The Minnesota Twins broke a nearly two-decade-long postseason curse by sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card Round on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This historic triumph sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown with the experienced Houston Astros in the American League Division Series.
The Twins postseason woes, spanning back to their last series win in 2002, came to an end with this resounding victory, which also snapped an 18-game playoff losing streak.
In contrast, the Astros have been a dominant force in October baseball, boasting 16 postseason series wins, five American League pennants, and two World Series titles, including their triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies last year.
The Twins offensive firepower, led by former Astros slugger Carlos Correa, was evident this season as they tied for the American League lead in home runs with 233 and ranked fourth in slugging percentage at .427.
While they may not have individual elite sluggers, the Twins showcased their depth as 12 different players recorded double-digit home runs during the season.
Astros vs the Twins.
ALDS.
Be there. pic.twitter.com/avx3D1xCvz
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) October 4, 2023
Despite battling a series of injuries throughout the year, including the uncertain status of Byron Buxton for the postseason, the Twins lineup has continued to produce.
The Twins rotation boasts a formidable one-two punch in Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray, while closer Jhoan Duran notched an impressive 27 saves in 32 opportunities.
On the other side of the diamond, the Houston Astros feature a star-studded lineup with household names like José Altuve, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Yordan Álvarez, Chas McCormick, and pitching aces Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez, along with reliable reliever Ryan Pressly.
The return of Michael Brantley in late August added further depth to their potent offense.
Despite facing their share of injuries during the regular season, the Astros still finished among the top teams in the American League, ranking third in batting average (.259), fifth in home runs (222), third in RBI (799), and third in slugging percentage (.437).
The Astros displayed their resilience down the stretch, going 5-1 in their final six regular-season games against the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, securing both a playoff berth and the AL West division title.
Houston has consistently proven their ability to elevate their game when the postseason arrives.
ESPN suggests you should root for the Twins because you're tired of the Astros. pic.twitter.com/sIHBAISkFB
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) October 5, 2023
This should be a really fun series.
Who do you think will win???