How Worried Should We Be About Minnesota Twins Missing the Playoffs?

The Minnesota Twins have struggled to stay afloat down the stretch . They have been without multiple key players and their postseason hopes have faded. With 15 games left they still control their destiny, but how dire is the situation?

Minnesota Twins getting healthy at the right time

As things stand on September 14, the Minnesota Twins still have an 86.1% probability of making the postseason. They are 5.5 games back in the American League Central Division, but have a 2.5 game lead for the final wild card spot. The key is that they are getting healthy. Byron Buxton returned on Friday night, and Carlos Correa was activated on Saturday . It didn’t take long for the centerfielder to make his presence felt either.

There is no denying that Rocco Baldelli’s club has limped towards the finish line . They have a losing record since Correa has been out . Royce Lewis has slumped . The lineup has needed Buxton’s presence. Still, positioned to make the postseason, getting back to a clean bill of health is the greatest boost.

In his first game back from the injured list, Buxton went yard. That home run was reflective of the reality they now face. Health into the postseason matters most, and having their full complement of talent is a must. Minnesota is bringing back key players with two weeks left in the season, and there is nothing negative about that reality.

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The postseason is largely about making the tournament and then allowing the chips to fall where they may. Both World Series teams last season came in as a wild card .

Can anyone actually catch them?

The Twins trail the Cleveland Guardians by 5.5 games with just 15 to play. Although the two teams have a four-game set in Ohio next week, it’s unlikely that Minnesota can regain control of the division. They may find themselves capable of chasing down the 2.5 game deficit with the Kansas City Royals for the second wild card spot. Those same uphill battles are present for teams hoping to chase down the Twins.

Currently the Detroit Tigers trail Minnesota by 2.5 games for the final wild card. Minnesota owns the tiebreaker though, effectively making it a three-game deficit. Detroit is also done with Minnesota for the year, and therefore don’t have a direct impact on their chances. The Seattle Mariners are 3.5 games back, but the Twins have that tiebreaker as well. Boston is 4.5 games back, and the two teams face each other next weekend.

The reality is not pretty for any of the potential teams to overtake the Twins. Detroit has just an 11% playoff probability, while the Mariners chances sit at 5.8%. Boston has just a 3% playoff probability. The Red Sox sweeping Minnesota is probably the most drastic swing that could be made, but good baseball has escaped them as well.

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Minnesota faces a gauntlet against Cleveland and Boston next week, but games against the Miami Marlins still remain. The Twins can’t sleepwalk their way into the playoffs, but even .500 baseball the rest of the way should get the job done.

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• Carlos Correa is Back for Minnesota Twins
• Optimistic Minnesota Twins Injury Updates Galore