Lol, probably.

I'ma preface this statement with- the TC pitching is really bad. Perhaps the worst tc bullpen we've witnessed in 2 - 3 decades. The starters are mostly crazy young. OJT!

Therefore, a contender they are not.

However. Royce lewis' glove is no longer on the field. Nor is Matt Walner's. The replacement, and the platooning of Keschal. Having his glove on the field only 50-60%. It has really, I mean tremendously improved the defense. Add in Trev Larnach working with a speed coach daily, since the season ended last year. It has turned him into a fully adequate outfielder. As well. Cody Clemens has become a truly solid 1b... They still have their share of misplays. But there are now a middle of the pack, maybe even top 12 defense of late.

The biggest story however. With Wallner & Lewis gone. The 80 hr's the team thinks they are capable of combined are removed from the game plan. In its place. The team has focused on IBP%, RISP efficiency. Making contact while limiting the k's.

It's the type of mindset I've been begging for a very long time. And now. 60ish games in. TC's return to "pirahna" offense is 2nd in runs scored in the AL. Behind only the Yankees. And in a multi team tie as the #6 offense in the entire league!

What does it all mean?
It means- this is a fun team to watch. As the weather has begun to heatup, tc games are frequently in the 9-15 runs scored on any given day. Lots of see saw games. Lots of excitement. Are you not entertained?

I think, Joe Pohlad has stumbled upon a winning theory. Play defense. Play obp/ contact on offense.
That's 2/3rds of the Tom Kelly way!

Of course, TJ ball was also rooted in having 1 or 2 aces and an 8 & 9th inning bullpen capable of holding leads/ties.

It's so much cheaper to fill out the lineup with solid defending contact hitters. And it's far more reliable! Than a team full of home run hitting defensive liabilities that will put up 300-400k's each season. I also am if the belief. A team that is near the top at striking out? They are offenses that cannot sustain momentum.

We've seen many teams win with this roster plan. The TK twins that won a pair of ws... 40 years ago. But also, Tampa, KC, Toronto, cleveland and Milwaukee. Contact hitting, good base running. Not going back to the bench with a fresh K hung on your cold bat.
It can win a ton of ball games if a team puts some pitching out front of such a plan.... Enjoy it now. I'd imagine some of these guys won't be back next year- ie, Buxton, Jeffers, Larnach.

I think, having a couple veterans on the team. That are willing to shorten up & slow down in a 2 strike count, hit to oppo field. The young guys see the long timers doin it, being successful (Buck,Larnach,Jeffers all on pace for best offensive season of their career play contact ball!),.. it becomes contagious and fun in the clubhouse.

Kudos tc Pirahna!
Welcome back, we missed ya's.

I love watching small ball!