We're officially in the endgame now, as the Minnesota Twins have just over 20 games left in the season to punch a playoff ticket.
Right now things are looking good in terms of Minnesota's chances, even if below the surface things are a little bit more dire. The Twins are dealing with a rash of brutal injuries, as key players like Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Joe Ryan are all out with the latter being essentially lost for the remainder of the regular sason.
If the Twins want to maintain their current standing, it will fall on the shoulders of rising stars like Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee while Triple-A vets like Michael Helman and DsShawn Keirsey Jr. try to fill in where they can.
One thing that will help alleviate some stress is having a good weekend series against the Kansas City Royals. Minnesota has already won the season series, but can go a long way in putting the Royals away in the AL Central race depending on how these next three games go.
Updated Minnesota Twins magic number after series split with Rays
Here's where things stand after the Twins' series down in Tampa Bay and ahead of a crucial weekend in Kansas City:
Magic Number | Games Remaining | |
|---|---|---|
Win AL Central | 28 | 22 |
Clinch Wild Card | 17 | 22 |
First Round Bye | -4.0 games |
The easiest path for the Twins is through the Wild Card, which they have firm control of one way or another. Minnesota has a half-game lead on Kansas City for the No. 5 seed but have a 4.5 game lead on the Boston Red Sox for that last spot in the postseason.
Right now the main focus should be on taking the Royals out, which can happen with another series victory this weekend. Minnesota can't eliminate Kansas City from contending for the AL Central crown, but can earn a 3.5 game buffer ahead of a critical four-game series in a week with Cleveland.
All of that is easier said than done, but the Twins are playing a de facto playoff series this weekend and need to show up in ways they haven't over the last six games. Just as much as Minnesota can get a lead on Kansas City, the Royals have a chance to knock the Twins down and potentially out of the race for the division, so the stakes are about as high as they can get as the screws tighten on the home stretch of the season.
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