Minnesota Twins

The last time the Minnesota Twins won a postseason game, rookie Royce Lewis was just five years old.

On Tuesday night, Lewis helped the Twins win their first playoff game since Oct. 4, 2004, as Minnesota downed the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card at Target Field.

While some Twins fans entered the playoffs thinking the losing streak would continue, Lewis admitted that the team embraced its unfortunate past to help fuel one of the most memorable victories in recent franchise history.

"We embraced it," Lewis told reporters after the win, "and ended it. We finally got that monkey off our back.''

Lewis, 24, also made some history himself on Tuesday night, becoming the youngest Twins player to hit a playoff home run in 100 years when he sent one into the stands in the bottom of the first inning to give the Twins a 1-0 lead.

Royce Lewis got ALL of that one 💥 @MLB pic.twitter.com/yR2F9fKxlK

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 3, 2023

When he came up to bat again in the bottom of the third inning, another home run soared off Lewis' bat and he became just the third player in history to hit home runs in each of his first two playoff plate appearances.

Lewis' second home run of the game gave the Twins a 3-0 lead.

Royce Lewis is singlehandedly beating the Jays 3-0 😱

His second HR of the day ✌️ @Twins pic.twitter.com/rPp7cItRze

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 3, 2023

"You see him, and he's the highest energy guy," Twins center fielder Michael Taylor said of Lewis after the game. "We were going nuts watching him. We're of on the edge of our seats seeing what he's going to do next.

"He's made for this moment.''

Minnesota is now in a position to win its first postseason series since it defeated the Oakland Athletics in the 2002 American League Division Series.

The Twins could clinch a berth in the ALDS for the first time since the 2019 season with another win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Moving on would surely send the crowd at Target Field into a frenzy.

However, if the Twins accomplish the feat, they will have the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros waiting for them at Minute Maid Park for Game 1 of the ALDS, which will be no easy task.

Royce Lewis broke the Minnesota Twins' 18-game playoff losing streak in grand fashion on Tuesday by smacking two home runs in a 3-1 home victory over the Toronto Blue Jays to kick off their American League Wild Card Series.

Lewis gave the Twins all the runs they needed in the first inning with a two-run shot to left field off Jays starter Kevin Gausman.

Welcome to the Land of 10,000 Rakes. 🎣🎣 #WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/S6yZF97skG

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 3, 2023

Two innings later, Lewis delivered an encore with an opposite-field homer to give Minnesota the 3-0 edge:

Royce is thriving. 😍#WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/46mVsLguHW

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 3, 2023

With that homer, the rookie joined a few exclusive lists, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

Royce Lewis is the 10th player with a multi-homer game in his postseason debut

of those, he’s the 3rd to do so in his 1st 2 PA, joining:

2008 ALDS G1 Evan Longoria
1987 ALCS G1 Gary Gaetti https://t.co/vY6SiQCHOC

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis is the 10th rookie with a multi-homer postseason game

1st since Michael Conforto in the 2015 World Series

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 3, 2023

Toronto got on the board in the sixth after a two-out Kevin Kiermaier single, putting Matt Chapman at the dish as the go-ahead run with Alejandro Kirk on second. Chapman sent the ball to deep center field, but Michael A. Taylor was there to rob him of a potential game-tying extra-base hit:

A Taylor-made catch to preserve the lead. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SKAKJFjcmd

— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2023

Toronto only managed one hit and one walk for the remainder of the game, and Minnesota hung on for the win.

The Twins hadn't won a playoff game since Oct. 5, 2004, when ace pitcher Johan Santana led Minnesota to a 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. New York proceeded to win the next three games to knock Minnesota out of the playoffs.

Minnesota then found itself on the losing end of three-game ALDS sweeps in 2006, 2009 and 2010. The Twins fell to the Yanks in the AL Wild Card Game in 2017 before losing to New York again in a three-game sweep in the 2019 ALDS. The Houston Astros then beat the Twins in a two-game AL Wild Card Series in 2020.

