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Minnesota Twins: 4 moves that can help the Twins’ postseason push

By Chris Schad

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 04: Devin Smeltzer #31 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the game on August 4, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 04: Devin Smeltzer #31 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning of the game on August 4, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 17: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of the game on June 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Red Sox defeated the Twins 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 17: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins reacts to striking out against the Boston Red Sox during the sixth inning of the game on June 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Red Sox defeated the Twins 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Start hitting with the bases loaded

The Twins offense has been the catalyst of this entire season and because of the efforts of Nelson Cruz and Max Kepler, the lineup is third in Major League Baseball in runs scored behind the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room to improve and if there’s one area that the Bomba Squad needs to step up, it’s with the bases loaded.

In 80 at-bats this season with the bases loaded, the Twins have basically ground the bat in their hands into sawdust. Minnesota has hit just .200 with the bases juiced and their slugging percentage in said situation is a pitiful .288 with five extra-base hits.

In just about every other situation, the Twins have punished opposing pitchers, but when they find themselves in the batter’s box with a chance to blow the game open, the result never seems to find the outfield grass.

If the Twins can convert a couple of these opportunities, they can turn a close game into a wide-open one that relieves pressure on the starters as well as their shaky bullpen. Perhaps getting Schoop (who is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts with bases loaded) out of the lineup will help, but the Twins need to make opposing pitchers pay.

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