Can the Minnesota Twins work their way in?

With six games left the Minnesota Twins are a game out of the final wild card spot. They trail both the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals by the same deficit. Rocco Baldelli’s team holds the tiebreaker over both teams. There is no longer a game 163, so Minnesota would vault both clubs should they finish with the same record.

As things stand prior to first pitch on Tuesday, Minnesota’s playoff odds sit at just 51.2%. The club has tumbled down the standings with a horrid hitting stretch in the month of September. Despite not having a losing month all season, Minnesota could put up their first as they sit 8-13 in September. A perfect 6-0 to finish the season is required to a void that first losing month.

Related: Twins Love Analytics but Refuse to Admit Pinch Hitting is Dumb

It stands to reason that anything less than 4-2 will end the Twins year without a trip to the postseason. Following their deepest postseason run in decades during 2023, that would be a catastrophic failure.

What in front of the Twins this week?

A three game series with the Miami Marlins rolls into a three game series with the Baltimore Orioles. The Marlins aren’t the Chicago White Sox, but they aren’t much better either. At 57-99, they will finish with more than 100 losses, and the Twins should be eyeing a sweep in the first series. Bailey Ober takes the ball in game one, and is followed by rookies Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa.

Bailey Ober, Dirty 82mph Changeup…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/0UgBr34ZOx

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 18, 2024

The Baltimore Orioles are a different beast entirely. They currently hold the top wild card spot and have battled for the AL East crown with the New York Yankees all season. Baltimore is unlikely to make up the six game deficit to win the division, and their four game lead in the wild card should have them feeling safe as well. There is a possibility they could rest players during the final series of the season.

Related: Minnesota Twins Trying to Get Reinforcements Back on the Field

Brandon Hyde’s squad hosts the Yankees for three games prior to their Target Field trip. With stakes higher in those games, Zach Eflin and Corbin Burnes are scheduled to start the second and third games. That would make both unavailable to work against the Twins.

We C you 4 pic.twitter.com/Uj8wUQqm7W

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 18, 2024

The Minnesota Twins were in control of their own destiny for the vast majority of the second half. That is no longer the case, but they can put their best foot forward. The Tigers finish with home series against Tampa Bay and the White Sox. Kansas City closes out the year with road series against Washington and Atlanta. A statement sweep of Miami would put Minnesota in a good place.

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

There is a path back to the postseason for Minnesota this week, but they are going to have to earn every bit of it.

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.

Buck SMOKED that! pic.twitter.com/nVS5U5l0e6

— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 16, 2024

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 López in his last 6 starts ♨️

5-0
1.12 ERA
40.1 IP
39 K
6 BB@Twins | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/iic6VzOYGe

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 16, 2024

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.

Minnesota Twins getting healthy at the right time

As things stand on September 14, the Minnesota Twins still have an 86.1% probability of making the postseason. They are 5.5 games back in the American League Central Division, but have a 2.5 game lead for the final wild card spot. The key is that they are getting healthy. Byron Buxton returned on Friday night, and Carlos Correa was activated on Saturday. It didn’t take long for the centerfielder to make his presence felt either.

There is no denying that Rocco Baldelli’s club has limped towards the finish line. They have a losing record since Correa has been out. Royce Lewis has slumped. The lineup has needed Buxton’s presence. Still, positioned to make the postseason, getting back to a clean bill of health is the greatest boost.

BUCK MAKING A SPLASH! pic.twitter.com/L7Cyw3g8RF

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 14, 2024

In his first game back from the injured list, Buxton went yard. That home run was reflective of the reality they now face. Health into the postseason matters most, and having their full complement of talent is a must. Minnesota is bringing back key players with two weeks left in the season, and there is nothing negative about that reality.

Related: Clubhouse Vibes are Improving but Twins Clearly Feel the Heat

The postseason is largely about making the tournament and then allowing the chips to fall where they may. Both World Series teams last season came in as a wild card.

Can anyone actually catch them?

