Cruz, signed as a free agent, was nothing short of sensational, leading the team in slugging percentage (.639) and OPS (1,031). Manager Rocco Baldelli is only the seventh manager in history to win 100 games as a rookie manager. Rookie second baseman Luis Arraez was spectacular, hitting .334 to lead the team.
The Twins open the playoffs Friday and Saturday in New York in a best-of-five series against the New York Yankees.
The Yankees, like the Twins, are loaded. They hit 306 home runs and won 103 games while winning the American League East. This is the first season ever where MLB has four teams in the post season that won over 100 games.
Houston was tops (108), then Los Angeles (106), Yankees (103), and the Twins (101). I would bet my money on one of those four teams winning the World Series.
When the Twins last won the World Series in 1987 and 1991, they did not have the best record in baseball. This Twins team was the best road team by far at 55-26, and that should serve them well.
In terms of runs scored and allowed, Houston was +280, Los Angeles Dodgers +273, New York +204, and the Twins +185. In terms of just runs scored, the Yankees were number one with 943, Twins 939, Houston 920.
Let the quest for glory begin. It will be difficult to win it all, but whoever gets hot and plays the best will be the 2019 Champions of Baseball.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.