The Minnesota Twins are getting the Sunday Night Baseball treatment. For the first time since 2020, the Twins will be a part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball when they play the Detroit Tigers in a compelling American League Central matchup on June 29. ESPN officially announced the news earlier this week.
As it stands currently, the Twins and the Tigers are the two best teams in the division. Entering Friday, with a record of 45-25, the Tigers hold an 8-game lead over the Twins. Meanwhile, at 36-32 on the season, the Twins are at the center of the American League Wild Card race.
After an 18-8 record last month, the Twins have made headlines for how they have turned their season around. Backed by a strong bullpen, Carlos Correa breaking out of his early-season slump, and Kody Clemens being an unexpected addition, the Twins have been a surprise success story this season.
That doesn't mean there isn't a concern. The Twins' starting rotation has been hit with the injury bug as Pablo Lopez and Zebby Matthews have both landed on the IL with a shoulder strain. Lopez's strain is more severe, with the timeline for a return being between 8-12 weeks. Matthews, meanwhile, is expected to resume throwing in two weeks.
Is it already too late for the Twins to catch the Tigers?
One of the biggest questions that will likely be asked during the ESPN broadcast will be if it is too late for the Twins to catch the Tigers. As much as Twins fans may not want to hear it, the answer to that question is likely yes. The Tigers aren't just the best team in the division; they are the best team in the American League.
The good news for the Twins is that the Wild Card race should include them for the remainder of the season. Now, if the Twins want to solidify their chances of securing one of those Wild Card spots, they need to add a starting pitcher at the deadline. Waiting for Lopez to return can't be the solution for a Twins rotation that has suffered in his absence.