Because they shouldn't.

That's the best reason for hope, because history shows that the Twins under Gardy have been at their best when the prognostications are at their worst. Under Gardy, the Twins have won the division every year the consensus was that they would be lucky to be .500 except for 2008, and that season the Twins lost in a one-game playoff after another improbable comeback. Other than that, the Twins were big underdogs in 2002 and 2006 and they probably had their best two seasons under Gardy other than 2010.

I think Gardy loves to play up the "Us against Them" mentality and is able to get everyone to buy into the team concept when there is little pressure on the team. That also goes for the late-season comebacks in 2003 and 2009.

If I was to give an honest prediction, I would say that it is going to be very hard to make the playoffs in the AL. The Rangers, Angels, Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Tigers are all going to be very tough and are all probably better than anyone in the NL. Still, every time we try to count the Twins out, they surprise us with another fantastic season. After last year, this better be a doozy of a season.

We just have to remember that a .500 season would be an 18-game improvement, which is outstanding. If the Twins can get close to that and give me hope for the future, such as a healthy season from Mauer  and signs of future success from Parmelee, Revere, Hendricks, Dozier and Benson, and an emergence of a reliever or two, I'll consider it a very successful season.