At Progressive Field on Tuesday night, the Minnesota Twins endured a disheartening 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, squandering a three-run lead. The downfall was punctuated by Griffin Jax, who surrendered a game-winning two-run homer to Kyle Manzardo in the bottom of the eighth inning. This stinging defeat marks the Twins' 18th loss in their last 27 games, as they desperately cling to the third AL wild-card spot with an increasingly tenuous 1 1/2 game lead.
"Our margin of error keeps shrinking and shrinking. Now it's to the point where you've got to take it one day at a time, one pitch at a time, one at-bat at a time. Today will be a tough pill to swallow," reflected a somber Pablo López after the game.
Offensive Struggles Continue
The Twins' offensive woes have been glaringly evident over this challenging stretch. In 12 of their last 27 contests, they have failed to score more than three runs. Their batting average during this period stands at a mere .236, coupled with a .296 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. These figures underscore the struggles of a team that, when the bases are empty, is hitting just .272—ranking them as the fourth worst in the league in such situations.
Manager Rocco Baldelli did not mince words about the team's offensive struggles: "If we're able to do what we need to do on the offensive end, we win, but we did not. We have to do better and we have to put nine innings together."
Adding a glimmer of hope amidst the darkening clouds, Max Kepler is expected to return soon, potentially providing a much-needed boost to the squad. Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have shown promise as well, combining to go 5 for 15 with two doubles and a homer this month. But overall, the Twins have been searching for their identity.
"We have to find ourselves as a team. We've been looking over the last month as far as who we are and how we're going to do this," Baldelli admitted.
Pitching Woes Exacerbate Struggles
Compounding their offensive struggles, the Twins' pitching staff has faltered. In the recent 27-game period, the bullpen's ERA has ballooned to 5.47, and their win probability added is a league-worst minus-2.75. This contrasts sharply with the bullpen's performance in the first 123 games, where they maintained a 3.84 ERA and were ranked tenth in the league in win probability added (plus-3.41).
"It's pretty heartbreaking. We're kind of running on fumes as a staff," confessed Griffin Jax, painting a vivid picture of the team's current predicament.
During the same tumultuous stretch, the rotation has not fared much better, posting a 6.07 ERA and averaging only 4.38 innings per start. The relentless schedule, featuring 17 games in the last 18 days, has not done them any favors either. The Twins had leads in the seventh inning or later in five of their last 18 losses and were tied in two other games during the same time frame, highlighting their inability to close out games.
A Glimmer of Hope: Cole Irvin
In a bid to bolster their pitching corps, the Twins recently claimed lefty Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Irvin, who had a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts and nine relief appearances, brings versatility to the pitching staff.
"We were thinking, how do we lengthen out what we already have? He could be your prototypical swingman who can pitch out of the bullpen. We don't have a left-handed starter in the mix right now either. He just adds another guy that we think can help," explained Derek Falvey, highlighting Irvin's potential role within the team.
A Tight Race
The contest for the AL wild-card spots is intensifying. The Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners are just two games behind the Twins in the standings. However, the Twins hold crucial tiebreakers over both contenders. The Tigers have been on a scorching run, going 23-10 in their last 33 games, which will certainly add to the pressure the Twins are feeling.
As the season winds down, the Twins find themselves at a crucial juncture. With their postseason odds dwindling from 95.4% on September 5 to 76.4%, the team must navigate this turbulent period with resilience and determination. All eyes will be on how they respond, as every game, every pitch, and every at-bat takes on magnified importance.
In the words of Rocco Baldelli: "We have to put nine innings together." For the Twins, this isn't just a directive—it's a necessity for their postseason ambitions.