The Twins trail the Cleveland Guardians by 5.5 games with just 15 to play. Although the two teams have a four-game set in Ohio next week, it’s unlikely that Minnesota can regain control of the division. They may find themselves capable of chasing down the 2.5 game deficit with the Kansas City Royals for the second wild card spot. Those same uphill battles are present for teams hoping to chase down the Twins.

Wallner. Wow. pic.twitter.com/j9jKrl4S7x

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 11, 2024

Currently the Detroit Tigers trail Minnesota by 2.5 games for the final wild card. Minnesota owns the tiebreaker though, effectively making it a three-game deficit. Detroit is also done with Minnesota for the year, and therefore don’t have a direct impact on their chances. The Seattle Mariners are 3.5 games back, but the Twins have that tiebreaker as well. Boston is 4.5 games back, and the two teams face each other next weekend.

The reality is not pretty for any of the potential teams to overtake the Twins. Detroit has just an 11% playoff probability, while the Mariners chances sit at 5.8%. Boston has just a 3% playoff probability. The Red Sox sweeping Minnesota is probably the most drastic swing that could be made, but good baseball has escaped them as well.

Related: Pablo Lopez Perfectly Explains What the Rally Sausage Means to Twins

Minnesota faces a gauntlet against Cleveland and Boston next week, but games against the Miami Marlins still remain. The Twins can’t sleepwalk their way into the playoffs, but even .500 baseball the rest of the way should get the job done.

Where do the Minnesota Twins postseason odds stand?

The bad news is that Rocco Baldelli’s team has not been playing good baseball. The roster has been decimated by injuries and the lineup has failed to do much of anything. The good news is that baseball isn’t often impacted by small sample sizes and the teams around the Twins have largely left them alone. Despite the skid, Minnesota still has a 79.7% chance of making the postseason.

By playing poorly, the Twins have almost no chance to repeat as American League Central Division champions (2.9%). Short of a road sweep against the Cleveland Guardians next week, the most likely outcome is to take the final wild card spot.

Minnesota gave up an opportunity to put the Royals behind them for good when they were swept in Kansas City over the weekend. They still hold the tiebreaker against the AL Central foe, but currently find themselves 2.5 games behind Matt Quartraro’s club.

Related: Twins Draw Up Unique Plan to Prepare Buxton, Correa for Return from IL

The Los Angeles Angels and Cincinnati Reds being in town this week for Minnesota represents the softest part of their remaining schedule. Rocco Baldelli needs better results from his club, and he needs them now.

Minnesota Twins likely postseason scenarios

As much as it was difficult to think that the Minnesota Twins could chase down the Cleveland Guardians, the same could be said about the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, or Seattle Mariners catching Minnesota. The possibility is there, but remote. Should that happen, an otherwise frustrating season will end in disaster. If the Twins can hold on, their possible opponents are relatively clear.

What happens when Astros fans wish Carlos good luck: pic.twitter.com/S4970VeXOB

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 9, 2023

The most likely destinations for Minnesota in the Wild Card round are Houston, New York, and Baltimore. The Astros appear headed for the worst division winning record, while the runner up in the AL East could still be either the Yankees or Orioles. Minnesota is 0-9 against the two AL East teams, and finish their regular season with Baltimore. The Twins went 4-2 against Houston.

It is possible that the Twins control their opponent with the Orioles being the final series of the regular season. For that to hold weight, they will need to stack wins over the next two weeks prior to that set of games.

Related: 5 Minnesota Twins Hitters We Trust Most in the Clutch

The Twins are still in the driver’s seat when it comes to their postseason chances. They need to stop taking detours along the way, however.

Are the Minnesota Twins giving away their opportunity?

In early August the Twins hosted series against both the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals. They were already without Carlos Correa, and lost Byron Buxton one game into the Royals matchup. Before those matchups, Minnesota was 1.5 games back in the division. They split with Cleveland and bested Kansas City, but found themselves 4.5 games out when the dust settled.

