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Minnesota Twins: 5 most important players in the second half

By Chris Schad

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 28: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins watches his two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 28, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 28: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins watches his two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 28, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 02: Manager Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Minnesota Twins signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won the game 8-6. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 02: Manager Rocco Baldelli #5 of the Minnesota Twins signals the bullpen to make a pitching change against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the eighth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 2, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won the game 8-6. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Rocco Baldelli

This is a swerve considering the title of the article is five players that are important to the Twins’ second-half success but the decisions of Rocco Baldelli will play a key part in whether the Twins can capture the American League Central or be heading home early.

So far this season, Baldelli has hit all the right buttons for this team to succeed. It started in spring training when he installed a lighter workload on his players and made plans to use three catchers throughout the year to keep them fresh. In addition, his bullpen moves have worked out for the most part, but he’s also been afforded a luxury of a big lead when he’s had to turn to them.

As the season rolls along, the games are going to get tighter putting the microscope on the Twins’ rookie manager. Although there are exceptions, veteran managers usually have the edge once they hit the final months of the season and it remains to be seen if Baldelli’s new age thinking will help the Twins get over their postseason victory drought.

Next. 5 bold predictions for the Twins in the second half. dark

If the moment isn’t too big for Baldelli, the Twins could make a run. If he makes the wrong decisions, this season could come crashing down earlier than expected.

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