Twins' bats, bullpen, defense defy expectations

With the abrupt end to the Wild's season a few days ago, a number of fans have expressed this sentiment: Thank goodness for the Twins.

In years past, this would have represented gallows humor as the baseball team slid into the depths of 90-loss seasons. This year, though, there is genuine optimism over an 18-14 start mixed with genuine wonder: Just how is this team winning, particularly after such a dismal first week?

Unexpected performances can sometimes explain such things, but in this case no one pitcher or hitter has carried the Twins. Rather, it is a series of factors — including these three, which might have flown under the radar through the first one-fifth of the season:

• The Twins entered Monday sixth in MLB in runs scored (151) despite being only 19th in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) at .698. In fact, they are the only team in the top 15 in runs scored with a team OPS lower than .700.

So how has the offense been so good, particularly in this stretch of play in which the Twins have gone 17-8? The short answer is good clutch hitting. The Twins are hitting .308 with runners in scoring position and an MLB-best .313 with two outs and runners in scoring position. The poster boy for this is Joe Mauer, who is hitting .375 with a .927 OPS and 16 RBI with runners on base and only .212 with a .534 OPS with the bases empty.

• The bullpen, which many thought would be a weakness entering the season, ranks 12th in baseball with a 3.33 ERA. The relief group has been particularly good lately, thanks in part to a revamped 'pen that includes three relievers who didn't make the team out of spring training: Ryan Pressly, Michael Tonkin and Aaron Thompson. That trio has combined for a 2.60 ERA.

It should be noted, too, that Rule 5 pick J.R. Graham, pitching in low-leverage situations, has a 1.54 ERA after looking lost early on and that Glen Perkins (1.26 ERA) has been lights out.

In particular the team's outfield defense, a major weakness in recent seasons, hasn't been nearly as bad as it has been — or as bad as many feared it would be.