Minnesota Twins Surge to 13-Game Winning Streak
The Minnesota Twins have set their sights on victory with an impressive 13-game winning streak, largely attributed to an extraordinary performance by their pitching staff. On Saturday night, the Twins shut out the Milwaukee Brewers, winning 7-0, which marks their third consecutive shutout.
Record-Breaking Shutout Streak
Since allowing six runs in the third inning of an 8-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week, the Twins have not surrendered a single run over their last 33 innings. This unparalleled stretch is the longest shutout streak in the franchise’s history, which dates back to its inception in 1961. Although the team previously achieved longer shutout sequences as the Washington Senators, these feats occurred over a century ago, with the last significant streak recorded in 1913.
Strong Performances from the Mound
This recent accomplishment includes three straight shutouts, a feat the franchise last achieved in July 2004. Starting pitcher Chris Paddack led the efforts with a stellar performance on Thursday, allowing three hits over seven innings during a 4-0 win at Baltimore. Following him, Joe Ryan and Pablo Lopez both delivered excellent outings in Milwaukee, each allowing only two hits over six innings.
“You want to follow suit,” Lopez remarked following Saturday’s game. “You want to be the guy that just keeps that momentum going. Joe did it after Paddack. I woke up today just feeling so motivated and ready to continue that.”
Chasing Franchise History
The Twins are currently boasting the second-longest winning streak in the franchise’s history, second only to the 15-game run in 1991, which coincided with their last World Series championship. Additionally, this marks the second consecutive year that the team has amassed a winning streak of at least 12 games. They are the first MLB team to achieve this back-to-back success since the Cleveland Indians did so in 2016-17.
This impressive run has been essential for the Twins, especially as they look to recover from slow starts in recent seasons. Last year, the team began with a 7-13 record before guiding their way back through a 12-game winning streak, although they eventually fell short of the playoffs. This season’s turnaround emerged from an initial 13-20 record.
Strength in Pitching
The Twins’ pitching has been pivotal during this resurgence. After starting the season with a disappointing 1-5 record and a 6.90 ERA in their first 10 games, the starting pitchers have bounced back, going 15-4 with a league-best 2.46 ERA over the last 36 games.
Bailey Ober, who has recorded a 4-1 mark with a 3.72 ERA, attributed the staff’s improved performance to gaining routine as the season progressed: “Once you kind of get your feet wet to start the year, you’re able to get a good routine in…”
Dominance from the Bullpen
The Twins’ bullpen has also exhibited dominance, yielding just one earned run over the past 38.1 innings since May 6. Danny Coulombe, who has not allowed a run in 16.2 innings this season, emphasized the significance of throwing strikes: “When you pound the zone with good stuff, generally good things happen.”
Resilience Amid Injuries
This strong showing on the mound has allowed the Twins to keep winning despite injuries to key players. Shortstop Carlos Correa and center fielder Byron Buxton are currently sidelined due to concussion protocols after a recent collision. Additionally, utility player Willi Castro has missed time due to a knee injury sustained during a game. Despite these setbacks, the team’s pitching excellence continues to carry them forward in a competitive AL Central, where they currently sit four games behind the Detroit Tigers.
The Minnesota Twins’ remarkable streak serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the team, cementing their place in baseball history while they hunt for continued success this season.