In their book "Think Like a Freak" – a kind of sequel to "Freakonomics" – authors Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner argue that the three most difficult words to say in English are not, in fact, " I love you. "

They are rather, "I do not know". When you make this confession instead of affirming an answer or bluffing into a situation, you become vulnerable. But this vulnerability can be a key to reframing a situation in order to look at it differently and honestly.

Keeping that in mind – fresh, actually since it's my current selection of audiobooks while I'm stunned by the fact that I like reading books – I want to look at the Minnesota Twins and their departure 4 -1.

I've divided this list into 10 different topics. The first seven are things that we have already learned and that we already know about the team – or more exactly, things at least that I think we know. But the last three are the real big ones. That's what I'm ready to say, "I do not know." And they will finally define the season.

And it's gone:

WHAT WE KNOW

Willians Astudillo needs attacks until proven otherwise. You knew I had to start there, right? In a world of "three real results" of the MLB (walking, dam or home run), Astudillo is a "unique and unique" player. He will put the ball in the game. He came to the plate 11 times this year and put it into play 10 times – six hits in nine official innings, plus a sacrificial volley and a shot after the fact. No walk. No strike. Astudillo seems at least adequate as a catcher and did not seem to outperform at the third goal in the 7 to 6 win on Wednesday. He is a folk hero and a fan favorite. But he can also hit, and he needs as many opportunities to show as possible.

Nelson Cruz was worth every penny. The Twins signed a $ 14.3 million contract with Cruz to become their designated hitter. We could say that with their list, they do not need a main DH. But when you see Cruz in their alignment, he makes everything click. Some guys look like a threat and give you confidence that they will hit the ball far away. Cruz is this guy.

They will hit. The composition of the team looks good, from the first to the ninth, and with only one home run so far. It's good that they managed 17 doubles (only four for their opponents), many of them in the gap, but some among the restless variety. As soon as temperatures rise and balls begin to fly, pay attention.

Byron Buxton needs to harness his energy. I like the fact that Buxton is unafraid and that he thinks he can catch anything in the neighborhood. But part of its maturation and its potential for escape in 2019 involves staying healthy. And staying healthy means that he sometimes has to get up and accept the fact that the ball will be a double instead of collapsing against the wall, injuring his back and facilitating a race inside the park, as he did it. Tuesday almost costing the match to the Twins and potentially a more serious injury.

The twins seem to be resilient. It's a big trait for a team. In both victories against the Royals, they overcame late deficits and decisive innings that could have sealed their fate. Two games are not a significant sample, but they certainly did not seem to panic after being trapped.

The pen has a depth of quality. The Twins' pitching pitchers – not to mention Martin Perez, who made an appearance as the second starter behind Michael Pineda against Cleveland – scored 13 innings in total and allowed only two earned runs by eliminating 13 batters. Each of the guys in the group is an asset, led by Taylor Rogers and his four appearances at the top of his team.

It's a bad idea to be too excited after five games. That said, let's remember that it is very early. Using the football analogy I love so much, five games represent about 1 / 32nd of season. If it was the NFL, we would not be at the half-time of the first match – that's hardly the time to draw too much conclusions. The Twins, after all, started 4-2 and 7-4 last year, but were 9-15 at the end of April.

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW

Will pitching hold? This seems to define the season. There is enough offensive depth and quality to score a lot of points. But the pitchers – especially the five starters – will they be good enough? I do not know.

How will they compete with better competition? The Twins took 2 of 3 from a Cleveland team in transition and transition, then two more from a poor Royals team. They probably could not escape with a win against a better team with the kind of fifth round they played in Kansas City on Wednesday. The competition will improve, including Friday in Philadelphia. Will the twins always look so resistant and competent? I do not know.

Is there anything special that gets ready here? Wow, I went there. Yes, there are only five games, but something feels good here. Sometimes a team plays and seems to have some chemistry and quality about it. I do not know if the twins have it, but I like what I've seen so far.