It’s been nine years since the Twins popped champagne in the clubhouse after clinching an American League Central division championship, but that could be the case Wednesday night as Minnesota’s magic number to seal the deal is down to two.
Willians Astudillo’s two-run single in the seventh inning, coupled with a two-run double later in the inning by Eddie Rosario, was just enough for the Twins to beat the Tigers 4-2 Tuesday night in Detroit.
Cleveland also won to stay in the wild-card race, but the division is Minnesota’s barring an epic collapse. The Twins can clinch Wednesday with a win and an Indians loss to the White Sox.
If the Twins win but the Indians lose, then the Twins could clinch Thursday with a win over Detroit or a Indians loss to Chicago. Same goes if the Twins lose and the Indians lose. At this point it’s just a matter of when for the Twins.
AL playoff picture
The Yankees and Astros continue to battle for home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. Entering play Wednesday, the Astros (103-54) lead the Yankees (102-56) by 1.5 games.
The Twins, assuming they win the Central, will face the team that finishes with the second-best record in the AL. It appears likely that it’ll be the Yankees, so start mentally preparing yourself for another Twins-Yankees series.
The Astros would then host the winner of the one-game Wild Card. Oakland (94-63) currently has the top wild-card spot with the Rays (94-64) holding the second spot. The Indians (93-64) are right behind both of them.
