Everyone knew the first 12 games after the All-Star break could be backbreaking for the Twins, and they were.
After blowing a 5-0 lead in a walk-off loss to the Dodgers Wednesday, the Twins wrapped up the 12-game stretch with just four wins. Meanwhile, the Indians have won six straight and the Royals have ripped off eight straight wins.
The result has the Twins suddenly staring up at a pretty big gap in the American League Central standings.
Minnesota has also fallen further from the Wild Card leaders.
According to FiveThirtyEight’s daily playoff predictor, the Twins currently have a 9% chance to make the playoffs and just a 2% chance to win the division.
The Twins still play the Indians and Royals six times each, so there’s a chance to make up ground there. The next nine games against the Athletics, Padres and Rangers are also a lot easier and could get even more favorable if the Rangers trade ace starting pitcher Yu Darvish before the July 31 deadline.
Meanwhile, the Royals begin a trip out east against the Red Sox and Orioles while the Indians play the White Sox this weekend then go through a gauntlet against the Red Sox, Yankees, Rockies and Rays.
