MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins were once in a prime position with a staggering 92.4 percent chance of playoff contention back on August 17. Fast forward to Friday, and they suffered a crushing 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, marking their elimination from postseason play. This abrupt fall from grace is not merely an isolated incident—it's a culmination of organizational missteps. Here are five undeniable reasons why the Twins will be watching the playoffs from home this October, while their rivals Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit march on.

1. A Flawed Starting Rotation Strategy

Replacing the combined 288.1 innings pitched by Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda—who both became free agents—was always going to be a monumental task. Compounding the issue, the Twins leaned on two pitchers, Anthony DeSclafani and Chris Paddack, who were returning from injuries. DeSclafani never donned a Twins uniform due to health issues, while Paddack, after returning from his second Tommy John surgery, could only muster 88.1 innings before succumbing to the injured list again. The rotation further crumbled with Louie Varland struggling and rookies like Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa having to fill the gaps, not to mention Zebby Matthews stepping up after Joe Ryan's season-ending injury. The lack of reliable starting pitching proved devastating.

2. The Injury Bug Strikes Key Players

Injuries are a part of baseball, but the timing and impact on the Twins were disastrous. Star player Royce Lewis missed 70 games due to a right quad strain suffered on Opening Day. Injuries plagued Byron Buxton as well, limiting his effectiveness even when he managed to stay on the field. The loss of All-Star Carlos Correa for 53 games due to plantar fasciitis was a significant blow, robbing the team of a clutch hitter and defensive stalwart. Efforts to fill the gaps with other players like Max Kepler and Alex Kirilloff also fell short, resulting in a depleted lineup that failed to perform under pressure.

3. An Offense that Faltered When It Mattered Most

At one point, the Twins boasted one of the league's highest-scoring offenses, thanks to the impressive performance of Lewis, Correa, Buxton, and others. However, when the games counted the most, this electric lineup went silent. Following the injury to pitcher Joe Ryan, the team's offensive productivity plummeted, dropping to a meager 3.7 runs per game during a critical span of 37 contests. Despite returning key players, the clutch performances evaporated, putting immense pressure on pitchers already struggling in a compromised rotation.

4. Bullpen Woes: A Disastrous Performance

Thought to be a potential American League powerhouse, the Twins' bullpen came up short, ranking a dismal 18th in the league for win probability added. A series of injuries limited vital relievers like Brock Stewart and Justin Topa, sabotaging the bullpen's depth. None of the offseason acquisitions provided the necessary boost, and Trevor Richards, acquired at the trade deadline, had an atrocious performance before being designated for assignment. This lack of consistency from the bullpen compounded the struggles of an overworked pitching staff.

5. Cleveland’s Relentless Domination

The final nail in the coffin came from their divisional rivals, the Cleveland Guardians. The Twins found themselves at the mercy of Cleveland's prowess, losing the season series 10-3. The Guardians not only garnered victory after victory but also secured three of those wins through walk-offs, exposing the Twins' weakness in critical situations. Such consistent failure against a key competitor eroded confidence and momentum, ultimately leading to their downfall.

As the Twins turn their gaze toward next season, they will have to confront these harsh realities and take critical steps toward improvement. The once-promising season has concluded with harsh lessons learned, underscoring the need for strategic revisions to avoid such a devastating collapse in the future. Will the Twins rise from these ashes come next season, or is this yet another chapter in a long saga of unmet expectations?