When the Twins take the field for their season openers — at Kansas City on Thursday afternoon and a week later against the Guardians at Target Field — it will start a six-month pursuit that's intended to have a better ending that last season when the Twins were eliminated by Houston in the American league Divisional Series. Here's our look at some of the players and issues that will help determine whether expectations are met . . . or disappointment sets in.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Sports
Twins
Twins held to three hits, lose 3-2 to Guardians in extra innings
The Twins lost three of the four games in the series in Cleveland, but still hold the last wild-card spot.
Twins
What you need to know about the Twins and the MLB playoffs
The Twins hold the final wild-card spot in the American League, but barely.
Gophers
Henderson is the Gophers' big-play machine with a big, Cajun personality to match
Jack Henderson, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana, led the Gophers with 59 tackles last season and has taken his game to another level.
Twins
Ouch! Willi Castro sets Twins record for getting hit by pitches in a season
Because Castro crowds the plate, teams pitch him inside, and he's gotten on base 21 times via HBP
Sports
RandBall: As Twins fade down the stretch, plenty of blame to go around
The seeds for Wednesday's disappointing loss were planted much earlier. How far back you want to go probably depends on who you want to blame for a sputtering season.