Twins can clinch playoff spot this week

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 9/27/2006

They have come too far and accomplished far too much to let it all slip away. The Minnesota Twins can clinch a playoff spot this week at home by simply winning.

 After finishing a critical road trip to Cleveland, Boston and Baltimore successfully by winning seven of 10 games, the Twins have finished 42-39 on the road and can wrap up a playoff spot this week.

 They have four games starting Monday, September 25, one with the last-place Kansas City Royals (58-97) and three with Chicago. The defending division and World Series Champion White Sox (87-69) must win all six of their remaining games and hope that the Twins lose all seven.

 The Twins are 92-63, just a game and a half behind the division-leading Detroit Tigers (94-62). Detroit has already clinched a playoff spot, their first in 19 years, and are currently trying to hold off the Twins for the Central Division crown and home field advantage in the playoffs.

 So far, American League East Champ New York (93-62) and Detroit have both clinched playoff spots; Oakland (90-65) can clinch the West this week. The team with the best overall record in the American League will have home field advantage and the upper hand in the AL playoffs.

 Remember, the American League Champion will have the home field advantage in the World Series by virtue of the American League’s win in the All-Star game.  

 It’s possible the Twins, closing in on their fourth playoff spot in five years, could sweep the post-season individual honors. Catcher Joe Mauer’s .347 batting average, the best in baseball, could win the American League batting title, a remarkable feat for a catcher.

 Mauer and first baseman Justin Morneau (.323 avg., 33 homeruns and 126 RBIs) are both Most Valuable Player candidates. Staff ace Johan Santana (18-6) leads the AL in ERA (2.78) and strikeouts (240). He could win his second Cy Young Award.

 Manager Ron Gardenhire is a candidate to be American League Manager of the year. He has done a great job with this team, especially considering all the injuries the Twins have overcome.

 Torii Hunter has been sensational. He’s Mr. September for the Twins with so many clutch hits and defensive plays for the five-time Golden Glover. With 29 homeruns and 93 RBIs, Hunter has really put the Twins in a tough position where they have to decide to pay him $12 million next year or not.

 Right fielder Michael Cuddyer has come through big time: .279 avg., 22 homeruns, and 101 RBIs. The infield boasts third baseman Nick Punto (.293 batting average), shortstop Jason Bartlett (.318 batting average), and second baseman Luis Castillo (.298 batting average). This team just keeps coming at you.

The Twins lead the American League in team batting with .287. They are among the top defensive teams in baseball with a 4.00 ERA second only to Detroit in all of baseball.

The post season is clearly in the Twins’ future. Getting there has truly been a team effort.