Over the 11 games since the Twins have gone just 5-6. Since being walked off by the Texas Rangers, Rocco Baldelli’s club is 2-6. In that time though, they have closed the gap back to 2.5 games. On the 9th both Minnesota and Cleveland had identical 89.2% odds of making the postseason. Today the Twins sit at 89.7%, just above the Royals 89.6% despite trailing them in the division.

What has transpired equates to days being ripped off the calendar. Minnesota hasn’t executed on opportunity in front of them, and yet they haven’t fallen apart either. The Twins remain in contention for a postseason spot, but they should be shooting for a bye rather than a Wild Card berth.

Related: Minnesota Twins Postseason Rotation Could Look MUCH Different Than Expected

The AL Central certainly isn’t a bottom-feeder this season, but the Twins need to find a way back to the top.

It’s not just the Guardians for the Minnesota Twins

All season the desire for the Minnesota Twins has been to chase down the Cleveland Guardians. Terry Francona stepped aside and gave way to Stephen Vogt, but the first-time manager has kept his club in the lead. Minnesota is and ugly 2-7 against the Guardians, and own a -13 run differential. The Royals have passed them as well, though.

Minnesota has bested the Royals in seven of ten games this season, but the results have been separated by just seven runs. Despite the Royals finishing with 106 losses last season, they have experienced a massive turnaround in just a year. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha both wound up being great signings, and the pitching staff has made use of Bobby Witt Jr.’s MVP-worthy season.

The Twins consistently have seen higher odds than the Royals despite having been overtaken in the standings. Minnesota owns the tiebreaker, and Baldelli’s club gets three more games at Kaufman Stadium to start September. Minnesota must take that series and get healthy.

Fangraphs has the Twins at just 25.7% to win the division, behind both Cleveland and Kansas City. The best odds in the division, owned by Cleveland, are just 39.5% to grab a bye. Of the group from the AL Central though, it’s Minnesota’s 5.4% odds to win the World Series that reign supreme. All of these could have been bolstered by legitimate trade deadline additions.

Related: MLB Expert Believes This is the Minnesota Twins Greatest Asset, Come October

If Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa can return, the lineup sees a big boost. Joe Ryan probably isn’t coming back, and that means the youth must step up in the rotation. This team can make noise in October, but they have to get there.

Minnesota Twins unfazed by game 1 win over Blue Jays

LaVelle E. Neal (Star Tribune) was in the Twins’ locker room after the game and that’s how he described the atmosphere while on Michael Rand’s Daily Delivery podcast Wednesday morning. They’ll let the fans have this one. Twins players have bigger things on their mind and it starts with winning one more Wildcard game.

Michael Rand: How did the Twins handle the streak being over?

LaVelle: “It was more businesslike. It wasn’t as pulsating, in the club house afterwards, as I thought it would be. Guys were getting ready, getting dressed, you know, preparing for the next day. I had the chance to talk to Pablo Lopez alone, a little bit, to kind of get his thoughts on some strategy stuff. But Duran, Paddack, Thielbar and some other guys were around and it wasn’t like they lost or won. It was just like, ‘you know what, it has to be wash, rinse, repeat here in a few hours so let’s get after it’.”

Honestly, I was already feeling good about Wednesday’s game, just given the pitching matchup between Sonny Gray and Jose Berrios, but hearing this from LaVelle pushed that confidence to another level.

Related: Minnesota Twins game today: TV schedule, channel, and more

This team feels… different and it’s because of playoff veterans like Carlos Correa

Of course, the Twins will eventually need Carlos Correa to find his inner postseason self, if they are going to make any sort of run at the World Series. But there’s no doubt he and other postseason veterans, like his former Astros teammate and current Twins catcher, Christian Vazquez, mean everything to this team’s attitude and approach during these playoffs. Not to mention, what game-winning defensive plays like this one do for a team’s confidence.

Carlos Correa recovers it and gets the Twins out of the inning! pic.twitter.com/zLHMqDPxXE

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 3, 2023

Even when the Blue Jays got runners were on base late in the game on Tuesday, there was never that feeling of existential dread that has often fallen over the Minnesota Twins fanbase.

