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The Twins have two paths to the playoffs. The AL Central title is still in reach, but the club can also qualify as one of the three Wild Card teams on the junior circuit. Minnesota has been behind Cleveland in the division for most of the season, but the Guardians showed some weaknesses in July. However, Cleveland isn’t the only team that Twins fans need to keep their eye on in the coming weeks. Let’s break down the AL Central and Wild Card race.
AL Central Race (Record, Games Ahead/Behind the Twins)
Cleveland Guardians (65-42, +6.5)
Trade Deadline Additions: OF Lane Thomas, RHP Alex Cobb
Cleveland continues to outshoot their expectations with the AL’s best record. The Twins have played well since their terrible 7-13 record to start the season, but continue to be behind the Guardians. Cleveland has an even tighter payroll than the Twins, making adding impact players at the trade deadline difficult. Their farm system has dropped on national rankings, and Twins fans might have hoped that the Guardians would go all-in by the deadline. However, that didn’t happen, and now it looks like a three-team race for the division title.
Kansas City Royals (59-49, 0.0)
Trade Deadline Additions: RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Lucas Erceg, SS Paul DeJong
Kansas City surprised many by spending big this winter on Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Will Smith, Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton, and Garrett Hampson. This was a team that lost 106 games last season, and these additions would only slightly move the needle. Instead, Kansas City started the season on a hot streak by winning over 60% of their games in April and May. Adding the players above helps with Kansas City’s depth, and it could move the needle in the AL Central race--or at least keep them in the Wild Card hunt.
AL Wild Card Race (Record, Games Ahead/Behind the Twins)
New York Yankees (64-45, +4.5)
Trade Deadline Additions: OF Jazz Chisholm Jr., RHP Enyel De Los Santos, RHP Thomas Balboni Jr., RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
New York missed the playoffs last season, which the front office wanted to avoid in 2024. The Yankees made the most significant trade of the winter, acquiring Juan Soto in his final year before free agency. Yankees GM Brian Cashman addressed some of the team’s weaknesses by acquiring the players listed above at the deadline. Can New York hunt down Baltimore and win the AL East? Otherwise, the Twins might be forced to go to Yankee Stadium for a Wild Card match-up.
Boston Red Sox (56-50, -2.0)
Trade Deadline Additions: RHP Quinn Priester, RHP Luis García, RHP Lucas Sims
Boston is in third place in the AL East, but only one game behind Kansas City for the final playoff spot. Many projection models had the Red Sox pegged as the worst team in the division, especially since the team finished 23 games out of first place in 2023. Jarren Duran has played at an MVP level, and other players have compiled surprise performances to keep Boston in the race. There will be some key AL East games in the weeks ahead to decide who wins the division and who earns a Wild Card spot.
Seattle Mariners (57-52, -2.5)
Trade Deadline Additions: OF Randy Arozarena, RHP Yimi Garcia, DH Justin Turner, RHP JT Chargois
Seattle made aggressive moves early in the trade deadline cycle to bolster the outfield and pitching staff. Last season, the Mariners missed the playoffs despite boasting a better record than Minnesota's. Clearly, the front office is trying to avoid last season’s shortcomings. Seattle has struggled since the All-Star Break, but is clearly in the mix for the last Wild Card spot.
Tampa Bay Rays (55-52, -3.5)
Trade Deadline Additions: INF Christopher Morel, RHP Hunter Bigge, OF Dylan Carlson,
Tampa Bay is close to a Wild Card spot, but they traded away multiple big-league pieces, including Isaac Paredes, Randy Arozarena, Zach Eflin, and Jason Adam. The Rays have been run like this for quite some time, with the front office trading away MLB pieces to rebuild the farm system. It will be interesting to see if Tampa Bay can stay in the race with new faces populating their roster.
Which teams are the biggest threats to the Twins? What will it take for Minnesota to track down Cleveland for the AL Central title? Leave a comment to start the discussion.
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