The 10 Most Important Home Runs for This Record-Breaking Twins Team

10. Jonathan Schoop at Texas (8/16/19) 0.31 WPA

Schoop entered this game in the midst of what is likely the largest slump of his career. The Rangers had taken the lead in the previous half inning, but Schoop put the Twins back on top with this two-run blast. The Twins would go on to win this game 4-3.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1162549312166875137?s=20

9. Miguel Sano at Angels (5/20/19) 0.34 WPA

Sano’s second home run of the season was definitely a big one. The Twins were up 1-0 throughout the whole game but the Angels came back in the bottom of the seventh and tied it. Luckily, Miguel Sano came up clutch and smoked this two-run bomb that would lead to a 3-1 win.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1130699742768390144?s=20

8. Miguel Sano vs Detroit (8/24/19) 0.35 WPA

This fifth inning blast from Sano gave the Twins a commanding 6-4 lead after being down 4-1 in a game the Twins couldn’t afford to lose. It came during a period where Sano was just insanely productive at the plate and that continued here.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1165430698242502662?s=20

7. Mitch Garver vs Kansas City (6/14/19) 0.37 WPA

The Mitch Garver clutch two-run bomb against the Royals is definitely one of the most memorable homers this season. The late inning drama in a game tied at zero, followed by a crowd-exploding home run to take the lead and later win the game is something everyone will remember.

https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1139721143949189121?s=20

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1139725137475883008?s=20

6. Miguel Sano vs Atlanta (8/5/19) 0.43 WPA

This walk-off bomb from the Twins slugger was easily one of the most dramatic and exciting wins of the season. Playing against an elite Atlanta team, this was the perfect way to begin the series. This pinch -it blast is one of the most memorable homers this season.

https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1158579684084350976?s=20

5. Max Kepler vs Boston (6/18/19) 0.43 WPA

This home run came in one of the craziest and longest games in Twins history. First of all, Max didn’t get an at bat until the eighth inning because he was subbed into the game. He tied the game in the eighth and then hit this clutch home run in the 13th inning. He would go on to provide the walkoff single in the 17th inning.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1141202616346505216?s=20

4. Byron Buxton vs Seattle (6/12/19) 0.45 WPA

Byron Buxton had the entire state of Minnesota cheering for him for like 15 minutes after this huge home run. The Twins would eventually go on to lose, but we’re going to ignore that. Just remember how much fun you were having when this home run was hit to cap off a huge comeback.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1139012744093421568?s=20

3. Eddie Rosario vs Oakland (7/18/19) 0.46 WPA

Rosario pinch hit for a struggling Jake Cave and did what Eddie Rosario loves to do. The Twins were down 3-1 against a great Oakland bullpen and with one swing of the bat, Rosario put the Twins on top for good.

https://twitter.com/sn_mlb/status/1152049389294108677?s=20

2. Miguel Sano vs New York (7/23/19) 0.52 WPA

If you are just a neutral fan, this was probably the greatest game you’ve ever seen. Constant lead changes, clutch hits and huge home runs, finished off by what could finish as the catch of the season. In the late innings, Sano crushed a memorable two -run blast that temporarily had Twins fans ecstatic.

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1153877390059114496?s=20

1. Marwin Gonzalez at Milwaukee (8/13/19) 0.59 WPA

Finally, the most meaningful home run out of this historic season so far was the Gonzo bomb off the elite reliever Josh Hader. The Twins held a lead all the way to the seventh inning, but Ryne Harper gave up a few runs and Hader was in for the two-inning save. Unfortunately for him, he was facing the bomba squad. After a Rosario double and Sano walk, Gonzalez came up with a chance to take the lead and did this….

https://twitter.com/fsnorth/status/1161477762990792704?s=20

Those are the ten most meaningful home runs this season in terms of win probability added. All of them so much fun, and yet we aren’t even at the most fun part of the season. Watch out MLB, the Twins are headed for the playoffs. Which home run was your favorite? Discuss in the comments!