The Unexpected Twist That Gives the Twins One Last Shot at the Playoffs

[Matthew Taylor]

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, the final series of the season has offered an unexpected twist.

Image courtesy of © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

It’s painful to admit, but the Minnesota Twins’ playoff hopes seem to dwindle by the day. Whether it's the injury bug that bit too deep or key players simply not performing, the reality is hard to ignore: making the playoffs now feels like grasping at straws. Thanks to the way the schedules for the Twins and the Kansas City Royals have shaken out, though, there’s still a faint glimmer of hope left for Minnesota to sneak into the postseason.

When the 2024 schedule was released, seeing the Twins close out with a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles felt like a cruel twist of fate. Facing off against one of the most talented young teams in the league--one who swept the Twins earlier in the season--didn't offer much hope. Even back then, the thought of winning just one game against the O's in that final series felt like a victory. But as fate would have it, the situation now looks drastically different.

Baltimore’s recent struggles, combined with their position in the standings, have flipped the narrative. Locked in as the top Wild Card team—five games behind the Yankees in the AL East and four games clear of the Royals and Tigers—Baltimore essentially has nothing to play for by the time they face the Twins. Their focus will be elsewhere: resting players and setting up their rotation and bullpen for the postseason. With Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin both slated to sit out that series, and stars like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman likely seeing minimal action, the Orioles’ once-daunting visit now feels more like an opportunity for the Twins.

On the flip side, the Royals, one of the teams Minnesota is fighting tooth-and-nail in the Wild Card race, aren’t so lucky. Their final opponent? The Atlanta Braves. Unlike Baltimore, Atlanta is locked into in a red-hot National League Wild Card race, sitting just a half-game behind the Diamondbacks for the final Wild Card spot and a game behind the Mets for the second. For the Braves, every pitch counts, and they'll be throwing everything they have to secure a playoff spot.

That gives the Twins the slightest opening. Let’s break it down: After Tuesday night’s devastating loss to the Miami Marlins, Minnesota’s playoff chances hinge on two highly unlikely, but not impossible, scenarios:

1. The Twins win out, while the Royals finish 3-2.
2. The Twins go 4-1, while the Royals finish 2-3.

Neither scenario feels particularly realistic given how the Twins have looked recently, but the schedule has fallen in their favor. If Minnesota can close the gap to just one or two games by the time the Orioles come to town, they might be able to sweep a resting Baltimore squad. Meanwhile, Kansas City will have to face an Atlanta team clawing for every last win in a tough environment at Truist Park. It's not unreasonable to think the Royals could drop two, or even all three, of those games.

Of course, none of this matters unless the Twins can take care of business against Miami first. The most likely outcome is still that the season ends with a whimper. But in a season filled with twists and turns, this might just be the final one—a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless.

If the Twins can enter that final weekend series within striking distance of the Royals, the path to an improbable playoff berth might just open up. Sometimes, baseball is about opportunity, and this last one is as surprising as it is precarious.

Do you think the Twins still have hope of a playoff appearance? Does the way the schedule has broken out change your opinion? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

View full article

[Battle ur tail off]

No chance IMO. There might be if they wanted to keep playing but it's kind of obvious they don't. 

Looks like they are all ready for the season to be done. Tired. 

 

[NYCTK]

I'm more interested in if people actually WANT to see the Twins in the playoffs.

I am solidly in the No camp. 

[Whitey333]

No way do I want this Twins team in the playoffs.  They don't deserve it.  Even if they sneak in it will be a very hollow accomplishment.  Only winning 12 of their past 34 games and playing as poorly as they have been they dont deserve it.

[FlyingFinn]

4 hours ago, NYCTK said:

I'm more interested in if people actually WANT to see the Twins in the playoffs.

Yes, make the playoffs. Anything can happen with Lopez, Ober, Jax and Duran. I remember the 1987 World Series.

[Karbo]

10 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Yes, make the playoffs. Anything can happen with Lopez, Ober, Jax and Duran. I remember the 1987 World Series.

87 Twins could hit

[bean5302]

So the implication here is Baltimore is going to throw the series against the Twins... who are the team Baltimore could potentially face in the first round of the playoffs as a result? Baltimore wouldn't want their hitters to get good looks at the Twins' bullpen pitchers and best starters just before the playoffs start?

[Loops]

The Twins look like they have given up and are just waiting for the offseason. Probably a good thing. Even if they make the playoffs it would not be a pretty sight.

[Yawn Gardenhose]

If Detroit wins Thursday afternoon, that guarantees that Baltimore will have something to play for on Friday, regardless of their game with the Yankees on Thursday night. If they beat the Yankees, that means that the Orioles could still win the AL East. If they lose, then they still would need to win at least one game against the Twins to clinch the first wild card, which they would be sure to be motivated to do so considering Detroit plays the White Sox to end the regular season. 

