, "Play Ball" is being heard across the country Thursday. That's true in Kansas City as the Minnesota Twins are set to open the 2024 season against the Royals.
It's been a relatively quiet offseason for the Twins but one major question kept emerging:
How would Byron Buxton hold up now that he's back in centerfield? The group that is most pleased the Gold Glove-caliber centerfielder is back are pitchers like Bailey Ober.
"It feels very normal for him to be acting upbeat and kind of ready to go out there and play like we know he can," says Ober. "Obviously last year was a little bit down, just battling through a lot of stuff. Right now he's upbeat, ready to be out there and he looks really good."
And if Buxton stays healthy, this lineup could be scary, according to third baseman Royce Lewis.
"Out team's really good at drawing the pitch they want to hit, and drawing good walks, and like I said, it just motivates when you pass a baton like that," says Lewis. "Great at-bat after great at-bat after great at-bat, it makes it easy," Lewis explains. "Like I said, the pressure's now on the pitcher."
Royals broadcaster, and a former TV broadcast for the Twins, Ryan Lefebvre, told WCCO's Henry Lake Minnesota is the team to beat in the AL Central and it's pretty clear.
"I think the Twins are the team to beat, and they can beat you in so many ways," Lefebvre says. "I think they're a much more balanced team, starting pitching, relief pitching, offense, their defense improved last year."
The Twins are hoping to build on a season that saw them win a playoff series for the first time since 2002. High expectations are in store for this team but there are a few injury concerns to start the season.
Pitching Concerns
That Twins' success in 2023 was because of a massive improvement in their starting pitching compared to 2022. Cy Young finalist Sonny Gray, who is now in St. Louis, and postseason hero Pablo Lopez lead the starting rotation to more innings, more strikeouts, and just plain more success.
With Gray and Kenta Maeda gone, the starters will look a little different but it is the injury bug that is of most concern heading into opening day.
Flamethrowing closer Jhoan Duran will start the season on the injured list because of a moderate right oblique strain, which occurred when he was warming up during a practice session.
Caleb Thielbar didn't pitch at all this spring as he continues to battle left hamstring soreness He's also on the IL to start the year.
And newly acquired starter Anthony DeSclafani was shut down because of elbow soreness after pitching in a minor league game this spring. He's getting his elbow evaluated with the concern being he could miss the entire season if surgery is necessary.
Missing a few key arms will stress the pitching staff early in the season for sure. The Twins are expected to have a dynamite bullpen, but much of that depends on the staff staying healthy of course.
New Voices
For 40 years, Dick Bremer had been the Twins television voice. He's now stepping aside.
For 40 years, Dick Bremer had been the Twins television voice. He's now stepping aside.
Cory Provus has been your radio guide for the Twins since 2012. He's now taking Bremer's place in front of the camera.
That means Kris Atteberry, who's been a part of Twins Radio since 2007, gets his shot to be the main play-by-play voice on WCCO and the Twins Radio Network.
Provus and Atteberry will make their debuts in the new roles later today. Dan Gladden will continue in his role on the radio broadcasts as well as some newer voices to the radio like former Twin player and manager Paul Molitor and former Gopher and Twin pitcher Glen Perkins.
Several voices will be part of the TV crew including Justin Morneau, Perkins, Roy Smalley, LaTroy Hawkins who are all back. Joining them are two TV newcomers in 2024, Trevor Plouffe who did a handful of games in 2023, and Denard Span who joins after working on TV in Tampa Bay.
As for where to watch the Twins, it'll still be Bally Sports North after an offseason filled with bankruptcy talk and unknowns. Of course WCCO Radio will continue to be the flagship radio home for Twins games.
Schedule Stuff
As is normal early in the season, especially for those of us in the north, there's some stop-and-start to the early season schedule.
The Twins opener at 3:10 Thursday afternoon is followed by an off-day, built in to the schedule should there be weather issues. Game two and three of the series in Kansas City will be played Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
If you're wondering about the weather in Kansas City, Thursday looks perfect. 67 and sunny with a light afternoon breeze.
The Twins then head to Milwaukee for a quick two-game series Tuesday (3:10) and Wednesday (12:00).
Then it is back to Minneapolis for next Thursday's home opener against Cleveland, another 3:10 first pitch. They're off again Friday before two more afternoon games Saturday and Sunday.
Each of the games can be heard live on 830 WCCO, 102.9 FM, and on the Audacy App (in-market restrictions apply).