While key injuries played a big part in the Twins’ abysmal start to the season, the lack of offensive production from three mainstays in the lineup didn’t help either.
Largely because those three players finally started to heat up at the plate, the Twins managed back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Angels, 11-4 on Friday and 5-1 on Saturday, bringing their record to 11-16. Considering Minnesota was at one point 4-11, it appears the team is heading in the right direction.
Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa and Trevor Larnach have looked good offensively lately despite poor starts to the season
While the Twins’ opposing starting pitchers the past two games, righty Kyle Hendricks and lefty Yusei Kikuchi, aren't exactly the most intimidating forces on the mound, the performances from Buxton, Correa and Larnach sparked a pair of much-needed wins for Minnesota.
Byron Buxton continues to provide Twins value on both sides of the field
Buxton went 3-for-8 with a home run, triple, three RBI and four runs over Minnesota’s past two games.
Buxton was hitting .167/.231/.333 after the Twins’ first 13 games this season. Since then, he’s gone 15-for-49 with four home runs in 12 games, improving his slash line to .237/.269/.505. The Twins’ star center fielder is also second in the American League in runs scored behind Aaron Judge’s 23 with 22 and eighth in stolen bases with six. Oh yeah, and he made a spectacular diving catch to end the game with two runners on to give the Twins a 4-2 win against the White Sox last Tuesday.
Carlos Correa starting to heat up at the plate
Correa went hitless against the White Sox last weekend but redeemed himself by going 3-for-7 with three RBI in the Twins’ two victories over Los Angeles this weekend.
It’s a good sign for Correa, who has arguably been the worst hitter in the Twins’ lineup this season. A main reason for Correa's recent struggles has been his tendency to hit the ball on the ground, but he showed he can still successfully elevate the ball when he’s at his best over the past two games.
Trevor Larnach is improving offensively
Larnach hit a three-run home run to cap off a six-run inning, collected an RBI double and walked once in the Twins’ 11-4 win on Friday and hit a single off Kikuchi Saturday.
Larnach collected at least one hit in seven of his last eight games, improving his slash line from .180/.301/.197 to .222/.324/.378. He hit four home runs and notched 9 RBI in those games.