That span marked the longest playoff losing streak in the history of American "Big Four" sports, but it's all over now after Lewis' heroics. The pitching was stellar as well with Pablo Lopez earning the win after 5.2 innings of one-run ball. Four Twins relievers then combined for 3.1 shutout frames.

In the end, the story was Lewis' phenomenal performance and the Twins exorcising some old playoff demons in one fell swoop.

What can you even say about Royce Lewis at this point? Holy shit.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis is not human.

He has homered in his first two postseason plate appearances. He is beating the Toronto Blue Jays, 3-0.

This is absurd.

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) October 3, 2023

"wanna see me do it again"

-Royce Lewis, probably, before hitting his 2nd HR of the day pic.twitter.com/XGsIiWZrQW

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 3, 2023

https://twitter.com/WhoElseButRami/status/1709321986269458898

Royce Lewis just generated more excitement on one swing than the Twins franchise has experienced in well over a decade

— Nick Nelson (@NickNelsonMN) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis yesterday, after being told he doesn't have to run on his sore hamstring if he just hits a home run:

"That would be great. I've thought of Kirk Gibson a few times."

— Betsy Helfand (@betsyhelfand) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis scored all of the Twins runs today. Without him it would’ve been an insanely frustrating 1-0 loss.

— John Kriesel (@johnkriesel) October 3, 2023

They did it! At long last the Twins have broken the curse with a 3-1 win over the Blue Jays. The first playoff win since Royce Lewis was 5 years old. What a moment.

— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) October 3, 2023

ROYCE LEWIS IS THE GREATEST PLAYER TO EVER LIVE

— Ted (@tlschwerz) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis is HIM.

This is legendary. There is Twins magic in the air.#WeBelieveinTC pic.twitter.com/oPI3AEukbl

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) October 3, 2023

Royce Lewis getting on the national radar.

— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) October 3, 2023

TWINS FINALLY WIN A POSTSEASON GAME

IT’S BEEN 19 YEARS https://t.co/DEskfEFJ9I

— Barflaan Tedoe 🇱🇷 (@The_Barftender) October 3, 2023

Let that be a lesson to you all NOBODY BEATS THE MINNESTOA TWINS 19 GAMES IN A ROW IN THE PLAYOFFS https://t.co/KvwJhKJ7jH

— Tony X (@soIoucity) October 3, 2023

The Twins long national postseason nightmare is finally OVER at 18. pic.twitter.com/gBQyIvwCeR

— Mark Rosen (@KFANRosen) October 3, 2023

19 years
6,900 days
18 losses

It’s over. Finally.

The Minnesota Twins have won a playoff game!

— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) October 3, 2023

Minnesota fans snapping the longest playoff losing streak in MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL history pic.twitter.com/xFQq6fB1fB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 3, 2023

Game 2 of the best-of-three series will take place in Minneapolis' Target Field on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. ET. A Minnesota win means a date with the No. 2 seed Houston Astros in the ALDS. A loss will mean a winner-take-all Game 3 on Thursday.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a foot injury and his status for the remainder of the regular season is unclear, per MLB.com's Do-Hyoung Park.

However, Twins acting manager Jayce Tingler said he is "super optimistic" that Correa will be ready for the postseason.

Correa added: "I'm very confident. Very confident. It will take a lot for me not to play in those games. They're way too meaningful and they're way too important not only for the organization, but also for myself. Yeah, I'm confident I'll be there."

Correa was placed on the IL after re-aggravating the plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He has been dealing with the ailment since May and aggravated his foot in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Correa's injury has impacted both his offense and defense this year and he slashed a career-low .230/.312/.399 in 135 games, in addition to posting 18 home runs and 65 RBI.

The Twins are in command of the American League Central with a 81-72 record and are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

If Minnesota secures a playoff berth, its first game would likely be Oct. 3, according to ESPN, which would be 14 days after Correa was placed on the IL.

"We think this is the best way to give Carlos a meaningful, full playoff run," Tingler said.

