For the Twinkies the 2009 MLB season starts tonight

Alright, this is it. For the Twinkies the 2009 MLB starts tonight. They have 16 games remaining left on their regular season schedule and 7 of them are against the division leading Detroit Tigers. The Twins are 4 games back so at a minimum, if they are going to catch the Tigers you have to figure that they have to go 5-2 against them putting them only one game behind.

The Tigers have led start to finish and if they do not win at this point, would be considered the "New York Mets of the American League."

Minnesota does have their destiny in their own hands because if they win at least 6 of the remaining 7 games against Detroit, they just have to have a better record than Detroit in the 9 remaining games each team has.

The Twins do have 9 other games to play on their schedule and have to play 6 games against Zack Greinke, Billy Butler and the Kansas City Royals.

You might think that getting to play the Royals is a good thing but the Royals are streaking to the finish going 8-2 in their last 10 games and the Twins are scheduled to face Greinke 2 out of those 6 games.

Trying to score against Greinke has become somewhat of a comedy as teams are trying just about anything to get a run against him attempting to sacrifice runners, bunt for hits, take pitches, even trying to intentionally get hit by pitches as the guy has pitched to a miniscule 2.14 ERA striking out 244 batters, more than a batter per inning (210 innings) and giving up only 44 walks and 180 hits all season pleasing fantasy owners with 1.06 WHIP.

The Twins remaining 3 games are against the White Sox who while not mathematically eliminated at 6 ½ back and having 6 games remaining against the Tigers themselves, would probably have to have to sweep the Tigers all 6 games and also jump over the Twins which would mean that the Tigers would have to lose practically all 12 of their 16 remaining games against the Twins and White Sox for the White Sox to have a shot.

The Twins will be without one of their studs in All-Star Justin Morneau the rest of the way as he is shut down for the season with a stress fracture in his lower back. Morneau was having another stellar season with 30 HR’s and 100 RBI and three weeks left to go in the season. Michael Cuddyer having a decent year himself with 26 HR’s and 78 RBI has moved in from the outfield will get the starts at 1st base the rest of the way.

The way I see it is that since Cuddyer has moved to 1st base, Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez are both going to be getting regular at bats down the stretch in the outfield along with Denard Span. Neither one has done bupkus all year, but they were both top prospects and have both the ability and chance to redeem themselves by getting hot and carrying this team to the playoffs. - Paul Leume

Paul Leume is a MLB columnist from Montreal, Canada. Paul, a one-time beat writer covering the Montreal Expos for the Montreal Gazette is a proud grandfather of 3 girls and now spends his time offering his thoughts and prospective on Major League Baseball on a variety of blogs and websites throughout Al Gore’s internet.

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The Butler did it (well, he's doing it now)

Billy Butler is now hitting .302/.358/.485 for a 127 OPS+. Billy's on pace for 20 homers and 50 doubles. Those are pretty decent numbers, especially for a guy who -- it's easy to forget this -- just turned 23 in April.

These aren't unprecedented numbers, of course, but you have to be encouraged by the company he's keeping.

This year, there are four others Billy's age or younger matching his OPS+. They are Evan Longoria, Pablo Sandoval, Adam Jones and Justin Upton.

Here is the list of guys to do it in the last five years: B.J. Upton, Hanley Ramirez, Nick Markakis, Prince Fielder, Grady Sizemore, Robinson Cano, Joe Mauer, Miguel Cabrera, David Wright, and Jhonny Peralta.

Here is the list of 23-year-olds to hit 20 homers with 48 doubles in baseball history: Ramirez, Cabrera, Sizemore, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Hank Greenberg.

Put those lists together and you're looking at one guy who's in the Hall of Fame, several more who are going there, a few with a shot, and then some scrubs who are merely really good players.

Billy still scuffles at time in the field, and, let's be honest here, outside of hitting, really doesn't do any baseball-related skill even average. But it's a hell of a skill to have, one the Royals are absolutely desperate for, one that will earn Billy -- at least -- tens of millions of dollars, and here's where we get to the point.

When should the Royals start thinking about locking him up long-term?
When does the risk of him regressing become too small in the face of what will likely be a rising cost?

Billy will most likely have one more year before he hits arbitration, which would make him a free agent after the 2013 season. There's plenty of time there, and the Royals probably won't feel rushed to get something worked out for at least a few years.

But if there is an early judgment to be made, Billy's putting together the type of career from a homegrown prospect that the Royals have publicly said is important for them to sign long-term.

Throw a few dollars Billy’s way at next year’s draft. You won’t be disappointed. - Robert Fairchild

Robert Fairchild is a professional sports gaming professional. He legally wages on professional and collegiate sporting events for a living. Robert is NOT suggesting that you quit your day job and try to wager on sports for a living. He is contributing his thoughts and experience to assist you in a recreational activity that you as an informed adult may choose to take part in. Robert will NOT give specific wagering advice on any particular proposition in this forum.

Cool Luke

Luke Hochevar, the first overall selection in the 2006 draft held a powerful Texas lineup to just two earned runs over seven innings on Saturday. He allowed just five hits, didn't walk a man and fanned an eye-popping 13 batters.

Luke appears to be figuring something out on the mound. His strikeout totals in his last 2 games have been 9 and 13 and in those two starts he's lowered his ERA .50 points.

This month Hochevar has pitched 4 games, against the White Sox, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers and won 3 of them (This for a team who just had a 10 game loosing streak.)

In addition to this 13 strikeout performance, last month he threw a complete game, 80 pitch 9 inning gem against the Reds.

Hochevar doesn't walk batters and will turn out to be a steal for next year, especially for your WHIP category. He plays for the Royals so chances are that even though he was the 1st overall pick in the 2006 draft you wouldn't have to give up much to get him (if he's even on someones roster.) Get him now before he hits the main stream.

At some point the Royals are going to start to click. The home grown talent of Hochevar, Greinke, Soria, Gordon, Butler is a great young nucleus to build around. The KC Royals definitely have something to look forward to. - Mike Gross

Michael Gross, in conjunction with a prominent sports agency runs a strength, conditioning and agility program that many agents send their “to-be-drafted” athletes, prior to being drafted. Many pro athletes have also used the facilities for rehabilitation after injury. Over 90 professional athletes including current MLB ball players have attended his institution during the past 3 years.