Despite being two games under .500, the Minnesota Twins appear to have a legitimate chance to reach the postseason. They trail the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians by two games for first place in the American League Central and sit just one game back of the Seattle Mariners for the third American League Wild Card spot.
To many, seeing that could lead them to believe the Twins could sneak into the postseason, but not as legitimate World Series contenders. However, one look at the rest of the American League suggests the Twins could not only reach the playoffs but also win the AL pennant.
Not long ago, it appeared as if the New York Yankees were almost guaranteed to win the American League this year. They are still arguably the best team in the AL and have the best run differential in the league at +85.
However, with Aaron Judge on the IL and a struggling offense, New York has lost 11 of its last 14 games. Two of those losses came to the Twins last weekend. The Yankees still have the second-best record in the AL but trail the Tampa Bay Rays by four games for first place in the AL East.
Yankees struggles show Twins have legitimate chance to win AL
While Judge's return later in the season will undoubtedly put them in a better spot, and they're surely going to add reinforcements at the trade deadline, the Yankees' rough stretch proves they aren't a slam dunk to win the American League pennant.
Besides the Athletics, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels, every team in the AL that isn't in a playoff spot is within a postseason position by four games or fewer. And the teams besides the Yankees (51-42) and Rays (54-37) in playoff spots are barely holding on.
The White Sox and Guardians are tied for the AL Central lead at just two games above .500. The Texas Rangers lead the AL West at just one game above .500. And the Mariners, the final AL Wild Card team, are just 47-47.
So, while the Yankees and Rays are the favorites to win the pennant, it isn't as far-fetched as many would think to suggest the Twins could go as far as winning the AL. Of course, winning the next round, the World Series, is a completely different animal. The top three teams in the National League (Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves) seem more threatening than any team in the AL right now.
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