Correa has extensive postseason experience, having made playoff runs with the Houston Astros in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, helping the team claim a World Series title in 2017.

In 79 playoff games with the Astros, the 28-year-old slashed .272/.344/.505 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI.

The Twins will be hoping Correa can be similarly effective when he makes his expected postseason debut with the franchise this fall. Kyle Farmer and Willi Castro figure to see time at shortstop until he returns.

The Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins have agreed on a one-for-one deal involving a pair of right-handed relief pitchers, with the Twins' Jorge López headed to South Florida for Dylan Floro, per Craig Mish of SportsGrid. The Marlins have since confirmed the move.

The 30-year-old López has gone 4-2 with a 5.09 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. He has struck out 27 batters in 35.1 innings.

The 32-year-old Floro has posted a 3-5 record with a 4.54 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, striking out 41 in 39.2 frames.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and John Bonnes of Twins Daily offered a little more context regarding the deal:

Source confirms: Twins acquiring reliever Dylan Floro from the Marlins for reliever Jorge López. Neither has been great this season. Twins view Floro as potentially more consistent. First: @CraigMish.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 26, 2023

Dylan Floro goes to the Twins for Jorge Lopez, who goes to the Marlins. Interesting to see relievers traded for each other among contenders. Floro is steadier, Lopez greater highs. @CraigMish 1st

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2023

More below but here’s my high level eval: #MNTwins just traded a guy they don’t trust w high leverage innings for a guy they do, or at least might. Floro’s ERA is crummy, but his peripherals are excellent, & he’s worked high leverage for MIA in NL East. https://t.co/giu9igYNCl

— John Bonnes (@TwinsGeek) July 26, 2023

López is one year removed from an All-Star season as a reliever. He went 4-6 with a 1.68 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 44 appearances for the Baltimore Orioles in 2022.

The O's then traded him and cash to the Twins for right-handed pitcher Yennier Cano and minor leaguers Juan Nunez, Cade Povich and Juan Rojas. Lopez didn't fare as well in Minnesota last year, posting a 4.37 ERA in 23 games.

Still, if the eight-season MLB veteran is able to return anywhere near his 2022 Orioles form, then the Marlins are getting a steal.

As for Floro, he's pitched better recently than his 2023 numbers indicate:

Dylan Floro ends his time with the #Marlins playing in 167 games from 2021-2023 the longest tenure with 1 #MLB club in his career. He had a 10-14 win-loss record with 157.1 innings pitched, 32 saves, 3.32 ERA, 151 Ks, 51 BBs, 2.91 FIP, & 1.271 WHIP. #MakeItMiami #DaleMiami pic.twitter.com/ICPBYVDbJ8

— Marlins Historian (@MarlinsHistory) July 26, 2023

Dylan Floro provides some reliability where Jorge Lopez didn’t. In Floro’s last 18 games his ERA is 4.60, but his FIP is 1.56 and he’s walked just 3 batters. He has been hit hard though (.358/.386/.464). pic.twitter.com/hEQVeX2yUJ

— Jeff (@MNTwinsZealot) July 26, 2023

Floro has notably posted ERA of 3.02 or lower in four of his last five full seasons. He's in his eight MLB campaign and has played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Marlins.

Carlos Correa had deals with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants fall through this past offseason because concerns about his long-term durability.

But the Minnesota Twins shortstop is more than happy with where he landed, as he told reporters Sunday.

"I'm very happy with my decision and so is my wife, that our kids are going to grow up in Minnesota," he said.

And he isn't keeping tabs on the teams that passed him by.

"To be honest, I haven't even checked their box score once, them or the Giants," he added. "I'm the kind of guy who turns the page on things real quick. I don't hold grudges and don't have feelings invested in things that don't happen, so it's easy to move on."

The Twins, Mets and Giants have taken divergent paths since their respective decisions on Correa this offseason. Minnesota is just 42-42 but atop the AL Central, bolstered by Correa's solid if unspectacular season (.217 batting average with 11 homers, 37 RBI, 27 runs and a .697 OPS).