Griffen Jax, for example, gave up a lead-off double when he entered the game in the 8th inning. He took a deep breath and followed that potential game-changing extra base hit with three of his most impressive outs of the season.

Big time effort from Griffin Jax pic.twitter.com/oWAL52TCGd

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 3, 2023

None of this guarantees the Minnesota Twins will make a run at the World Series, let alone win another playoff game this postseason. But there’s no doubt this iteration of the Twins has much less of a ‘just happy to be here’ feel to them.

Related: How to watch Minnesota Twins Playoff Games in 2023

We’ll see if that’s enough to break the next losing streak on this franchise’s radar. It was 19 years (2004) since their last playoff win. It’s been 21 years (2002) since their last series win. That can change this afternoon.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

But there’s one injured star who, ailments and all, will be on the field Tuesday. The $36 million per year man, Carlos Correa, who has missed the last two weeks of regular season games after re-aggravating the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, has all but guaranteed his presence in the opening day playoff lineup.

No surprise, but Carlos Correa said he’ll be ready to go for Game 1.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 2, 2023

That’s convenient. Because, injured or not; underperforming or not… it’s always nice to have one of the greatest and most clutch postseason superstars in Major League Baseball history on your playoff roster, while in his prime.

Carlos Correa lives for the MLB Postseason

And, just in case you don’t know or you’ve forgotten, that’s exactly what Carlos Correa is. Every time I look up Correa’s postseason stats, my brain breaks. His playoff numbers are unfathomable.

Remember, as you take in Carlos’ October greatness throughout this blog, that the MLB is over 100 years old and its postseason history is laced with multi-year clutch performers. Guys like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, David Freese and Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson.

Related: Twins Have Mashed Blue Jays Ace Kevin Gausman His Entire Career

But few big leaguers have been as good as Carlos Correa. And at just 29-years-old, the Puerto Rican playoff wonder is on pace to finish his career as the greatest postseason hitter in Major League Baseball history. That is not hyperbole. Tuesday will be the 80th playoff game Correa has played in.

Is Carlos Correa the greatest postseason performer in MLB history?

His first 79 are arguably the best in MLB history. Entering today’s milestone afternoon, the former #1 overall pick is tied for 9th all-time in total postseason bases (152), tied for 7th all-time in home runs (18) and 6th all-time in RBI (59).

14. 2017 WS game 2: Solo home run off Josh Fields (2.80% cWPA) pic.twitter.com/hrjmSWtcGb

— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 19, 2022

Correa’s 334 postseason plate appearances are hundreds less than others on the same lists, including Derek Jeter (734 PA), Bernie Williams (545) and Manny Ramirez (493). That’s why he is 2nd all-time in postseason win probability added (2.7).

Being 2nd all time in playoff wPA says that only one player in MLB postseason history (David Ortiz) has meant more to winning a boatload of playoff games during his career than Carlos Correa.

9. 2021 ALCS game 1: Go ahead solo home run off Hansel Robles (3.62% cWPA) pic.twitter.com/w0xqnpZExa

— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 19, 2022

In order to rack up a bunch of wPA, a player must be a very important factor in a large sample size of playoff victories. His team must win a lot of games and said player must prevent runs on defense while simultaneously producing them on offense.

7. 2020 ALCS game 5: Walk-off home run off Nick Anderson (4.53% cWPA) pic.twitter.com/xtWh6sOj9K

— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 19, 2022

Nearly a decade into his big league career, Carlos Correa has done exactly that. Others in the top 10 of career postseason wPA include Pete Rose (2.6 wPA, 301 PA), Albert Pujols (2.6 wPA, 360 PA) and Lou Gehrig 2.3 wPA (150 PA)

How crazy have the Houston Astros been, since Carlos Correa emerged in 2015? If the Twins are eliminated by the Blue Jays this week, in the AL Wildcard round, it will be the first time in Correa’s career that his team made the playoffs and failed to win at least one series.

