Twins continue to be their own worst enemy as the bullpen implodes in 5-4 loss to Cleveland
The season is officially on the brink after another late meltdown.
Nothing has come easy for the Minnesota Twins this past month, something that was once against proven true on Wednesday night against the Cleveland Gaurdians.
For the second time in three games, the Twins blew a late lead lost a game they really couldn’t afford to lose. Carlos Correa carried the offense, batting in all four of Minnesota’s runs but the bullpen once again imploded to render the efforts moot.
Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the tenth, the Twins recorded just one out and gave up three runs in what felt like a painful inevitability. Ronny Henriquez tried to close things out but was roughed up by the Guardians for two runs on three hits in just 1/3 innings before Michael Tonkin came on and allowed the winning run.
It’s a crushing loss, one that not only kneecaps the team’s spirits but helps Detroit get even closer to taking over the final Wild Card spot.
Twins blow another opportunity in Cleveland after the bullpen once again implodes
Minnesota came into the night just 1.5 games ahead of the Tigers, who continued their hot streak in Kansas City by crushing the Royals. The Twins still have some breathing room, as their lead over the Tigers is technically a full game larger thanks to owning a tiebreaker, but things are getting dire.
Blowing another lead in Cleveland does more than just push the Twins to the brink, it calls into question whether the team belongs in October at all. The way Minnesota has played over the last month suggests they’re in over their heads; the Twins own the third-worst record in baseball since August 18th and have watched their once mighty bullpen turn into dust.
Recency bias is strong, but what about the bullpen’s work implies that it would hold up in th postseason? Wednesday loss feels like the type of game the Twins would blow in the Wild Card, and the way the Tigers are playing suggests they belong in October more than Minnesota does.
There’s still a week of the season left, which is enough time for the Twins to figure things out and turn it around. They’re running out of time, though, and nothing they’re doing gives fans confidence that things will get much better.
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