4 Keys for the Twins to Keep Momentum in ALDS Game 3

Minnesota announced that Games 3 and 4 are sold out at Target Field, which should help build off the tremendous atmosphere fans created during the Wild Card Series. If the Twins want to upset the Astros, the club must win its home games and avoid a return trip to Houston. Playoff games take on a different ebb and flow than regular season action. However, there are some keys the Twins can focus on to turn the tide in their favor. 

Get to Houston's Starters
In Game 1, the Twins made Justin Verlander work in the early innings, but the club failed to push across any runs against him. Multiple double plays turned behind Verlander helped to keep Minnesota off the board, and Verlander eventually found his groove on the mound. The team missed early opportunities and ran out of time to complete their comeback in the final innings. Thankfully, the Twins bounced back in Game 2 and scored five runs against Framber Valdez, and that trend needs to continue. 

In Games 3 and 4, the Twins are projected to face two of Houston's more inconsistent starters. Cristian Javier is the Astros' projected Game 3 starter, and he finished the season with career-worst totals in ERA (4.56), WHIP (1.27), and K/9 (8.8). He also allowed three runs or more In three of his final four regular season starts. The Astros can go in a few different directions for Game 4 by turning to Jose Urquidy (5.29 ERA) or switching to Verlander on short rest, but he's struggled in those types of appearances in the past. Minnesota's hitters need to take advantage of these opportunities. 

Home Run Barrage
During the Toronto series, Royce Lewis used multiple home runs to help the team to a Game 1 victory. Jorge Polanco and Lewis hit back-to-back home runs in their Game 1 loss to Houston. In Game 2, Kyle Farmer connected for a massive two-run homer. Home runs have been part of the equation for the Twins for the entire season. In 81 home games, the Twins hit 118 home runs and posted a .778 OPS. However, the club's offense struggled in the first half (.709 OPS) before an influx of young talent helped improve the team's OPS to .808 after the All-Star Break. 

To continue to win in the playoffs, the Twins must use the long ball to their advantage. Minnesota saw Houston's lone left-handed pitcher on Sunday, so the club's young left-handed hitters will get plenty of home run opportunities against Houston's starters mentioned above. Matt Wallner, Edouard Julien, and Alex Kirilloff were held hitless in both home games against the Blue Jays. The Twins need their young bats to step up if they are going to take down the defending champions. 

Keep the Crowd in the Game
A raucous crowd played a role in the Twins series win versus the Blue Jays. Carlos Correa told Sonny Gray and the team's coaches that Toronto's runners couldn't hear the third base coach from second base because the crowd was so loud. The Blue Jays were also taking significant leads on the bases to try and get back in the game. Correa and Gray used the loud crowd to their advantage and picked off Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a critical spot of Game 2. A situation like this likely won't repeat itself, but the crowd can play a factor in favor of the Twins. 

Twins fans are very familiar with home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Metrodome provided a perfect environment to amplify crowd noise and helped the Twins to be nearly unbeatable at home during their World Series runs. Target Field is built on the smallest footprint of any MLB ballpark, which means fans in the upper deck are closer to the field than most other places. Twins fans must be on their feet and ensure the Astros can't get comfortable in Minnesota. 

Quit Pitching to Yordan Alvarez
This change is quite simple. Alvarez might be the best hitter on the planet, and he's already an October legend. Quit giving him pitches to hit. 

Do you think the Twins should make these changes for Game 3? What's the most critical change for the club? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.