MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins faced a staggering fall from grace this season, plummeting from a formidable 92.4% playoff chance on August 17 to elimination after a crushing 7-2 defeat to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. As fans mourn the loss, here are five critical reasons the Twins will be watching the postseason from home, while teams like Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit secure their playoff berths.

1. Crippled Starting Pitching Strategy

The Twins’ season started with a daunting task of replacing the combined 288 1/3 innings pitched by Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda, who both hit free agency. Compounding that challenge was the selection of two pitchers—Anthony DeSclafani and Chris Paddack—who both came with significant injury histories. Paddack, recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, managed just 88 1/3 innings before succumbing to injury again. Meanwhile, DeSclafani never threw a pitch for the Twins. With their rotation further depleted by Louie Varland's struggles, the pressure fell on rookies Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa, as well as Zebby Matthews, who joined after Joe Ryan's season-ending injury. This reliance on inexperienced pitchers severely hampered the Twins’ chances.

2. Devastating Injuries to Key Players

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in baseball, but the Twins' roster was particularly hard-hit. Star player Royce Lewis suffered multiple setbacks, including a right quad strain on Opening Day and later a right adductor injury, missing a significant 70 games total. Byron Buxton, who managed to play in 100 games, dealt with recurring knee and hip issues, preventing him from reaching his full potential. Perhaps the biggest blow was the prolonged absence of All-Star Carlos Correa, who sat out 53 games with right plantar fasciitis and returned too late to make a significant impact. Additional injuries to Max Kepler and Alex Kirilloff robbed the team of crucial depth and lefty hitters just as they needed them most.

3. An Offense That Fizzled Out

At one point, the Twins boasted one of the most potent offenses in Major League Baseball, ranking fifth in overall runs scored. With high performers like Lewis, Correa, Buxton, and others lighting up the scoreboard, the Twins seemed primed for success. However, as the pressure mounted—especially post-Ryan's injury—the offense went eerily quiet. Following an explosive early season, the team’s bats fell silent, averaging a bleak 3.7 runs per game during a pivotal 37-game stretch. Even with the return of key players, they couldn’t shake off the slumber.

4. Bullpen Disappointments and Injuries

Expectations were high for the Twins' bullpen, which was projected to be among the best in the American League. Alas, injuries severely hampered this unit. Key figures like Brock Stewart and Justin Topa combined for just 37 games due to injury, while Jhoan Duran struggled to regain form after a slow start. Caleb Thielbar, another crucial piece, also faltered significantly. Adding to the calamity, offseason acquisitions consistently underperformed, with Trevor Richards notably struggling, walking 11 batters and throwing seven wild pitches in just 13 innings before being designated for assignment.

5. Cleveland's Psychological Edge

The Twins simply couldn't catch a break against division rivals Cleveland. The Guardians not only dominated the season series with a 10-3 record, but many of those victories were agonizingly close—several ending in walk-offs or one-run margins. This recurring pattern of defeat took a toll on the Twins' morale, leaving them unable to regroup and recover as they watched their postseason dreams slip away.

As the curtain closes on the Twins' season, fans are left wondering what could have been. With such a tumultuous year behind them, the team now faces a critical offseason ahead. How will they rebuild and come back stronger? Only time will tell!