When it was first reported that ESPN was moving yesterday's game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers, the impression was that it would be the two best teams in the American League Central squaring off against each other. The Tigers have been the best team in baseball for most of the season, and the Twins, at the time of the announcement, were quietly ascending toward the top of the American League standings.
Since then, the Tigers have remained the best team in baseball while the Twins have quickly descended back to the bottom of the division, with only the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox being the two teams below them.
After taking Friday's game against the Tigers, Detroit rebounded with a 10-5 victory on Saturday. The series closed on Sunday night, and for Twins fans, it was a reminder of the gap that exists between them and the Tigers.
Tigers' ace, and American League Cy Young Award candidate, Tarik Skubal was dominant as he pitched 7 scoreless innings while striking out 13 and only surrendering 1 hit. In fact, it was a historic performance for Skubal and the Tigers.
appointment viewing every time he’s on the mound pic.twitter.com/PT3skpDHZs
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 30, 2025
Twins' offense fuels rare milestone for rival
In case there was any doubt, Skubal's performance on Sunday night all but confirmed the race in the American League Central is over. After taking two of three from the Twins over the weekend, the Tigers now hold a commanding 11.5-game lead in the division over the Cleveland Guardians. The Twins, meanwhile, are 12.5 games back. In the Wild-Card race in the American League, the Twins are 3.5 games out of the final spot.
With the calendar flipping to July this week, a decision will need to be made in the coming weeks about the direction the Twins will take at the deadline. As of now, Derek Falvey has pushed back against the idea that the Twins will be selling at the deadline. Time, however, isn't exactly on the Twins' side given their recent performance.
Not to mention, for the Twins' next series, they are playing the Miami Marlins at one of the worst teams. The Marlins enter this week as the hottest team in baseball, winners of seven consecutive games.