ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Reaching the promised land may be one consideration, but moving forward is quite another issue. For the Minnesota Twins, who have qualified for the post-season play in four of the past six seasons and remain competitive for the AL Central title as well as wild card consideration, there appears to be challenging issues as potential roadblocks.
While the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles have emerged as leaders in the clubhouse for serious World Series contention, the Twins could be one team that may limp through October.
Coming into play on Sept. 2, Minnesota was tied with Kansas City and 3.5 games behind AL Central-leading Cleveland. As well, the Twins are tied with the Royals for the second and third wild-card spot and 3.5 games ahead of Boston.
All of this commands the participants to tighten their seat belts and prepare for that roller-coaster rise which is the playoff run.
After a 3-6 home stand against St. Louis, Atlanta, and Toronto, the Twins embark on a seven-game trip through the first week of September. After four with the Rays in central Florida, there is a direct confrontation with the Royals for three in Kansas City.
“We put a bad home stand behind us and know we’re capable of playing better,” said righthander David Festa, who is scheduled to start game two of the current four-game series against the Rays in Tropicana Field. “We are right where we want to be, It’s September, and we’re playing meaningful baseball, and I don’t think anyone would want to trade that. That’s what we play for, and each game now is of the same importance. We need to treat each game as a regular game and not to make it too stressful. Just go out, compete and get the win each night.”
Before the Rays series, Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli hinted at one factor that could prevent to Twins from gaining traction in the post-season. That is his frustration with putting a set line up out each night. That’s because the Twins have been hit with injuries to key players.
Consider the list from the trainer’s room.
- Shortstop Carlos Correa – right plantar fasciitis. His injury retro to July 16
- Pitcher Chris Paddock – right forearm strain. On 60-day Injured List
- Outfielder Bryon Buxton – right hip inflammation. His injury is retro to Aug. 13
- Outfielder Manuel Margot – right groin strain. In rehab, no timetable
Still, the Twins remain competitive. After beating the Rays 5-4 on Sept. 2 and the Royals’ loss to Cleveland the same day, a sliver of separation was detected. With 26 games remaining in the regular season, the Twins remain 3.5 games behind Cleveland and the Royals drop to 4.5 games behind in the Al central chase.
“We have had different periods of time for this team,” Baldelli before the Rays series. “We’ve played really well, and we’ve played streaky. We have been all over the place. Overall, pretty good. We’re playing competitively every night and the guys know we’re playing for something. They are very motivated, and we have youthfulness. With that comes good energy and you’re looking for that late in the year. We have a full month to go and these games matter. Our guys know that.”
What may keep the Twins alive in the post-season is their bats. Pitching is another question.
Here in the fading weeks, there is a depleted rotation, but the bullpen remains strong. A pair of rookies, Simeon Woods Richardson and Festa make up one-third of the rotation and the club will likely rely on righthander Pablo Lopez (13-8, 4.05 ERA for 27 starts) as the titular head of the staff.
Now in September, there is that heightened sense of urgency.
“This is as good as it gets,” Baldelli added and referenced the pennant chase. “You’re in September and you’ll about to play the most important games, really, of your life for some of these guys. All the work you have done is for this. Enjoy it.”
Within the framework of the franchise, the wait for post-season glory is elusive. Since its inception as the Washington Senators (relocated to the Twin Cities to start the 1961 season), there have been 18 post-season appearances since 1901. That includes only three World Series titles (1924, 1987, 1991).
Last season, there was a glimmer of hope for October success. After defeating Toronto in the Wild Card series, the Twins were swept by Houston in the AL division series.
With that experience and veteran players returning for the stretch run, there is, as with all clubs in a post-season environment, that sense of the unexpected. Just ask the Arizona Diamondbacks of last season what can happen when hope and production merge.