At Progressive Field, the Minnesota Twins let a crucial game slip through their fingers as they squandered a three-run lead, ultimately falling 4-3 to the Cleveland Guardians. This defeat was sealed when Griffin Jax surrendered a game-winning two-run homer to Kyle Manzardo in the bottom of the eighth inning.
A Struggling Team
The Twins' recent performance raises concerns, with 18 losses in their last 27 games. During this challenging stretch, they've consistently struggled on offense, failing to score more than three runs in nearly half of those games. Key statistics paint a grim picture: the team is hitting just .236 with a .296 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage. When the bases are empty, the Twins' batting average drops to .272, ranking them as the fourth worst in the league in such situations.
"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.
Pitching Woes
The bullpen, once a strong point for the Twins with a 3.84 ERA and a tenth-place ranking in win probability added (+3.41) over their first 123 games, has seen a dramatic downturn. In the latest 27-game period, the bullpen's ERA ballooned to 5.47, and their win probability added plummeted to a league-worst -2.75. This decline has been instrumental in their recent struggles.
"It's pretty heartbreaking. We're kind of running on fumes as a staff," admitted Griffin Jax, highlighting the dire situation.
The starting rotation hasn’t fared much better, posting a 6.07 ERA over the same period and averaging just 4.38 innings per start. The relentless schedule, featuring 17 games in the last 18 days, has undoubtedly contributed to the fatigue and inconsistency of the pitching staff. Despite leading or being tied in the seventh inning or later in seven of their last 18 losses, the Twins have found ways to let games slip away.
"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 pitcher Pablo López on the mounting pressure and need for precision.
Holding onto Hope
Despite their recent struggles, the Twins still cling to the third AL wild-card spot, though their lead has dwindled to just 1 1/2 games. As of September 5, FanGraphs pegged the Twins' postseason odds at a robust 95.4%. But the recent downturn has seen those odds drop significantly to 76.4%.
In a bid to bolster their pitching options, the Twins recently claimed left-hander Cole Irvin off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Irvin has a 4.86 ERA in 16 starts and nine relief appearances this season.
"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 the strategic thinking behind Irvin's acquisition.
Key Players and the Road Ahead
There is some hope on the offensive front, with Max Kepler expected to return soon. Additionally, Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have shown signs of life, combining to go 5-for-15 with two doubles and a homer this month. However, the Twins will need more consistent production from the entire lineup to turn their fortunes around.
The road ahead won't be easy. The Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners are nipping at their heels, each just two games behind in the standings. Notably, the Tigers have been on a hot streak, going 23-10 in their last 33 games. Fortunately for the Twins, they hold crucial tiebreakers over both teams, which could prove decisive as the season winds down.
"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," said Baldelli, encapsulating the team's need for introspection and action.
As the season progresses, the Twins must find a way to put nine strong innings together, both offensively and defensively. Their postseason hopes depend on it.