The Twins enter play Sunday at 64-72, and so they have fallen out of favor quickly within the American League playoff races. Are they useless? Not technically, however they’re definitely on life assist.
Going 8-17 in August and dropping seven of their final eight has put them 8 1/2 video games behind the White Sox within the division. They’re additionally 4 video games behind the second-place Cleveland Guardians, who additionally management the third and last wild-card spot within the AL.
Not solely are the Twins chasing Cleveland, however they’re tied with the Mariners, two video games behind the Rangers, 2 1/2 video games behind the Blue Jays, and three video games behind the Orioles. It’s a jumbled mess and the Twins are sprinting within the incorrect path.
It’s been a 10-day catastrophe
On Aug. 19, the Twins had sole possession of the third wild-card spot. It’s been whiplash for the reason that Discipline of Desires Recreation on Aug. 13, with pleasure vanishing over the previous 10 days.
- Swept at dwelling (one Discipline of Desires sport) by the Phillies Aug. 13-16
- Responded by sweeping the Braves Aug. 17-19
- Swept in San Diego Aug. 21-23
- Misplaced two of three in Sacramento towards the Athletics Aug. 24-26
- Dropped two straight at dwelling in a pivotal collection towards the White Sox
One minute, the Twins appear like the horrible group everybody predicted them to be. The following minute, they flip proper again round and begin taking part in like a membership that’s able to making the playoffs. It’s been chaotic, to say the least.
A variety of Twins followers are simply glad to be right here. These followers most likely didn’t have excessive expectations to begin, so for the Twins to have come this far and stay within the image has been a pleasing shock.
These followers don’t have any cause to be offended. However for the followers whose expectations change whereas using the curler coaster, it’s been an aggravating expertise. And you’ll bulletpoint the explanations for hope, even when they aren’t all reliable, long-term choices:
- Kody Clemens wasn’t alleged to have practically 50 extra-base hits
- Brooks Lee wasn’t anticipated to blast 22 homers
- Josh Bell wasn’t anticipated to have 81 RBI — his most since 2019
- Ryan Jeffers wasn’t anticipated to be among the best hitting catchers within the league
- Taj Bradley was alleged to be good, however not on a tempo for 200 strikeouts
- Yoendrys Gomez wasn’t even on the group to begin the season, and he’s been an unimaginable nearer
- Andrew Morris, albeit some hiccups of late, has been a terrific reliever
- No one thought Jeff Hoffman, Tommy Nance, and AJ Minter could be added to safe the bullpen
These are among the many causes the expectations modified because the Twins stayed within the hunt. Nonetheless, anticipating all of these gamers to proceed taking part in so nicely once they haven’t traditionally is dangerous enterprise. And once you couple that with Byron Buxton and Joe Ryan getting injured, and the Twins failing to name up Walker Jenkins for thus lengthy, the bleep can hit the fan and ship the season spiraling in a rush.
That’s precisely what’s occurred to the Twins. Buxton and Ryan have given the Twins nothing since July. The offense went from averaging 1.67 doubles and 1.23 homers per sport earlier than the All-Star break to averaging 1.62 doubles and 0.95 homers per sport.
The group’s pitching went from posting a 3.91 ERA in July to five.03 in August. The starters have a 5.16 ERA in August, and the relievers have a 4.83 ERA. Each rank twenty sixth within the majors in August.
It’s at all times felt like pitching would doom the Twins.
Nonetheless, they’re not useless but
Joe Ryan is throwing a bullpen session Sunday, and if all goes nicely, he’ll have a rehab begin subsequent week, possible at Triple-A St. Paul, earlier than possibly rejoining the rotation. The Twins additionally play the following 13 video games towards AL Central foes. The division isn’t good, so they might rattle off a bunch of wins.
I’d argue all people must be fairly impressed that this roster, given the circumstances created by the possession group, has carried fan curiosity so long as it has.
The most important disappointment isn’t the dropping streak. It’s that the Twins didn’t do extra to assist themselves earlier than the season started, and that they waited so lengthy to name up Walker Jenkins, who appears like an absolute stud — then batted him ninth in his first two video games again.
How do you’re feeling: Piss or impressed?
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This story was initially printed by s on Aug 30, 2026, the place it first appeared within the s part. Add Carry Me The Sports activities as a .
