Minnesota Twins: 5 things that have defined the Twins season so far

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 24: Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of the game on May 24, 2019, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 11-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Bomba Squad is born

When the Twins enjoyed a sustained run of success in the 2000s, they did it by playing one of the purest brands of small ball. By doing the little things such as bunting the ball to move runners over and lining singles to the opposite field, the Twins were able to dominate the AL Central and win six division titles from 2002 to 2010.

Nine years after their last division title, the team that was once referred to as piranhas have evolved into blood-thirsty sharks.

In a season that has been filled with home runs across Major League Baseball, the Twins have jumped on the bandwagon and have assumed the controls. At the All-Star break, Minnesota leads the league with 166 bombs and has 10 players with 10 or more home runs. Another player, Byron Buxton, is on the fringe of making it 11 with nine home runs on the season.

Perhaps the best part of this is that the Twins have hit for power while not relinquishing their approach at the plate. Minnesota is tied for the MLB lead with a .272 team average and a league-leading .833 OPS making them a truly balanced lineup.

While fans may think the bottom could fall out, the Twins are on pace to challenge the MLB record for home runs in the season that was set last year when the Yankees hit 267 dingers. If the Twins hit as they did in the first half, the fun should continue at Target Field.

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