The Giants, meanwhile, are 46-37 and currently holding onto the final NL Wild Card spot. Brandon Crawford has largely served as the team's shortstop, hitting just .220 with four homers, 23 RBI, 19 runs and a .637 OPS.

And then there's the Mets.

New York is arguably baseball's biggest disappointment at just 37-46. The Mets are not only 18.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, they are also a whopping nine games back of the Giants for the final Wild Card berth.

Correa was expected to play third base for the Mets. Brett Baty and Eduardo Escobar have combined to somewhat hold down the position, managing nine homers and 37 RBI between them.

It's probably unfair to assume that Correa alone would have solved all of New York's many problems. But a player of his caliber certainly wouldn't have hurt.

As for the veteran shortstop himself, he's moved on from a bizarre offseason that saw two different free agency agreements fall through.

"There are things you can't control and they don't always work out the way you want them to," he said. "But you can't [complain] about it. You've got to move on and look ahead."

The Minnesota Twins manager is...having twins.

Rocco Baldelli's wife, Allie, announced Wednesday on Instagram that the couple is expecting twin boys in September.

The pair also have a young daughter, Louisa, who was born in September 2021.

Baldelli, 41, is a former MLB player and has served as Minnesota's manager since the 2019 season, leading the team to a 314-282 record and two postseason berths, though his teams have gone 0-5 in the playoffs.

The Twins are currently 26-24 and atop the AL Central.

Minnesota Twins star Carlos Correa is dealing with foot and heel injuries that could send him to the injured list, manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters Wednesday.

Correa underwent an MRI that revealed a strain in the arch of his left foot and plantar fasciitis in his heel. He hasn't played since Monday's loss to the San Francisco Giants.

"I think we get to Friday and some of our decisions might be made for us," Baldelli said when asked if Correa could be placed on the 10-day injured list.

Correa had an offseason for the ages, one that might be the subject of a documentary some day.

The two-time All-Star originally agreed to a 13-year, $350 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, only for the deal to get held up because of an issue flagged during his physical.

With the Giants waffling, Correa turned around and agreed to a 12-year, $315 million offer from the New York Mets. Like the Giants, the Mets quickly got cold feet because of something from his physical.

That opened the door for a reunion with the Twins, who finally signed Correa to a six-year, $200 million contract.

The 28-year-old was excellent in his first season with the team. He had 22 home runs, 64 RBI and a .291/.366/.467 slash line in 136 games. His .362 wOBA ranked second among shortstops, per FanGraphs.

Along with re-signing Correa, Minnesota's other major addition in the offseason was starting pitcher Pablo López, acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins.

The Twins are looking to atone for a 78-84 record and a third-place finish in the American League Central in 2022. To that end, Correa's contributions will be critical toward making them a playoff team again.

Correa is having a down year in 2023, slashing .213/.302/.396 with six home runs and 24 RBI in 44 games.

The Twins sit first in the AL Central with a 26-24 record, three games above the second-place Detroit Tigers.

Six weeks into his six-year, $200 million contract, Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa is starting to hear it from home fans amid his offensive struggles.

Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, Correa addressed the boos from Twins fans at Target Field.

"I'd boo myself, too, with the amount of money I'm making, if I'm playing like that," he said.

Correa had an eventful offseason, though probably not for reasons he would have liked. He originally agreed to a 13-year, $350 million deal with the San Francisco Giants that fell through due to concerns about his physical.

The New York Mets stepped in by agreeing to a 12-year, $315 million contract with Correa, but that deal also fell apart because the Mets expressed doubts about his physical as well.

It was revealed the issue stemmed from an ankle injury Correa suffered in 2014 while playing in the minor leagues. He had surgery to repair the injury, but he hasn't had any ankle problems during his big-league career.

There was one incident last season when Correa appeared to tweak his ankle on a slide into second base during a Sept. 20 game against the Kansas City Royals. He even referenced the hardware that was inserted into his ankle after the game.

