Pitching is Obvious Problem… but Minnesota Twins Bats Might be Worse

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Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have seen their postseason hopes fade down the stretch. After not suffering a losing month all season, they are in line to post one during September. There are plenty of places to blame, but the lineup is among the most problematic.

Minnesota Twins forgot how to hit

When the Minnesota Twins got off to a slow start this season it was because the lineup didn’t produce. Then they ripped off a 12 game winning streak and things turned around. Now, once again, the players in the lineup every day continue to come up short.

Every conversation can start with the Pohlad family failing to invest in a team that won during the postseason last year. From there though, things must take a more nuanced look at the players themselves. Regardless of both Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton being out, the group has failed to get the job done.

Baseball is a sport meant to be played through the lens of a marathon. That’s why the Covid 60-game season was a farce. It’s also why failing in the final month two out of the last three years is a problem. Minnesota has struggled to stay consistent as bodies experience the rigors of a full season.

The Twins bullpen, and pitching staff as a whole, has been terrible for some time now. That doesn’t excuse the roster from failing to produce runs. Carlos Santana had an awful time during the Cleveland Guardians. Baldelli’s group never put up more than four runs. They have done so just four times during 18 September games. The reality is that the bats are quiet far too often.

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When the Twins found themselves clawing back into competitiveness, it was because the lineup was able to carry the load. Pitching remains an issues, and outs come in droves at the plate.

Rocco Baldelli needs someone to step up for Twins

When Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton returned for the Twins they were expected to give the lineup a jolt. Both have been great when healthy this season. Unfortunately their presence hasn’t sparked the resurgence of their teammates.

Correa did all of the heavy lifting in an extra inning game against the Guardians. His three hits resulted in four runs batted in. Buxton homered in his return to the lineup and then doubled just a couple of games later. Their teammates haven’t picked them up though. Royce Lewis owns just a .613 OPS in 17 September games, and batters up and down the group are worse.

It’s one thing to fairly criticize the pitching staff, ownership, or front office at this point. None of that is unwarranted, but none of it should happen without also expecting more from the players at the dish. Baldelli has spent weeks trying to mix and match the group towards better answers. Everything has been rendered fruitless, and there is an onus on the professionals to produce.

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There will be plenty of time for finger pointing if and when the Twins don’t make the playoffs. For now though, the lineup needs to hit as much as the staff needs to pitch.

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