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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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- Patzky and Mortimerkenny21
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