The Twins and Braves — who met in a classic 1991 World Series — face one another this week at Target Field. The setting is dramatically different than 1991, since the Twins and Braves have baseball's two worst records. But in 1991, the two teams were a year removed from being the worst in their respective divisions.
Here's a look at the teams then and now.
1991 TWINS
95-67
First place, American League West; second-best record in majors
Kirby Puckett had a great Game 6, making a fabulous catch and getting four hits and three RBI, including winning HR in 11th inning.
71
Victories for starting pitchers against 51 losses, a .582 win percentage.
Best starters
Scott Erickson (above), 20-8, 3.18 ERA; Jack Morris, 18-12, 3.43 ERA
Relief pitching
24-16 / 3.53 ERA / 53 saves; Rick Aguilera, 42 saves
Team batting average, leader
.280; Kirby Puckett, .319
Runs per game
4.79
Home runs (season), team leader
140; Chili Davis, 29
1991 BRAVES
94-68
First place, National League West; third-best record in majors
David Justice had 21 HR and 87 RBI in only 109 games during the regular season, supplying offense for a pitching-oriented Braves team.
72
Victories for starting pitchers against 49 losses, a .595 win percentage.
Best starters
Tom Glavine (above), 20-11, 2.55 ERA; Steve Avery, 18-8, 3.38 ERA
Relief pitching
22-19 / 5.57 ERA / 48 saves; Juan Berenguer, 17 saves
Team batting average, leader
.258; Terry Pendleton, .308
Runs per game
4.62
Home runs (season), team leader
141; Ron Gant, 32
2016 TWINS
37-61
Last, American League Central; second-worst record in majors
Eduardo Nunez was the Twins' lone All-Star representative this season. Alas, his average has dipped below .300 and he's a rumored trade candidate.
21
Victories for starting pitchers (43 losses). Projected record: 34-71.
Best starters
Tyler Duffey, 5-7, 5.71 ERA; Ervin Santana, 3-8, 3.93 ERA
Relief pitching
16-18 / 4.41 ERA / 16 saves; Brandon Kintzler, 8 saves
Team batting average, leader
.251; Miguel Sano, .250, 15 HR, 38 RBI
Runs per game
4.44
Home runs (so far), team leader
113; Brian Dozier, 17
2016 BRAVES
33-66
Last, National League East; worst record in majors
Freddie Freeman leads offensively challenged Atlanta with 17 homers, but he has only 36 RBI and already has struck out 114 times in 371 at-bats.
18
Victories for starting pitchers (44 losses). Projected record: 29-72.
Best starters
Matt Wisler, 4-10, 4.92 ERA; Julio Teheran, 3-8, 2.71 ERA
Relief pitching
15-22 / 4.26 ERA / 17 saves; Arodys Vizcaino, 10 saves
Team batting average, leader
.237; Nick Markakis, .262, 5 HR, 49 RBI
Runs per game
3.38
Home runs (so far), team leader
61; Freddie Freeman, 17