MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Twins outfielder Matt Lawton, who predicts the Twins will continue to do well as long as their pitchers keep it together. The Minnesota Twins are dominating the defending World Champs, winning three of four games against the New York Yankees so far this season.
SPEAKER 1: We're going to go as far as our pitching goes. I mean, if our pitching continues to pitch the way they are, I mean, no doubt, we'll go ahead and at least make it to the playoffs or whatever. Because most times, if you look at the Rangers, their team is built on power. I mean, power doesn't come to play every day, and pitching does.
I mean, if you have good pitching, you have solid defense like we have, I mean, those are the things that are going to keep us in the game. And it'll give us a great chance to win every game.
SPEAKER 2: Did you always have faith that it would come back around for the team?
SPEAKER 1: Well, you always hope. Last season, I was like, man, we got a lot of talent at each position. And every year, guys are getting a little bit more experience. And I was like, if we're able to put it all together at once, that's what it's going to take. Right now, we just seem to be putting it together, and I think that's the key.
SPEAKER 2: How much fun is it playing at a time like this when the team is on top?
SPEAKER 1: It's just that much more fun when you're winning. And I really didn't realize how much fun it was because the last couple of years it's been like, you know, I enjoy playing this season, but go out there and you're losing 7-2 in the first inning or whatever. And it's not that much fun. But now, just having this winning month, it was unbelievable. It was almost like it's a playoff game every game.
Because we got so much enthusiasm in the dugout, the guys are really upbeat. And we're having a lot of fun with it.
SPEAKER 2: Do you feel any pressure to keep it up?
SPEAKER 1: No, I mean, that's the thing about us being so young. Young guys don't feel much pressure. They feel like, OK-- because it's so laid back in Minnesota. There really wasn't any expectations. Everybody picked us to finish last, so there's no pressure.
I mean, anybody, we could get guys off the street to finish last. And so that's no expectation. I mean, that's no big thing to live up to. So if we fall on our face, so what? They picked us to finish last anyway.
SPEAKER 2: You've only signed a one-year contract. So what are your plans after this season?
SPEAKER 1: That's the thing that pushes me because, I mean, I know that each year I have to prove myself. I come in, and I sign a one-year contract. And I have to play well to get another one.
And I'm off to a slow start right now. But it doesn't bother me because I know that I usually heat up a little bit later. And it's one of those things that you just want to go out and prove yourself and prove to the front office that you're able to play this game, and hopefully, one day I might be able to prove to them that I'm worthy of one of those long-term contracts.
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