Even if there's nothing to gain for Baltimore from a standings perspective, I can't believe they'd rest *all* their regulars. They've been scuffling for a while and would like to go into the postseason on something of a high note. They might be starting that kind of momentum with a pair of wins at Yankee Stadium. Sure, I'd expect they don't have Ruschmann catch for maybe the whole series, but I bet we see most of their regular lineup for the first two games at the very least. 

[GNess]

Any team with a final record after 162 games that warrants a wildcard / division championship berth deserves the opportunity. The undeserving teams are those whose record didn't qualify them. 

If somehow the Twins make the playoffs I will watch and root for them as always regardless of their level of suckitude the past month. 

It's not like the Twins are .in the postseason every year.

[BH67]

5 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

No way do I want this Twins team in the playoffs.  They don't deserve it.  Even if they sneak in it will be a very hollow accomplishment.  Only winning 12 of their past 34 games and playing as poorly as they have been they dont deserve it.

This is a uniquely Minnesota attitude, largely driven by the slumping Minnesota team in question failing to avenge the fan base for the epic failures of past Minnesota sports teams on big stages.

Getting in and stinking is better than not getting in at all.

As for the Royals, Hurricane Helene will play a huge factor this weekend. The Wednesday and Thursday Braves-Mets games were postponed due to rain ahead of the storm. Friday and Saturday's Braves-Royals games are likely both rainouts as the hurricane moves inland. The AL wild card may not resolve before Monday if the Twins stay in contention.

[dxpavelka]

9 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

No way do I want this Twins team in the playoffs.  They don't deserve it.  Even if they sneak in it will be a very hollow accomplishment.  Only winning 12 of their past 34 games and playing as poorly as they have been they dont deserve it.

If you get in you deserve it.  End of story.

[Riverbrian]

10 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

If you get in you deserve it.  End of story.

Anyone who feels different is so out of touch that they couldn't possibly have an opinion that matters on anything else. 

These bandits are invading another thread with their don't deserve ********. 

I've had it... anyone who expresses it. Is going straight into my ignore. 

 

[Riverbrian]

You can't bench or rest everyone. 

The 5 Orioles who might get playing time can still rip a double in the gap. You might want to look at Baltimore's roster before allowing your mind to drift into this Orioles are just going to lay down zone. 

They may take the opportunity to reset the rotation... However... they are aligned already. We already won't be facing Burnes or Eflin and those two would be 1 and 2 for the playoffs. They might bullpen a game to rest Suarez or Kramer. Bullpen games are always a challenge for anyone... especially if they right left right themselves into our fears.   

Any thought that the Orioles are just going to lay down is just misleading. 

Bottom Line: The Twins gave away a healthy cushion and is now sitting on the hard boards.

They need to win.  

[Squirrel]

34 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Anyone who feels different is so out of touch that they couldn't possibly have an opinion that matters on anything else. 

These bandits are invading another thread with their don't deserve ********. 

I've had it... anyone who expresses it. Is going straight into my ignore. 

 

Amen.

[Western SD Fan]

5 hours ago, BH67 said:

This is a uniquely Minnesota attitude, largely driven by the slumping Minnesota team in question failing to avenge the fan base for the epic failures of past Minnesota sports teams on big stages.

Getting in and stinking is better than not getting in at all.

As for the Royals, Hurricane Helene will play a huge factor this weekend. The Wednesday and Thursday Braves-Mets games were postponed due to rain ahead of the storm. Friday and Saturday's Braves-Royals games are likely both rainouts as the hurricane moves inland. The AL wild card may not resolve before Monday if the Twins stay in contention.

I’ve actually been surprised that a rumor hasn’t come up to play the KC/ATL series in Miami (Marlins finish in Toronto). I would think it would be incredibly hard on the Braves to potentially have to play 2 doubleheaders in 3 days as I don’t see a way that they play on Friday night.

[Craig Arko]

11 minutes ago, Western SD Fan said:

I’ve actually been surprised that a rumor hasn’t come up to play the KC/ATL series in Miami (Marlins finish in Toronto). I would think it would be incredibly hard on the Braves to potentially have to play 2 doubleheaders in 3 days as I don’t see a way that they play on Friday night.

Miami’s not likely to be any better than Atlanta as a locale. I think they may move it to KC.

[Johnny Ringo]

The Twins right now look a team where all nine guys in the field want to tell the opposing batter which pitch is coming.  

The rumors that won't die internally are that DSP is being Bremered and Falvey will get the big chair, while Rocco is available to seek other opportunities. No one please despair for Dave. At One Twins Way, these things come with fancy offices and fancier titles attached.  

