Twins’ Missed Opportunity Against Rays
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins faced self-sabotage once again on Sunday afternoon, hindering their chance to secure a crucial sweep.
Defensive blunders from the Twins’ relief pitchers extended innings, culminating in a late three-run inning that allowed the Tampa Bay Rays to secure a 7-5 victory in 10 innings at Target Field. Griffin Jax and Justin Topa mishandled comebackers, contributing to five runs against the Twins, who now stand at 43-47. The team has a day off on Monday before starting a three-game home series with the Chicago Cubs, who are currently in first place.
Confidence Amid Challenges
Unlike earlier in the season when the Twins could celebrate a three-game series victory against the Rays, they now find themselves in a challenging situation. The margin for error is razor thin, and time is running out for them to turn their performance around. Nevertheless, the Twins express optimism about fixing their issues before the July 31 trade deadline.
“It’s a good sign when we can come back, even if it falls apart,” said pitcher Joe Ryan. “We just need to put it all together consistently. We had two solid wins this weekend, so we need to build on that momentum.”
Scouts on Watch
Meanwhile, opposing teams don’t seem to share in the Twins’ confidence. With 24 days left until the trade deadline, scouts from various clubs have begun assessing the Twins’ roster closely. These evaluations suggest that rival evaluators might believe the Twins are open to trading players.
If the Twins decide to trade, players like Willi Castro, Chris Paddack, and Harrison Bader may attract interest, albeit with limited trade value due to their impending free agency. For potentially bigger returns, they could consider moving controllable relief pitchers like Jhoan Duran or Jax, who won’t hit free agency until 2028.
Roster Concerns Ahead
The Twins currently have 11 players eligible for arbitration next season, with expenditures on the rise. Even though some costs will be offset by the departures of several free agents, it may not be enough to cover rising arbitration expenses. Additionally, the team’s payroll has already increased by $15 million this year, and there is no certainty that ownership will approve further increases as revenue streams dwindle.
Desperate Measures in Recent Series
The Twins exhibited urgency in capturing two wins against Tampa Bay, playing aggressively throughout the series. Manager Rocco Baldelli took several measures to revitalize the team, including an attempted double steal that ultimately failed. Baldelli also relied heavily on relief pitchers in multi-inning roles, a strategy he typically avoids.
Despite his aggressive decisions, the recent result underscores that errors are proving costly. In Sunday’s loss, Jax and Topa both misplayed crucial balls that turned into runs for the Rays, highlighting ongoing defensive struggles.
Key Players Struggling
Additionally, Carlos Correa’s inconsistency continues to be a concern. Despite drawing two late walks, he failed to deliver in high-pressure situations, striking out multiple times with runners in scoring position. The Twins need him to regain form to bolster their offense significantly.
(Photo: Matt Krohn / Getty Images)
