Minnesota Twins: Five Burning Questions

Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have been one of the surprises of the first half of the baseball season. They are currently 41-36 and right in the thick of the playoff race in the American League. They were supposed to be cellar dwellers and focused on the future under first year manager, Paul Molitor. Instead, the Twins are heading to the All-Star break with hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

The final 11 games before the All-Star game will loom large. The Twins will play a four-game series in Kansas City against the American League Central leading Royals. The Twins are currently 4.5 games back of the Royals for first place in the Central. They then travel back to Target field for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles, whom the Twins are tied for the Wild Card lead with. They then finish with a four-game series at home against the Detroit Tigers.

With a strong finish the Twins will set themselves up nicely for a realistic shot of making the playoffs. If they lose all three series before the All-Star break they will find it tough sledding the rest of the way.

Here are five burning questions facing the Twins the rest of the way.