The Minnesota Twins are fighting for a Wild Card spot as the regular season nears its final month. The Twins sit three games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final Wild Card spot. As for the division standings, Minnesota is 5 1/2 games behind the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox.
The Twins have a relatively easy schedule for the rest of the regular season, with 17 of the 29 remaining games against teams with losing records. And besides the New York Yankees, the teams with non-losing records remaining on Minnesota's schedule, the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians, aren't powerhouses by any means.
While the Twins' main focus right now is making the playoffs, I went ahead and put together a way-too-early postseason roster prediction.
Way-too-early Twins' postseason roster prediction
Pitchers (12)
- RHP Joe Ryan
- RHP Taj Bradley
- RHP Dean Kremer
- RHP Bailey Ober
- RHP Jeff Hoffman
- LHP A.J. Minter
- RHP Andrew Morris
- RHP Yoendrys Gómez
- LHP Taylor Rogers
- RHP Tommy Nance
- LHP Kody Funderburk
- RHP Travis Adams
The Wild Card round is a best-of-three series. Therefore, Minnesota would need just three starting pitchers. As of now, I think Kremer would earn the nod as the No. 3 starter behind Ryan and Bradley, and Ober would be on the roster in case one of the starters runs into early trouble.
There's a solid chance the Twins will consider using Connor Prielipp and/or Zebby Matthews out of the bullpen if they make the postseason. Kendry Rojas could also be used as a relief weapon if he's healthy in time for the playoffs.
Position Players (14)
- C Ryan Jeffers
- C/1B Victor Caratini
- C Alex Jackson
- 1B/2B Royce Lewis
- SS Kaelen Culpepper
- 3B Brooks Lee
- CF Byron Buxton
- OF Austin Martin
- OF Walker Jenkins
- OF Luke Keaschall
- LF/DH Trevor Larnach
- DH Josh Bell
- UTL Kody Clemens
- UTL Ryan Kreidler
Of course, Buxton's playoff availability (if the Twins make it that far) hinges on his health. But even if he's feeling just a bit banged up, the star center fielder should be available in the Wild Card round.
Based on how things are trending, I think the Twins would make room for Jenkins on the playoff roster. Jenkins has been on an absolute tear at Triple-A St. Paul, and if Buxton needs another IL stint after exiting Tuesday's loss to the Athletics, Jenkins should make his MLB debut soon. If Jenkins earns a promotion to the big leagues and has success early on, and Buxton returns before the end of the season, Larnach will likely lose his starting spot on the team.
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