Twins clinch AL Central as focus shifts to trying to snap infamous playoff losing streak

The Minnesota Twins have clinched the American League Central department championship. It’s been slightly of a foregone conclusion for weeks, however issues formally had been achieved when the Twins beat the Angels at Target Field on Friday night time, 8-5. Starting pitcher Pablo López threw smartly were given beef up from Alex Kirilloff, who drove house 3. 

This is solely the second one full-season department name for the Twins since 2010, as they gained the Central in 2019 and the abbreviated 2020. They are the 6th crew to clinch a place within the 2023 MLB playoffs, becoming a member of the Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, Rays and Brewers.

And whilst I’m certain at this level with Twins enthusiasts that is a surprisingly tense speaking level, some of the larger storylines heading into this postseason shall be whether or not or now not the Twins can win a playoff sport. No, now not essentially a chain; a unmarried sport. They have misplaced 18 playoff video games in a row, a file losing streak.

The ultimate Twins playoff victory got here on Oct. 5, 2004 with Johan Santana grabbing the win, Hall of Famer Mike Mussina taking the loss and Joe Nathan grabbing the save. A rookie named Joe Mauer used to be at the Twins’ bench in the back of Henry Blanco. The most sensible six of the Yankees’ lineup went Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Gary Sheffield, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui. 

The Twins would lose the general 3 video games of that ALDS matchup and 15 extra playoff video games within the resulting 18 seasons. It is the longest losing streak in primary American skilled sports activities historical past. The subsequent longest in baseball is 13, from the 1986-98 Red Sox. Looping within the different sports activities, the Blackhawks as soon as misplaced 16 immediately within the NHL and the NBA’s Pistons (14, 2008-present) apply. 

I feel lets all agree we would quite have a playoff losing streak than a playoff drought — no less than with the playoff losing streak there used to be a large number of amusing steady season luck — however it is a doubtful streak nevertheless. 

Can those Twins snap it? 

There’s an opportunity, however the best-of-three Wild Card Series is a toss-up. Losing two video games in a row to a awesome crew is quite simple to pull off. And the Twins’ pageant within the first spherical, the AL No. 6 seed, is pacing towards finishing up with a greater regular-season file. 

Possible warring parties

As issues stand, the 4 conceivable groups the Twins may just face within the Wild Card Series are the Astros, Rangers, Mariners or Blue Jays. The collection can be at Target Field, the place the Twins are 43-32 this season (as adversarial to 38-40 at the street). 

The Twins gained the season collection over the Astros, 4 video games to two, a matchup that incorporated the Twins taking two of 3 at Target Field. That used to be all of the long ago in April, even though, so it does not essentially follow right here. The playoff Astros are a handful. They’ve been within the ALCS six immediately years, advancing to the World Series 4 occasions. They also are some of the superb street groups in baseball. The just right news for the Twins is it feels not likely the Astros finally end up within the 6th spot right here. The superb guess for them is the No. 2 seed. 

The Rangers can be a lot more favorable and are a much more likely opponent. The Twins went 5-2 towards them and it simply took place between Aug. 24 and Sept. 3. The Rangers can show an explosive offense, however the rotation is lacking Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer whilst fellow All-Star Nathan Eovaldi is not absolutely recovered from his harm. The Rangers are significantly better at house and simply 37-37 at the street. 

The Mariners gained the season collection over the Twins, 4 video games to 3. They cut up at Seattle in a while after the All-Star smash after which the Mariners took two of 3 in Minnesota the next week. The M’s are very inconsistent on offense, however Julio Rodríguez has had a monster 2nd part and is lovely horrifying. The rotation could be the appropriate 1-3 the AL has to be offering in Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert. They are a top quality street crew, too, checking in at 43-35 clear of T-Mobile. 

The Blue Jays and Twins cut up six video games this yr with each and every street crew taking two of 3 for the collection win. They have not performed since June 11. The rotation would glance bold, most probably with Kevin Gausman and Hyun-Jin Ryu within the first two video games. The lineup turns out stacked, even though it is underachieved. The Jays also are higher at the street than at house. At 44-33, they are some of the superb street groups in baseball. 

If I had to rank the groups through the order during which the Twins will have to need to play them, I’d move Rangers first with the Astros fourth, simply, whilst the Mariners and Blue Jays are identical within the center. 

Twins trail to successful a sport

In phrases of simply successful one sport, the Twins have a just right construction in position. We’ve already mentioned how they’re enjoying at house as a substitute of at the street and that’s the reason a plus. There’s additionally the pitching workforce. 

Sonny Gray is the ace having a super season. He’ll unquestionably get the ball in Game 1 and he has 4 video games (3 just right, one dangerous) of playoff revel in. Pablo López is in a position to throwing like a frontline starter, whilst Joe Ryan appears robust at this time. This is a brilliant three-man rotation. Jhoan Duran is among the superb late-inning energy fingers in baseball whilst Emilio Pagan and lefty Caleb Thielbar supply high quality setup paintings. Rookie righty Louie Varland has the glance of an X-factor out of the bullpen, too. 

Can the offense display up, even though? The Twins have proven intensity in energy hitting — they have got 11 gamers with no less than 10 homers however none with greater than 22 — however another way they’re inconsistent and unimposing. Will Byron Buxton be again in time? He began a rehab task Thursday. If so, he is the kind of ability that would put an offense on his again like Randy Arozarena did with the Rays in 2020. Carlos Correa has proven up in large spots more than one occasions within the postseason, however he continues to deal with plantar fasciitis. Royce Lewis is a great guess to be able for the highlight. He simply has that glance, proper? 

Of direction, Correa, Buxton and Lewis are all at the injured record at this time, so they are going to want to come again right here temporarily as to now not render the ones issues moot. 

The Twins shall be enjoying at house with superb pitching and an offense in a position to hanging up crooked numbers. They have a super shot to win a sport and snap the streak, particularly in Gray’s get started. 

Twins trail to successful more than one collection

Of direction, if the Twins do snap the streak, they may as smartly take a look at to hang out for some time, proper?

I simply discussed the pitching workforce and it might be argued they have got a just right sufficient workforce to win now not simplest the Wild Card Series but additionally the ALDS and, possibly, extra. 

The offense has the staff to make some noise. They simplest have to get sizzling on the proper time. Just take a look at the Phillies ultimate yr and a large number of different examples during baseball historical past, particularly after we were given to the Wild Card Era. Take the upside of Correa, Buxton, Lewis and we will upload Jorge Polanco, now not to point out one of the most upside we now have observed from gamers like Edouard Julien and Alex Kirilloff. 

These Twins have proven sufficient flashes of excellent this season to imagine there is a likelihood they may make a deep run. It’s only a topic of hanging all of it in combination. 

Ultimately, the 2023 Twins have the danger to do one thing particular. They can snap the losing streak after which make an not likely run to the World Series name. The 1987 Twins had the fifth-best file within the AL, ninth-best file in baseball and a damaging run differential. They at the moment are immortalized with a piece of steel World Series trophy. 

Of direction, those Twins even have the danger to sign up for the an increasing number of lengthy line of new Twins playoff groups, will have to they lose two immediately to run the streak to 20. 

It’s a tug of battle between drive and alternative. Your transfer, Twins.