Minnesota's Postseason Run Points to a Bright Future
There are two ways to look at the Minnesota Twins 2023 postseason run. On one hand, you could mute excitement by choosing to focus on the Twins winning just a single game in the American League Division Series. That hurts even more after splitting on the road in Houston and holding an advantage when returning home. Conversely, you could be ecstatic about the playoff monkey being gone and multiple streaks ending.
When the Twins knocked off the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the Wild Card series, they ended a streak that has hung over the head of the state for so long. Nothing about the Twins in the postseason has mattered for years because 0-18 became the narrative. Until that streak ended, it was a mind-numbing retort from anyone looking to downplay excitement.
After John Schneider lifted Jose Berrios, and Minnesota went on to win Game 2 of the wild card series, they proved there was even more out there. Ending an inability to win a postseason series since knocking off the Moneyball Oakland Athletics, it quickly became a possible thought that Rocco Baldelli’s club could play spoiled and knock out the reigning World Series champion.
No matter what level of realism existed behind it, there was a buzz during Game 3 and Game 4 of the American League Division Series against the Astros. Even after Sonny Gray got behind 4-0 in the first inning, Twins fans remained on their feet for multiple innings and got excited again as the team made a late surge. It wasn’t expected that Jose Urquidy would stifle the bats in Game 4, but the entirety of Target Field was shaking as Byron Buxton stepped in and Max Kepler struck out.
Those feelings don’t go away simply because the run has ended. This franchise is in a good place with youth, and it’s clear that the leadership has continued to trend towards an infrastructure of sustenance. It’s great that the talent returning has Minnesota in a good place, but the desire to do something with it is higher than ever.
There have been multiple seasons in recent history where Minnesota is projected to win the AL Central. Ron Gardenhire made a habit of winning the division only to have his teams fall short in the playoffs. Minnesota needed to re-establish that ability on yearly for years, but now the desire will and can be for something more. The Twins making the playoffs can't be met with the refrain that it won’t matter. Advancing past a better team, or being the better team someone wants to take down, is the next step.
Ultimately, winning a World Series is what every player and team strives for, but only one organization accomplishes that each season. As we saw coming from a watered-down AL Central this season, anything can happen once you make it to the postseason. The fanbase and those in the clubhouse know that they can do damage when making it into October, and now forcing that issue has to be the goal.
It’s cliché to hear players repeat a desire to win a division, grab a ring, or some other months-long endeavor during spring training. The youth on this team has now experienced it, and so too have some veterans who otherwise had not yet played past September. They’ll be hungry to put value behind the 162-game grind, forcing those games where everything matters is necessary.
Minnesota should be the favorite to win the AL Central next season, and they’ll be well-positioned for some time. Continuing to invest in the organization and force the issue of constant end-of-season relevance is no longer just a nice thing. This postseason run set a new standard, and now it’s time to embark on it.
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