Pulling Off the Impossible

The Twins can make history tomorrow. They can do the impossible. They can accomplish something no team in MLB history has ever accomplished. Three teams in MLB history have come back from 2 games back with 3 games left in the season to win a division title. The Twins can join these teams and also put their name is being the club that one-upped history. They can become the first team to come back to win a division title being 3 games back with 4 games left to play.

How has this happened? How are the Twins still in this race? Those are the questions baseball fans everywhere are asking themselves. How can they pull this feat off without Justin Morneau, with only two of their starting pitchers still in the rotation from the beginning of the season, with two of their starters being rookies, with a scrappy mix of infielders, and with the team never possessing sole lead of the AL Central at any point in the season? Well, except for possibly tomorrow.

They’ve done it with Michael Cuddyer htting 8 HRs and 24 RBIs since the start of September.

They’ve done it by placing Nick Punto at 2nd base everyday, boosting his confidence. Granted, he’s still not All-Star caliber, but compared to his early-season stats, he’s doing surprisingly well. He’s hitting close to .300 since September 1st.

They’ve done it with the re-emergence of Scott Baker as their ace. He’s 8-2 with a 3.21 ERA since the All-Star break.

They’ve done it with Joe Nathan having a career year. He’s 2-2 with a 2.12 ERA and has saved 47 of his 52 opportunities.

And they’ve done it with Joe Mauer. Need I say more? He missed the first month of the season with an injury and has since gone on to hit .366 with a .442 OBP. He’s also hit 28 HRs which more than doubles his previous career-high.

There is more to it than just those players. I could name off every Twin and give you an explanation of how they helped this team be in the spot that they’re in. They have 4 players with over 90 RBIs. They have rookie starters going out there and being fearless on the mound. They have a hodge-podge bullpen that has somehow pulled it together and become reliable. What this team has done is nothing short of miraculous.

It all comes down to tomorrow’s game. Win, and no matter what happens between the Tigers and the Sox, the Twins will have a chance to be the AL Central Champions. Lose, and it’s possible that they’ll have gone on this incredible run for nothing. Personally, I like the Twins chances. Carl Pavano is a veteran who should still pitch well regardless of the pressure. The White Sox are putting John Danks on the mound against Justin Verlander which is a competitive matchup. It’s in the Twins’ hands, however, and they control their own destiny. Win against the Royals and, if they have to, win against Detroit.

You’ve played yourselves back into this…now don’t screw it up!

Tags: carl pavano, detroit tigers, joe mauer, joe nathan, michael cuddyer, Minnesota Twins, nick punto, Scott Baker