At Progressive Field, the Minnesota Twins suffered yet another heartbreaking defeat, falling 4-3 to the Cleveland Guardians after blowing a three-run lead. Griffin Jax surrendered a game-winning two-run homer to Cleveland's Kyle Manzardo in the bottom of the eighth inning, capping off another disappointing outing for the Twins.
The Twins have been struggling mightily in recent weeks, losing 18 of their last 27 games. Their grip on the third AL wild-card spot has significantly loosened, with their lead now reduced to just 1.5 games. FanGraphs had the Twins' postseason odds at a promising 95.4% as of September 5, but that figure has now dwindled to 76.4%.
"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," said pitcher Pablo López, encapsulating the team's current sense of urgency and frustration.
The Twins' offensive woes are evident, as they failed to score more than three runs in 12 of their last 27 games. During this period, the team is batting a mediocre .236, with a .296 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. When the bases are empty, the Twins are hitting .272, ranking them as the fourth worst in the league in this scenario.
Pitching Woes Compound Troubles
The bullpen, once a strength for the Twins, has faltered recently. The bullpen maintained a 3.84 ERA and was ranked tenth in the league in win probability added (plus-3.41) in their first 123 games. However, in the recent 27-game stretch, the bullpen's ERA has ballooned to 5.47, with a league-worst minus-2.75 win probability added. Griffin Jax voiced the collective sentiment of the pitching staff, stating, "It's pretty heartbreaking. We're kind of running on fumes as a staff."
The rest of the rotation hasn't fared much better, posting a 6.07 ERA during the last 27 games while averaging just 4.38 innings per start. This overworks a bullpen already struggling to keep games close.
Strategic Moves
As the season grinds on, the Twins have been proactive in making strategic moves. Recently, they claimed lefty Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Irvin had a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts and nine relief appearances. Derek Falvey, President of Baseball Operations, explained the rationale behind the move: "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."
Injury Concerns and Player Performances
The Twins have also struggled with injuries, but there is a glimmer of hope. Max Kepler is expected to return, and the duo of Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa has shown signs of life, going a combined 5 for 15 with two doubles and a homer this month.
Manager Rocco Baldelli expressed the need for a collective effort to turn the tide. "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. 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."
Competitors Breathing Down Their Neck
The Minnesota Twins are not alone in their quest for the postseason. Both the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners are just two games behind in the standings. Fortunately, the Twins hold crucial tiebreakers over both teams, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
The Tigers have been on a tear, going 23-10 in their last 33 games, adding more pressure to the Twins' already precarious position. The Twins have played 17 games in the last 18 days, a grueling stretch that has tested their depth and resilience.
As the season reaches its critical final stretch, the Twins find themselves on the brink. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the team's resilience will be put to the ultimate test. While the recent past has been a turbulent period for Minnesota, the potential for redemption remains. For now, every game is a must-win, and every pitch carries weight as the Twins seek to navigate their way back to solid footing in the highly competitive American League.