Tuesday feels like such a huge turning point in Minnesota Twins history that it’s hard not to be nervous. A loss would send fans into an immediate downward spiral laced with “here we go again”s and “same old Twins”s. The despair would be so palpable, I’m not sure anyone would show up at Target Field for game 2.

It’s time for Carlos Correa to lead the Minnesota Twins out of MLB postseason despair

Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you get my point. A win, however, would catapult the fanbase into near euphoria. The 18 game playoff losing streak would be broken and the only thing left standing between their favorite baseball team and a postseason series win for the first time since 2002 would be Jose Berrios.

But with Royce Lewis nowhere near 100%, if he does play, and a batting lineup packed with postseason inexperience, Carlos Correa becomes the lineup lynchpin. An early 2-run nuke or double into the gap with RISP could put a level of belief into his teammates that cannot be measured or underestimated.

4. 2017 ALCS game 2: Walk-off double off Aroldis Chapman (5.81% cWPA) pic.twitter.com/rk01Bs1IAH

— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) March 19, 2022

Correa hasn’t been “that guy” all year. And no doubt, his plantar fasciitis and 2-week hiatus it caused, doesn’t breed confidence either. But some guys just have that innate ability to flip a switch, come playoff time.

And in October 2023, the man written in at shortstop for the Minnesota Twins in game 1 of the AL Wildcard has been HIM for nearly a decade.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Sure, it took two failed physicals elsewhere to get here, but who cares? All that matters is the Twins now roster a top-3 MLB shortstop, in his prime, and he’ll play his home games at Target Field for the foreseeable future.

Carlos Correa has passed his Twins physical. Announcement coming today.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 11, 2023

2023 Twins are already better than 2022 squad

This is the second time Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have had Carlos Correa dropped into their laps. Last season, the addition of Correa made the Minnesota Twins a playoff possibility, in a weak American League Central.

Unfortunately, the roster battled injuries throughout the season and Byron Buxton played at 50% health for most of it. Still, it was the starting rotation that hurt them most.

In 2023, though, the Twins should be better in all three phases of the game. Of course, Byron Buxton could miss over half the season and that would completely change the conversation. But if we assume they stay relatively healthy, which we must if forecasting the future of any team, the Twins already look playoff caliber on paper.

2023 Twins version 4.0 pic.twitter.com/mMAdhzKTCp

— Nash Walker (@Nashwalker9) January 10, 2023

Infield/Outfield Both Better

Gio Urshela is gone so Jose Miranda will play 3rd base, Jorge Polanco 2nd base and Luis Arraez 1st base. The Twins upgraded at catcher when they signed Christian Vazquez to a 3 year, $30 million deal. Throw Kyle Farmer at SS and it’s an extremely mediocre infield. But with Correa at shortstop, it’s suddenly bursting with talent, potential and veteran savvy.

If we assume Byron Buxton stays healthier in 2023, the outfield is immediately improved from last season. Remember, Buxton’s knee injury forced him to DH for 1/3 of his appearances in 2022.

I am so excited to watch Byron Buxton again this year. pic.twitter.com/TaoxXn09vH

— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) January 2, 2023

Add in Joey Gallo and Max Kepler (for now) and you have one of the best defensive outfield in Major League Baseball. Offensively, the corner outfield presents a likely weak spot. But Gallo provides power the Twins didn’t have a year ago. If his wrist is healthy, Alex Kirilloff could provide an offensive boost at DH, 1B, LF and RF.

Pitching Staff Way Better

In the starting rotation, the 2023 Minnesota Twins look exponentially better off than they did in 2022. Kenta Maeda, Tyler Mahle and Bailey Ober are all expected to start spring training healthy.

Insert those three into a rotation with Sonny Gray (’22: 3.08 ERA, 125 ERA+) and Joe Ryan (’22: 3.55 ERA, 109 ERA+), by far the best and most consistent starters for the Twins in 2022, it might be top-10 entering the regular season.

Is there a bona fide #1 starter on staff? A guy we can all feel comfortable about throwing out there vs any lineup or any top ace in the league? No, but a healthy Mahle is a really good #2 on a great staff and Gray wouldn’t look bad in that spot either.

