Can the Minnesota Twins keep the pace in the season’s final quarter?

With 15 games left in the season the Minnesota Twins are looking a play-off run directly in the eye. Can they keep the pace?

The Minnesota Twins took a Labor Day chance for redemption and came up big against the Detroit Tigers taking 4 of 5! With 15 games to go, the Twins look to climb the play-off ladder. I can hear Canterbury Park’s (and voice of the Vikings Paul Allen voice in my head as he calls a horse race: “And down the stretch they come”.

One thing is certain though: If you’re not in the playoffs, you can’t win them.

Minnesota played very well and took care of business against the thorny Detroit Tigers. Even if the Twins play .400, winning just 6 games down the stretch, I have a hard time seeing 2 teams overtaking them for the final wild card spot in a now clearer play-off picture.

Hopefully Jake Odorizzi can come back from his bruised rib injury this week to get some starts in before seasons end, as a healthy Odorizzi would be a big boost. “Big Mike” Pineda has looked sharp in his outings after coming back from suspension.

Pineda pitching deep into games has been big, as there is no better time than now for the starters to start getting some 7 inning outings. Those deep starts take a lot of pressure off an overworked bullpen.

I think the Twins are going to have play some exceptional baseball down the stretch to win the division. I’m predicting they’ll have to go at least 11-4 to have a legitimate chance as Cleveland looks to have the most favorable schedule the rest of the way.

38 wins may still not get it done, and the Chicago White Sox aren’t going away either. The Twins are coming down the home stretch, and need to keep the pace in the race to the finish.

Final Thoughts

• Congratulations to the Fairmont Martins, Chanhassen Redbirds and Minnetonka Millers in their respective Minnesota Town Ball championships. Town Ball is a hidden gem for baseball in Minnesota, and deserves more coverage.
• Hall of Famer Lou Brock died last week. He got his start in professional baseball in St. Cloud, MN. I met him a few years back, he was a very pleasant man.