Some Twins fans probably have no interest in watching the 2026 playoffs because their favorite team isn't part of it. Personally, I'd highly recommend watching the postseason regardless. With the looming lockout, this may be our last chance to watch baseball at its highest level for a long time.
Twins fans interested in watching the postseason may be looking for a team to bandwagon. The obvious teams Twins fans DON'T want to root for are the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox. Additionally, Minnesota fans are probably hesitant to cheer for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros.
Here are the rest of the teams in the playoffs:
- Boston Red Sox
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Chicago Cubs
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Atlanta Braves
- San Diego Padres
The Cubs and Brewers are nearby, so it makes sense for Twins fans to root for one of those teams. The Brewers, Rays and Padres have never won a World Series, so fans may want to cheer for one of those clubs.
But if you get attached to your favorite team's players, you may be looking to root for the team with the most notable former Twins. Every playoff team except for the Rays and Guardians has at least one former Twin. So which club should we root for?
Twins fans should root for the Phillies in the playoffs
Personally, I'm rooting for the Phillies. Philadelphia has two former Twins fan favorites: second baseman Luis Arraez and closer Jhoan Duran. It would be fun to see those two players win a World Series.
The Phillies clinched a playoff berth on the final day of the regular season. They are the No. 6 seed in the National League.
Philadelphia will play the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park this week. Game 1 will begin at 1:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday. Game 2 will begin at the same time on Wednesday. For now, Game 3 (if necessary) is slated to start at 1:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, but that could change depending on the outcomes of the other Wild Card Series.
Unfortunately, Arraez won't play in the Wild Card Series after suffering an ankle sprain last week. Hopefully, he will return for the NLDS if the Phillies make it that far.
Arraez signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants over the offseason. The Giants traded Arraez to the Phillies on Aug. 3. He posted 4.1 fWAR and a .310/.345/.419 (110 wRC+) slash line over 151 games this year.
Duran had another dominant season, posting a 1.82 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 33 saves over 59 1/3 innings. He made his first career All-Star Team this year.
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