Joe Ryan projects as an eventual #2 but already stands as a solid #3 starter. A healthy Maeda should be a really good #3, as well, if he returns near his former form. And Bailey Ober, at worst, is a really good #4 option in any rotation.

Then there’s Josh Winder, Luis Varland and Simeon Woods-Richardson, three exciting young starting pitchers who should come into the 2023 season immediately ready to contribute big league innings, if called upon. It’s a type of rotation talent and depth that this roster hasn’t seen in a long time.

In the bullpen, the Twins have some holes but it’s anchored by Jhoan Duran, who looked like one of the most dominant late-inning relievers in baseball last year. Fellow youngsters: Jorge Alcala, Jorge Lopez and Griffen Jax all have questions to answer but they all have proven high-leverage upside at the MLB level.

And let’s be honest, bullpen is the easiest part of your roster to improve both during the season and in the offseason. Between their farm system and the MLB trade market, the Twins should be able to improve their bullpen with relative ease, if necessary.

More Moves Coming…?

On Tuesday, Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP) reported that there will be more moves coming from the Minnesota Twins before spring training hits next month. Luis Arraez, Kenta Maeda, Sonny Gray and Tyler Mahle have all been in the rumor mill recently and all four are logical options to be moved, for one reason or another.

The Twins have valuable assets sitting in their minor league system, too. 2022 #8 overall pick, Brooks Lee, hit .303 with an .839 OPS and finished his first year of pro baseball at AA – Wichita. He’s 21 years old and should continue to skyrocket through the system.

Prospect of the day: Brooks Lee
– #1 prospect in the #Twins system
– 8th overall pick in ‘22 draft
– Switch hitter pic.twitter.com/b14is4jZzx

— Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) December 20, 2022

Royce Lewis (23 y/o) looked more than ready to contribute at the MLB level last season, hitting .300 with a .867 OPS with the Twins (41 PA), until he blew out his knee. Both prospects could be ready for the big leagues by mid-season and both play shortstop.

Could that be where the front office turns, in order to improve the front end of the starting rotation? We’ll see. But even if they don’t, the signing of Carlos Correa has immediately made the 2023 Minnesota Twins a playoff contender and a much, much better team than what took the field in 2022.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Losing four-straight games this late into a contested pennant race would surely put a damper on a team’s realistic hopes of making the MLB Postseason, right? Not so fast, my friend. Not if your division rival can’t win games on a regular basis, either.

Guardians Can’t Close

On Wednesday night, as the Twins’ loss was becoming official, the Guardians were toting a 1-0 lead as they grabbed their gloves and trotted onto the turf in Kansas City. for the bottom of the 9th. But the Royals put up two runs before the Guardians could secure three outs. They walked off as losers, after this Salvador Perez SAC fly scored the winning run. That must be why it’s called a “walk-off”.

SALVY FOR THE WIN!!!

TV: Bally Sports Kansas City
Stream: https://t.co/Skk97QhsGO#Royals pic.twitter.com/L0t5HLEXEu

— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) September 8, 2022

So, even though the Minnesota Twins have lost three-straight games to the Yankees and six of their last ten total, they still remain just two games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central and well within shouting distance of a playoff spot. Because the Guardians are dealing with their own struggles, losing seven of their last ten, including five-straight vs the Orioles and Mariners, before arriving in KC.

Now, let’s look at Thursday. While the Twins are finishing their four-game series in the Bronx, the Guardians have an off day. That means, if Sonny Gray can somehow outduel Cy Young candidate, Nestor Cortez, and the good guys can secure a finale victory tonight, the Twins will head back to Minnesota just 1.5 games back in the AL Central.

AL Central still up for grabs

Guess who will be there waiting for them? You guessed it. Not only do the Twins and Cleveland Guardians play three games against each other this weekend, but they will play five of their next eight vs one another. In other words, the division is still wide open.

Even if you want to give up on the Minnesota Twins season, and I tried to do it yesterday, you can’t. Because the Guardians can’t finish them off. And this isn’t a two-team race, either.

