The Turnaround Twelve: A Historic Twins Winning Streak, By the Numbers

[Ted Schwerzler]

Despite being the favorites to win another AL Central division title when the season began, the Minnesota Twins got off to a brutal start. Fueled by magical sausage and a sudden reconnection with their considerable talent, they ripped off a 12-game winning streak. What did it all look like?

 

Image courtesy of © Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Twins' 7-13 start was explicable, but it shouldn't have been as bad as it was. Sure, they were without key pieces like Jhoan Durán, Caleb Thielbar, and Justin Topa, but the lineup failed to launch, too--and Royce Lewis immediately went on the injured list. Carlos Correa missed time. The problems piled up.

Then, Ryan Jeffers took over a meaty package for Kyle Farmer, and the squad went on a 12-game winning streak. Beating the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and the Boston Red Sox, Minnesota partied like it was 1991, racking up more wins in a row than in any season since the one in which they last won a World Series.

So who contributed, and how much?

No one was better during the streak than utility man Willi Castro, as he posted a 1.1 fWAR. That becomes imperative with both Lewis and Correa missing time, and Byron Buxton ultimately ending up injured as well. Castro posted a 1.148 OPS while playing in all 12 games and scoring a team-high 10 runs.

Jeffers was second during the span with a 0.9 fWAR, thanks in part to a 1.108 OPS. His two home runs trailed Edouard Julien’s three and Carlos Santana’s four. He's emerged as one of the league's best catchers, though he's still not one of its most famous (yet).

While Trevor Larnach was not involved for the entirety of the streak, he did play in seven games and got 28 plate appearances. Making the most of his opportunities, he turned that action into a 1.125 OPS, with a home run. Taking over for Matt Wallner following a delayed start due to injury, he has done nothing to suggest he’s unworthy of a long-term roster spot.

It hasn’t been a pretty start for either Carlos Santana or Kyle Farmer, but each have flashed signs of life, and their resurgences, too, powered the streak. José Miranda was also called upon, and he looks hale and healthy, in a way he hasn't since his rookie season two years ago. A clean bill of health makes him an exciting option both at the dish and the hot corner.

Starting three games during the winning streak, Chris Paddack was the Twins' best starter for the fortnight. His 0.6 fWAR paced the staff, and he tallied an 18/2 K/BB with a 2.00 ERA.

It’s been an interesting start to the season for ace Pablo López, but his 22 strikeouts were more than any other pitcher had during the winning streak. He’ll need to dial things in quite a bit if he’s going to compete for a Cy Young Award, but notching a pair of well-earned victories was nice to see.

Simeon Woods Richardson worked through consecutive starts against the Chicago White Sox; seeing an opponent twice that way is never easy to do. The second turn was less impressive than the first, but he held his own and earned a roster spot for the foreseeable future.

With Duran shelved, Griffin Jax held down the fort alongside Brock Stewart and Caleb Thielbar in relief. The Twins might have the best bullpen in baseball when all is said and done, but their depth continues to be tested, with Stewart landing on the injured list being the latest example.

Minnesota has turned the page on their sausage streak, but they can grab another meat confection and have the group work toward taking over the top of the division. A loss was always going to happen, but this team is now battle-tested for the future. Maybe Monday night was the start of a new string.

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[MABB1959]

Glad SWR and Martin are getting their chances.

[Karbo]

The team seems to have figured out the "all or nothing" approach doesn't work for them. Making contact, using the whole field, and honing in on fundamentals is the key for this squad. I expect more HR's when the weather warms. I just hope they don't forget how to play "small ball" when it does.

[Doctor Gast]

It is imperative that we really see the actual cause of the big slump & the turnaround with the 12-game winning streak result. It wasn't the sausage or players it was the change of the team's hitting "all or nothing" approach. If we lose sight of this, we'll fall back on old habits & limit our success.

[TCSquad]

Former MLB pitcher Tony Arnold was at the game last Friday night, and chatting with him, he was raving about the Twins' performance during the streak, and then added: "Baseball is the only sport where the losses can be just as important as the wins." He then explained it's always how you come out of a loss, what you learn from it, and how you improve that tells you how the season is going to go. Well, after Sunday afternoon's loss that ended the streak, I'd say the Twins' 3-1 victory against one of the league's top current pitchers in Castillo was a sign that the 2024 Twins learned from their losses, and turn them into strengths. 

Now, when are they going to start playing Outkast's "Hey Ya!" after Twins' wins (particularly the "Shake it like a Polaroid" line)?

[MABB1959]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

It is imperative that we really see the actual cause of the big slump & the turnaround with the 12-game winning streak result. It wasn't the sausage or players it was the change of the team's hitting "all or nothing" approach. If we lose sight of this, we'll fall back on old habits & limit our success.

I have thought they did not do spring training right.  So maybe April was their spring training.

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

It is imperative that we really see the actual cause of the big slump & the turnaround with the 12-game winning streak result. It wasn't the sausage or players it was the change of the team's hitting "all or nothing" approach. If we lose sight of this, we'll fall back on old habits & limit our success.

I'm still not totally convinced the twins have solved their problems ...

Don't get me wrong  the 10 game winning streak against white Sox , angels and white Sox,  it was good batting practice against those teams to generate some confidence  ...

The  first 2 games against Boston to extended the winning streak to 12 games helped me gain some confidence in the twins approach  , hitting did come alive during the streak  , strikeouts  came down  , doubles went up ,  solo Homer's do nothing for me  ...

What worries me most is the hitting , yes it's came alive but against bad teams  , beating Castillo  yesterday wasn't easy   ,, they only managed 3  hits  against him  and the bullpen allowed the inherited runner  to score 3 against him  ,, the batters did make their hits count with  back to back doubles  , walk and a double  , walk to load bases ,, Vazquez SF to score 1 run and then  Margot single two score 1 run  ....

What concerns me is the hitting against good pitchers ...

The point being is the hitters have to make the hits count and they did against Castillo,  it wasn't easy ...

We did have better pitching in the game , woods richardson was tremendous  ...

[Blyleven2011]

18 minutes ago, MABB1959 said:

I have thought they did not do spring training right.  So maybe April was their spring training.

I  would agree too  , our spring  training efforts are lacking in the preparation of the season  ...

It seems like they are very cautious about the  main roster getting injured and the players just don't get enough game time repetitions to be ready for the season , plus they go from warm climate to colder climate  , ( lame excuse  ) ...

[wornsmooth]

What is up with Julien?

Is he injured and playing hurt? Have opposing scouts figured something out as to how to pitch to him?

For a bit his hitting was on fire, but his strikeouts and early two strike counts seem to occur 3 or 4 times a game. Anyone with insights?