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Minnesota Twins series preview: Can the Twins wrap up the AL Central in Detroit?

By Chris Schad

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 2: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins joke around before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 2, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kepler's single during the eighth inning drove in two run to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 2: Jorge Polanco #11 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins joke around before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 2, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Kepler's single during the eighth inning drove in two run to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 07: Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on September 7, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 07: Mitch Garver #18 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the seventh inning of the game at Target Field on September 7, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

About the Twins

The biggest storyline for the Twins coming into Detroit is the current status of their roster. Although the Twins have the luxury of fielding a 40-man roster over the next two series, that will not be available once the postseason begins with teams trimming back down to 25 players beginning with the ALDS.

With that decision looming, the Twins must find a way to get some of their key players some rest and also find out whether they’ll be healthy enough to contribute to a postseason run.

While Max Kepler will be ramping up his workload and likely won’t take the field until October, the Twins have several other players that are banged up including first baseman C.J. Cron, who is battling a thumb injury, and catcher Mitch Garver, who left Sunday’s game with the Royals with right hip tightness.

In addition to figuring out their health, the Twins must also decide what they want to do in a postseason rotation. As it stands now, only Jake Odorizzi (who will start on Tuesday) and Jose Berrios are locks for the rotation and even as the Twins entered their opener with the Tigers, the starting pitchers for the final two games had yet to be announced.

Either way, the Twins are running out of options. Kyle Gibson and Martin Perez were both ineffective against the Royals over the weekend and while Randy Dobnak could be an opener for a third game, Minnesota will likely need one more candidate to step up before heading to the postseason.

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