The Chicago White Sox did secure a victory on Wednesday and moved into a tie with the Twins. They too sit just two games back of Cleveland, in the division. And Minnesota will still play Chicago six more times this season, too.

The #Twins get swept by the #Yankees.
The #Guardians lose to the #Royals after blowing 9th-inning lead.
The #WhiteSox come back and beat the #Mariners.
These three teams are now separated by just 2 games in the AL Central race.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 8, 2022

Like it or not, baseball season is far from over. Maybe Carlos Correa can do us all a favor and heat up a little bit in clutch moments…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

In many ways, Correa has lived up to and even exceeded expectations. His leadership is something I’ve never really witnessed on an MLB baseball field. Never have I seen a shortstop who initiates more mound visits than the catcher and pitching coach combined.

And all season long, he’s been pretty consistent. A smidge under his usual expectations, as a whole, but absolutely rock solid. A top-5 shortstop league-wide, factoring for both offense and defense. Yet, something was missing.

Carlos Correa wRC+ with RISP 2019-2021:

120 wRC+ in 357 PA with 12 HR

Carlos Correa wRC+ with RISP in 2022:

71 wRC+ in 90 PA with 0 HR

It seems almost impossible to be this awful. One of the most clutch hitters of his generation just giving the #MNTwins nothing.

Classic.

— Andrew Luedtke (@andluedtke) August 22, 2022

Mr. October: 21st Century Edition

While with the Houston Astros, Carlos Correa became the latest version of Mr. October. A nickname first given to Hall-of-Famer, Reggie Jackson, for his postseason greatness with the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees throughout the 70’s and into the early 80’s.

Since then, it’s become an imaginary award unofficially distributed to only the most clutch playoff performers. But Mr. October isn’t an award that can be earned in just one postseason. It takes many successful playoff runs and must be paired with some semblance of playoff success.

What has Correa done to deserve such a title? Well, at 27 years old, Carlos Correa surpassed Reggie Jackson in playoff plate appearances, with 334 (79 games). But it isn’t about the experience, it’s about results. And man, has Carlos produced.

Not only are his postseason numbers incredible (18 HR, 59 RBI, .849 OPS, 2.70 WPA), but his moments are even better. By the way, Correa’s 18 HR and 59 RBI rank 6th and 7th most in MLB Postseason history, respectively.

Carlos Correa has 17 postseason homers and he’s only 26 years old.

PAY. THE. MAN. pic.twitter.com/f81F11NC6K

— Jackson (@ForeverStros) November 24, 2020

Not-So-Clutch Carlos Correa

But that was Carlos Correa before he got to Minnesota. One of the most clutch performers in MLB history, and with plenty of time to leave an even bigger mark on the game. In the <1 season he’s been in a Minnesota Twins uniform, Correa has underperformed in big moments..

Entering Sunday’s contest vs the Chicago White Sox, 2022 Correa was hitting just .259 with 0 HR and just 5 extra base hits with runners in scoring position. His OPS just .675. Big moment after big moment, Carlos Correa has failed to prove himself as one of the most big moment players in Major League Baseball.

On Sunday afternoon, however, Correa had two huge hits. A 5th inning home run put the Minnesota Twins up 2-0 and a 9th inning double should have scored another run, had Billy Hamilton not tripped rounding 3rd base. No matter, because Jose Miranda hit both Hamilton and Correa in during the next at-bat.

First pitch, no problem. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/jLVj5NZVHo

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 4, 2022

For 2022, this is Carlos Correa’s Team

Thus another reason why Correa’s clutch success is so important. The rest of his teammates clearly look up to him. When he hits in clutch moments, it pushes his teammates to do the same. When he struggles, they tend to struggle.

Byron Buxton or no Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa is the leader of the 2022 Minnesota Twins. If they are going to make any type of postseason run, Correa needs to be the best player in baseball. Someone he’s proven himself to be in many postseasons past.

But the Twins cannot wait for the playoffs. They need Postseason Carlos Correa to stick around for all of September and beyond.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan