First Pitch: 1:10 pm CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
KNOW THINE ENEMY: Covering the Corner
Folks, if you thought a series with the surging Arizona Diamondbacks offered an exciting B-plot to Minnesota’s failed season, you’re going to love the rest of this weekend.
After the Diamondbacks came into town and won two out of three, they found themselves next-in-line to surpass the New York Mets for the final Wild Card spot — however, a recent dip back to the .500 mark
has put them three games back, a much tougher pill to swallow with only nine games to go. The stakes lent a fair amount of energy to Arizona’s series with the Twins, and goodness knows that Minnesota fans could use any incentive to tune in this month.
That series is over now, but don’t fret – fans of thrilling narrative have just seen a better one roll into Target Field.
On July 8th, the Cleveland Guardians were a colossal 15.5 games back of the division-leading Detroit Tigers, who by all accounts had the Central wrapped up around the All-Star Break. But there’s a reason they say “it ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” and 2025 has the proof. The Tigers had a losing July, and have now gone a brutal 5-11 in the month of September. The Guardians, meanwhile, have only lost four times all month, outscoring opponents 81-45, and winning 13 of their last 14 ballgames, including a monstrously significant three-game sweep of the Tigers at Comerica Park.
Now, Cleveland sits just 2.5 games back, and as soon as this series is over, they’ll host the Tigers for three must-see games next week. The Guardians will also resolve that half-game difference today, as we have a doubleheader on tap at Target Field.
It brings to mind distant memories of 2009, when the Twins had an improbable surge to catch the same Tiger team. While that was an impressive comeback in its own right — requiring Minnesota to win their final five ballgames after being an even 3.0 GB of the Tigers with only four to play (plus a tiebreaker) — the math nerds around the league have identified that Cleveland’s comeback — if it happens — would be the largest in major-league history, as no team has ever sat as many as 15.5 games behind and won their division anyway.
For the Twins, the only thing really on the line is the prospect of losing 90 ballgames again. Minnesota would have to win all but three games from here on out to avoid the sting of a 90-loss season, and the opposition will not be making it easy. They finish with the Guardians this weekend, who have everything to play for. Then they go to Texas, who aren’t officially dead but would require a handful of minor miracles.
Finally, they roll into Philadelphia, who have already won the NL East, but are still playing for the 1-seed and only have two games’ ground to make up on Milwaukee to claim it. They’ll also get to get their butts kicked by Harrison Bader, Max Kepler, and Jhoan Duran, which will be a thrilling and fitting conclusion to the 2025 season.
But for now, we have a pair of games to get off today. Slade Cecconi vs. Joe Ryan in the matinee. GO TWINS GO!
