Postseason Verdict on Minnesota Twins: Pretenders

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Minnesota Twins
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The Minnesota Twins have been a team trending towards the postseason all year, and then they weren’t. As their odds continue to tank with each new loss, it’s hard to envision any positive outcome if they make it at all. The roster is currently running on fumes, and ownership did nothing to help it. They certainly look like postseason pretenders.

Can the Minnesota Twins make postseason noise?

Sure, the Minnesota Twins have some really nice pieces. Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Pablo Lopez all positively impacted the game on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians. They still lost. That’s the problem lately for the Twins as nothing seems to go right. Last season both World Series teams came in as wild card entrants. ESPN’s David Schoenfield doesn’t see Minnesota having the same outlook.

“Well, all three (Royce Lewis, Bryon Buxton and Carlos Correa) are finally healthy at the same time. Buxton returned on Friday and Correa returned the following day, so the three were in the starting lineup together for just the 20th time all season on Saturday. Minnesota lost 11-1. Indeed, the Twins are under .500 since the All-Star break. Yes, blame the injuries, but the pitching just hasn’t been playoff-caliber either, let alone World Series-caliber. This shows up in their record against good teams: 0-6 against the Yankees, 2-8 against the Guardians, 0-3 against the Braves and Orioles, and series losses to the Dodgers, Brewers, Mets and Padres. The Twins are 37-52 against teams currently above .500. They were great against the White Sox (12-1), but they don’t play them the final two weeks and they’re gasping to hold on to that third AL wild card over Detroit and Seattle.

Verdict: Not Real. Lewis has finally been healthy for the most extended period of his career — and has stopped hitting as well (.229, .675 OPS since the beginning of August). We don’t have a read yet on Buxton and Correa. Bottom line: The Twins just don’t beat the good teams, so it’s difficult to envision them winning four series in a row against good teams. (The Tigers or Mariners, if they can catch the Twins, might actually be the better bet to pull off some playoff upsets, thanks to their pitching.)”

David Schoenfield on the Twins being pretenders in the postseason (ESPN)

The last line of Schoenfield’s verdict is the damning reality here. Pablo Lopez and Bailey Ober are the only remaining trustable starting pitchers. Too much has been placed on the shoulders of rookie arms that haven’t been built up to sustain the length of a full year. Even with Correa and Buxton back, the has failed to consistently produce, winning just one game since they returned.

Related: Minnesota Twins Making Surprise Move in Bullpen After Latest Meltdown

It has been a war of attrition for Minnesota this season, and there’s too much runway left. Not only does Minnesota have to hold off competition to make the playoffs, but they have to compete when getting there.

Correa and Buxton can’t do it all for Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins have struggled while missing their star players. Carlos Correa was on the shelf for two months dealing with plantar fasciitis. Byron Buxton missed a month with hip discomfort. Both are back but only in a limited capacity. They have impacted the lineup, but their presence isn’t enough.

Correa made an exceptional tag after Royce Lewis misplayed a ball at third base on Monday. Buxton drove in a pair of runs on a ball laced back up the middle. The lineup still left 10 runners on base and went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. It is the star duo that gives Minnesota hope in the postseason, but they aren’t enough to make up for the other issues.

Pablo Lopez has been rolling for the Twins but the Guardians got the win in his start. During a playoff series there’s probably not enough good pitching for Rocco Baldelli’s group to get by and that’s the unfortunate reality of it all.

The Twins need to keep the Detroit Tigers at bay just to make the postseason, and they finish their regular season with the Baltimore Orioles. This team has gone just 6-9 in September after finishing August at .500. Everything is piling up at the end, and there are no more reinforcements to be found.

Related: Minnesota Twins 1st Round Pick Barely Misses Prospect of the Year Award

Regardless if they squeak in or not, it’s nearly impossible to believe that the Twins have what it takes to make any real noise. That’s a disappointing end to what has ultimately been a frustrating yer.

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