I would find those outcomes to be a bit cruel and ironic. People want to pin this season on (in this order) the "cheap" Pohlads and Rocco. The front office takes very little heat. The players take none.

I am not sure that I would flip that order but pretty close. This team has a heart that only an investment banker could love. 

Ownership seems to love the FO. That is a complete head scratcher to me. In my book, they had a flatly awful season. But you know kids, sometimes love can't be explained. I hear my wives' friends whisper that all the time. 

[Western SD Fan]

8 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Miami’s not likely to be any better than Atlanta as a locale. I think they may move it to KC.

I agree that may be the likely outcome. I picked Miami as they have a closed roof and would definitely be preferable to Tampa, Houston, or Texas, all are surprisingly on the road.

[Riverbrian]

26 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Miami’s not likely to be any better than Atlanta as a locale. I think they may move it to KC.

Loan Depot Park

[Squirrel]

2 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Loan Depot Park

Reminds me of the time I added an iffy weather report to one of your openers when we were played in a roofed stadium … 🙂

[Craig Arko]

3 minutes ago, Riverbrian said:

Loan Depot Park

Maybe, won’t do much good if the surrounding area is flooded and people need to evacuate. 

[NYCTK]

9 hours ago, GNess said:

Any team with a final record after 162 games that warrants a wildcard / division championship berth deserves the opportunity. The undeserving teams are those whose record didn't qualify them. 

If somehow the Twins make the playoffs I will watch and root for them as always regardless of their level of suckitude the past month. 

It's not like the Twins are .in the postseason every year.

The expansion of the playoffs has really muddied the waters on what it means to "warrant" a playoff spot. You could make a decent argument that the Minnesota Twins are the 18th best team in baseball. 

[Riverbrian]

13 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Maybe, won’t do much good if the surrounding area is flooded and people need to evacuate. 

This is Miami when the surrounding area is flooded. 

[LambchoP]

Even Baltimores "backup" players can most likely out hit us. I don't think we have much of a chance playing them. They already swept us once this year, I'm guessing this season ends with one last sweep just to complete the collapse. I'm hoping this epic late season failure forces some changes in the coaching staff and some changes in the way we look to fill out our roster for next year. But, it'll never happen, I expect more of the exact same next year. Ownership will cry poverty because of low attendance and TV deal crap, we won't sign any new players except for a few waiver wire, injury relief pitchers. They'll put out a story about all the young talent that is coming up and going to get the team to the playoffs and that's why we didn't sign anyone of note. Buxton Correa and Lewis will be on the IL by the end of April and we'll have a whole team of rookies and minor league players trying to keep us relevant. Sad but true....

[saviking]

KC and Detroit just keep earning their way into the playoffs. There is nothing we can do if they keep winning. 

[Craig Arko]

11 minutes ago, saviking said:

KC and Detroit just keep earning their way into the playoffs. There is nothing we can do if they keep winning. 

Well, we can do lots of things. The Twins may be SOL, though.

[AKTwinsFan]

If Lewis, Jeffers, and the rest of the guys who've been struggling can come up with some clutch hitting like last night then they can. There's no room for error. 

Remember last years World Series winner Rangers were in the exact same spot the Twins are in now. So who knows!?

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, AKTwinsFan said:

If Lewis, Jeffers, and the rest of the guys who've been struggling can come up with some clutch hitting like last night then they can. There's no room for error. 

Remember last years World Series winner Rangers were in the exact same spot the Twins are in now. So who knows!?

The 2023 Rangers have been mentioned a few times recently as a comp for the 2024 Twins. I understand why people would like to make that comparison, but they're two dramatically different teams and situations in reality.

9/1
2023 Rangers (75-59) .560, Pythag (83-51) .617, +169 runs WC3 +1.5 GB

9/15
2023 Rangers (82-65) .558, Pythag (87-60) .589, +159 runs WC2 +1.5 GB

9/25
2023 Rangers (88-68) .564, Pythag (93-63) .599 +169 runs, ALW Lead +4.0 GB*
*+2.5 games up on Houston for the AL West Division lead.

The Rangers lost the division title on the final day of the season, tying Houston for the AL West, but losing the tiebreaker.

There aren't many similarities between Minnesota and Texas. Texas had one of the best run differentials in baseball, was rising in the standings without any degree of likelihood of missing the playoffs (97.1% in playoffs, 86.9% to win the division) by this point in the season, and had recently gotten back major reinforcements in the rotation.

[NYCTK]

1 hour ago, AKTwinsFan said:

If Lewis, Jeffers, and the rest of the guys who've been struggling can come up with some clutch hitting like last night then they can. There's no room for error. 

Remember last years World Series winner Rangers were in the exact same spot the Twins are in now. So who knows!?

I just assumed this was true because I've heard so many twins fans say this recently but it's not. They won 14 of their last 22 games.