"He just hit my plate," Correa told reporters. "I had surgery, and he hit it. Just kind of felt numb. Vibrating. So I was just waiting for it to calm down. It was a little scary, but when I moved I knew it was good."

The Twins knew Correa well after he played for them in 2022. They jumped back in to sign him to a six-year contract worth $200 million in January. He's off to a rough start with a .185/.261/.363 slash line, five homers and 15 RBI in 32 games.

Given Correa's long track record of high-level performance in his MLB career, this will most likely be a rough patch that no one remembers by the time this season ends. The 28-year-old hit .175/.264/.350 in July last year, but he still finished the year with a .834 OPS overall.

The Twins hold a two-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the American League Central.

Chicago White Sox reliever Keynan Middleton had strong words for Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa after the two teams faced off on Wednesday, a 6-4 White Sox win.

"I knew I was going to face Correa, and I don't like him, so it was kind of cool," he told reporters. "I like that. I enjoyed that a lot. ... I mean, he's a cheater."

"I've heard worse," Correa said in response to those comments on Thursday.

Middleton struck out Correa to end Wednesday's game. The Twins' slugger had previously hit a pair of doubles in three at-bats against the reliever.

"I'm just glad he's doing good and playing good and he can take care of his family," Correa said of Middleton. "Obviously his stuff has gotten better. That's why he's pitching in high-leverage situations for them."

Correa, 28, was a member of the 2017 Houston Astros who won the World Series, but were later mired in scandal when an elaborate sign-stealing operation was uncovered by Major League Baseball.

The organization was ultimately fined $5 million, was forced to forfeit first- and second-round picks in both the 2020 and 2021 drafts and general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager A.J. Hinch were suspended for the 2020 campaign and subsequently fired by the team.

Because a number of players cooperated in the MLB investigation, however, none were punished and were granted immunity. But a number of people around baseball clearly haven't forgotten, including Middleton.

At this point, the players on that team have grown accustomed to the disdain.

"We're used to it,'' Astros third baseman Alex Bregman told reporters ahead of last season's World Series, in anticipation of hearing boos and jeers from Philadelphia fans. "We're all good. We're going to focus on playing baseball. We're in the World Series. This is what it's all about. I don't worry about any of the other stuff, I worry about playing baseball."

It appears Correa, now on the Twins, is taking the same approach.

The Minnesota Twins and starting pitcher Pablo López are "close" to an agreement on a four-year, $73.5 million extension, according to the Miami Herald's Craig Mish and The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

López was eligible to become a free agent in 2025. Once signed, his new contract will go into effect next season.

The Twins acquired the right-hander in January in a trade that saw American League batting champion Luis Arraez head to the Miami Marlins. He appeared in 32 games for Miami in 2022, finishing 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA and a 3.71 FIP while averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

López has exceeded expectations early into his Minnesota tenure. He's leading MLB with 33 strikeouts and has a 2.71 FIP through four starts. He's tied for seventh in WAR (0.7) among all pitchers at FanGraphs.

The Twins, meanwhile, are 10-6 and one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central. They understand they're in a position to contend not just now, but well into the future.

Twins already had Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton as long-term building blocks, both under contract through at least the 2028 season.

Pablo López can now be that anchor on the pitching side, under contract through 2027. (Joe Ryan is also under club control through ‘27.)

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 17, 2023

Based on his career output, López will probably cool off a bit. The Venezuelan had a 3.77 FIP and struck out 8.6 batters per nine innings during his five-year run in Miami.

But an $18.4 million salary is a reasonable outlay in the event he regresses to be more of a No. 2 or 3 starter instead of a bona fide ace of the staff. The 27-year-old will be a massive bargain if his 2023 performance is indicative of his value moving forward.

From López's perspective, he gets long-term security and could be in a good position to get another sizable contract down the line. He'll be entering his age-32 season when he hits the open market in 2028.