The Minnesota Twins continue to lead their division. Their stretch before the All-Star break is full of division leaders and rivals. Can they stay on top?
The American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins are about to hit a big stretch right before the All-Star break. Sure, they have been cruising though the first two and a half months. This stretch in the next few weeks could be an indicator of how good this team can be.
Their schedule up until the break includes games against three divisional opponents over four different series, three 2016 playoff teams, the team directly behind them in their divisional standings and three teams with records at or above .500. It all kicks off Friday night against the Cleveland Indians.
Tough teams and chances for needed wins.
Their series with Cleveland this coming weekend includes four games, as there is a doubleheader on Saturday. The Indians trail the Twins by just two games in the standings. To stay in sole possession of first place, the Twins need to at least split the series. That could be a challenge against the Indians, as the Twins are 2-4 against them so far in 2017.
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After the Indians series, they have a day off before playing the last place Chicago White Sox. This could give them a chance to get in the win column a few more times before heading out on a road trip to the eastern United States. They are 5-3 against the White Sox in 2017.
On their road trip out east, the Twins stop in Cleveland to play the Indians once again. This will be another big series for division superiority. After their stop at Progressive Field, the Twins will go up against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox are currently 37-29 this season and sit in second place in a tough American League East division. It will be a tough stop for the Twins, as the Red Sox have played well so far in June. They went 1-2 against Boston in their only series this season.
The Twins will make one more stop on the road trip, this time in Kansas City. So far, the Twins are 7-1 against the Royals this season. They will play four games in three days while at Kauffman Stadium. Their success against the Royals earlier in 2017 could translate into this series, which could cap off the road trip nicely.
Back Home for Two More Series
The Twins finish the stretch before the midsummer classic with seven home games. They will play a three game series against the Mike Trout-less Angels to start the home stand. The Angels, however, are a solid 35-35 this season. In their one previous series against the Halos this season, the Twins went 3-1 in Anaheim.
The Twins finish the stretch against Baltimore, playing a four game set. The Orioles are just a game under .500 at the moment and are still hanging around the competitive AL East. The Orioles have been up and down all season, and it will depend on how hot or cold they are to determine how the Twins will head into the break. They are 3-0 this season against the O’s.
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Overall, all of these games are winnable for the Twins. They are division leaders and they have been deserving. They have beaten all of these teams this season, and are winning the season series against all but two of them. If the Twins can keep that trend going, they will cruise into the All-Star break as division leaders and solidify themselves as contenders heading into the second half of the season.