Podcast
Twins Insider
Twins beat writers La Velle E. Neal III and Phil Miller of the Star Tribune join Michael Rand every week to turn the marathon of a baseball season into a series of short sprints. The Twins are worth talking about, and we hope you'll listen.
EPISODE 63
Podcast: Twins are in first place, but with plenty of room to improve
La Velle E. Neal III and Michael Rand discussed the Twins' reliance on early offense and home runs this season.
EPISODE 62
Listen: Twins have big bats, big arms ... and big cardboard heads
Phil Miller joins Michael Rand to discuss the Twins' strong 4-1 start that has included all-around excellence at the plate, on the mound and the field. But what about those big cardboard heads behind home plate at Target Field? Did they really pick the right Twins legends?
EPISODE 61
Listen: Twins in the postseason? That's a safe assumption
On Thursday, we learned that 16 teams will make the MLB playoffs. That makes things look even better for the twins as the season begins in Chicago.
Twins Insider: No fans in the stands? Talkin' pandemic baseball
Chip Scoggins shared thoughts about watching baseball in a fan-free Wrigley Field on Wednesday night when the Twins played the Chicago Cubs.
Podcast: La Velle's on site in Chicago, previews the Twins season
After driving to Chicago and checking into a sparsely populated hotel, Twins writer La Velle E. Neal III talks about the opening series with the White Sox and more with Chris Miller.
EPISODE 58
Podcast: Who's in the Twins' rotation? (And other listener questions)
Michael Rand takes a spin through listener-submitted questions, with everything from the serious (Starting rotation? A .400 hitter?) to the not-so-serious (Tacos. Always tacos)
EPISODE 57
Podcast: Can Sano and Buxton keep their latest 2020 vows?
A confident Miguel Sano has promised '30 bombas' in the 60-game season and Byron Buxton intends to be in the Opening Day lineup next week in Chicago. What are the odds they really will?
Podcast: In abnormal Twins season, 'dress rehearsal' offers normalcy
With the truncated regular season starting a week from Friday, La Velle E. Neal III and Michael Rand discussed how players are adapting to the 'new normal.'
EPISODE 56
Podcast: The sad truth is Twins can't trust Byron Buxton will be healthy
Chip Scoggins joins Michael Rand on the latest episode of the Twins Insider podcast to discuss Byron Buxton's foot injury and what it would mean in the context of a short season.
EPISODE 55
Podcast: A Twins sprint to the World Series?
It's going to be a strange 60 games, but make no mistake: The Twins are as confident as longtime writer Phil Miller has ever seen them. He and Michael Rand discuss that confidence, Byron Buxton and more.
EPISODE 54
Podcast: Neutral site World Series? Saturday doubleheaders?
Chip Scoggins and Michael Rand reflect on what would have been opening week for MLB and the Twins by examining what baseball could look like in 2020 when and if it returns.
EPISODE 53
Podcast: Memories of Opening Day -- and hopes for Twins in 2020
Phil Miller and Michael Rand trade stories about their favorite memories of baseball Opening Days in the past.
EPISODE 52
Podcast: Add any Twins player to any Twins playoff team, 2002-present
With what would have been opening day just 24 hours away, Michael Rand and Jim Souhan dive into Twins history with two questions: 1) What was the best Twins team of the last 20 years? and 2) If you could take any Twins player from any Twins season, 2002-present and add him to a different Twins team, who would you pick?
EPISODE 51
Podcast: When play resumes, Twins are loaded in majors -- and minors
Michael Rand chats with La Velle E. Neal III about the top 10 Twins minor league prospects -- some of whom should be on the doorstep of contributing at Target Field once MLB play resumes.
EPISODE 50
Podcast: Will Byron Buxton be ready for the start of the season?
La Velle E. Neal checks in with Michael Rand from Florida, where Byron Buxton stood in for live batting practice on Tuesday as he takes steps toward getting back on the field. They also discuss the impact of coronavirus on clubhouse access.
EPISODE 49
Podcast: Confident Twins are talking about World Series
Phil Miller joins Michael Rand from Florida with a glowing review of veteran pitcher Jhoulys Chacin's debut. Also on the docket: Miguel Sano's fitness (very good) and transition to first base (work in progress), Josh Donaldson's impact and a World Series-level confidence that is permeating Fort Myers.
EPISODE 48
Twins podcast: Avoiding regression from 2019's breakout players
La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand from spring training to talk about Max Kepler and a slew of other Twins players who exceeded expectations in 2019.
EPISODE 47
Twins podcast: The Twins suddenly have a lot of starting pitching options
Phil Miller and Michael Rand discuss the Twins' sneakily active offseason on the starting pitching front and where it might leave them once all their arms are available.
EPISODE 46
Podcast: Gonzalez apologizes for cheating, but story far from over
La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand to talk about the opening of Twins spring training, which featured the intrigue of Marwin Gonzalez addressing his role in the Astros sign-stealing scandal.
EPISODE 45
Twins podcast: Exactly what happened in the Graterol trade saga?
La Velle E. Neal and Michael Rand on the deal that will result in Brusdar Graterol being traded and Kenta Maeda joining the Twins. Did it work out well for the Twins in the end? And do they now have enough pitching?
EPISODE 44
Podcast: Things the Twins must do to address pitching as offseason looms
La Velle E. Neal III joins Michael Rand to break down the Twins as they head into the offseason sooner than expected after a three-game sweep by the Yankees. The series highlighted a need for high-end pitching. How can the Twins get more of it, and what will they prioritize this offseason?
EPISODE 43
Podcast: After poor play and worse decisions in New York, can Twins respond?
Michael Rand and Phil Miller break down the lopsided weekend in New York, which saw the Twins outscored 18-6 on the way to a 2-0 ALDS hole. The Twins were outclassed in both games, and a handful of curious decisions by manager Rocco Baldelli contributed to the mess. Can the Twins, resilient all season, make a series of it back at Target Field on Monday?
EPISODE 42
Podcast: Live from New York, listen to a Twins Game 1 breakdown
La Velle E. Neal III checks in from New York with Michael Rand as the Twins prepare to start the playoffs against the Yankees. They break down the 25-player postseason roster and try to figure out how the Twins are going to piece together 27 outs per game.
EPISODE 41
Listen: The Twins aren't intimidated, but will they beat the Yankees?
Phil Miller and Michael Rand discuss how confident the Twins are -- or at least say they are -- heading into the American League Division Series in New York. Should they fear the Yankees? Will they ever name a Game 1 starter?
EPISODE 40
Listen: Best guess is Luis Arraez is on the ALDS roster for Twins
Phil Miller joins Michael Rand after a news-filled, season-ending road trip. They try to sort out the Twins' playoff roster.
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