Twins Win AL Wild Card
(David Berding) (Getty Images)
Minnesota Twins fans now have something to cheer about. After 18 straight playoff losses, the Twins are finally able to celebrate not only a playoff win but a playoff series sweep as the Twins swept the Toronto Bluejays in one of two American League Wild Card series. The Twins beat the Bluejays three to one in the first game of the Wild Card series and two to zero in the second game. As many questions were going into the playoffs for the Twins, the strong starting and relief pitching, as they were all year, were the critical factors in why the Twins could advance to the American League Divisional Series.
(Abbie Parr) (Associated Press)
Offensively in game one, the tone was set right away for the Twins as former number-one pick Royce Lewis sent a 97-MPH inside fastball into the left-field bleachers in the first inning for an early two-run lead. That was not all for the rookie as Lewis took Bluejays starter Kevin Gausman deep again in the third inning, making the game three to zero. That was all the dominant Twins pitching staff needed as all-star pitcher Pablo Lopez, the Twins game-one starter, gave up one run in five and two-thirds innings, as the Twins bullpen shut down the Bluejays offense the rest of the game.
As for the second game of the Wild Card series, all-star Sonny Gray faced off against former Twin Jose Berrios. Gray gave up five hits and two walks in five no-run innings while also striking out six. After Jose Berrios was pulled at the start of the fourth inning after allowing a first batter walk, the Twins scored their only two runs of the game. In the fourth inning, after a bases-load single by Carlos Correa scored one. Following at bat, Willi Castro grounded into a double play, allowing the Twins to score the second run. In the fifth, Gray faced the red-hot Bo Bichette with runners on second and third with two outs. Gray got out of the jam by picking off Valdamir Gurerro Jr. at second base, which, in hindsight, was the pivot point of the game.
As Twins fans are finally able to celebrate a playoff series victory, it is just the start of what looks like a competitive and intriguing postseason. The Minnesota Twins will now head to Houston to take on the Astros in a five-game series for the American League Divisional Series.
