At Progressive Field, the Minnesota Twins endured a heart-wrenching loss as they surrendered a three-run lead to ultimately fall 4-3 against the Cleveland Guardians. The game took a dramatic turn in the bottom of the eighth inning when Griffin Jax gave up a game-winning two-run homer to Kyle Manzardo. This defeat adds to the mounting woes of a team that has now lost 18 of their last 27 games.
The mounting losses are putting a significant strain on the Twins, who are clinging to the third AL wild-card spot with a reduced lead of just 1 1/2 games. FanGraphs had previously pinpointed their postseason odds at a robust 95.4% as of September 5. However, that optimism has dwindled to a more precarious 76.4% given their recent performance.
A Struggling Offense
One of the key issues plaguing the Twins is their inability to generate consistent offense. In 12 of their last 27 games, they've managed to score no more than three runs. The team is batting a mere .236 over this stretch, with a .296 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. Particularly concerning is their performance with the bases empty, where they rank fourth worst in the game, hitting only .272.
"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," said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. His call to action reflects the pressing need for a turnaround if the team hopes to maintain their playoff position.
Bullpen Woes and Pitching Challenges
The bullpen, which had been relatively reliable earlier in the season with a 3.84 ERA and a win probability added (WPA) of plus-3.41 over their first 123 games, has struggled mightily as of late. Over the recent stretch of 27 games, the bullpen's ERA has ballooned to 5.47, coupled with a league-worst minus-2.75 WPA.
"It's pretty heartbreaking. We're kind of running on fumes as a staff," admitted Griffin Jax, reflecting the sentiment of a pitching unit that has been pushed to its limits. This fatigue is further exemplified by the starting rotation's 6.07 ERA over the same period, averaging just 4.38 innings per start. The toll of having played 17 games in the last 18 days is evident.
Seeking Solutions
In response to their pitching struggles, the Twins recently claimed lefty Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Irvin, who holds a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts and nine relief appearances, is expected to add depth to a beleaguered 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," said Derek Falvey, emphasizing the versatile role Irvin could play.
Immediate Concerns
The immediate task is clear: the Twins need to find a way to win close games. They have held the lead in the seventh inning or later in five of their last 18 losses and were tied in the seventh inning or later on two additional occasions. Such missed opportunities underscore the critical need for both offensive and defensive cohesion.
"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, summarizing the team's precarious outlook.
Key Players and Tiebreakers
There are some glimmers of hope. Max Kepler is expected to return, potentially offering some much-needed stability. Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have shown flashes of their capabilities, combining to go 5 for 15 with two doubles and a homer in the month.
The Twins hold crucial tiebreakers over the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners, both of whom are just two games behind them in the standings. The Tigers, in particular, have been surging with a 23-10 record in their last 33 games, making the Twins' position increasingly tenuous.
"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 remarked, highlighting the necessity for the team to come together during this critical juncture.
The path ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but the Twins must harness every resource and strategy at their disposal to navigate the tight race and secure their spot in the postseason.