The Minnesota Twins are shifting their focus after a subpar March and April that left them with a 13-18 record. Early on, the team seemed anxious and distressed on the field, affecting both their offense and defense. At one point, they were in fourth place.
Lack of Offense
Early injuries to key players, including Royce Lewis, who started the season on the injured list, and Brooks Lee, definitely affected the team’s performance. However, it was mainly the lack of offense that led to their early woes. To begin the season, they struggled to score runs, managing only 14 in the first five games. Then, their collective batting average with runners in scoring position dipped below .200 for April. It did not help that Carlos Correa and Willi Castro struggled to get hits and drive in runs during the first 31 games.
Royce Lewis is 11-for-23 (.478) with the bases loaded in his career. pic.twitter.com/gtzl0ROjEM
— Twins Ribbies (@TwinsRibbies) June 4, 2025
Winning Streak
After losing the first two games of May and falling to 13-20, fans were calling for Manager Rocco Baldelli to resign. However, beginning on May 3, the Twins went on a 13-game winning streak. The turnaround was powered by compelling pitching performances, especially from their starting rotation. But let’s face it, their starting rotation has been good pretty much all season long—most specifically, their trio of 29-year-olds: Pablo López, Bailey Ober, and Joe Ryan. All have ERAs under 3.50 and have provided quality starts going into at least the sixth inning.
Don’t Overlook the Bullpen
On the other hand, we cannot overlook the work put in by the bullpen. Nine bullpen arms pitched for the Twins during the streak. Those arms were brilliant during the streak with nine saves. In addition, of those nine relievers, seven did not allow a single run throughout the streak. At one point, they collectively pitched 33 straight scoreless innings.
The Offense Came Alive
The Twins’ offense also began to show signs of improvement during the streak. The hitters were patient with pitch selection, and the power followed. Byron Buxton led the way before missing time due to concussion protocol. He hit multiple home runs during the streak, including a three-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles. Harrison Bader also contributed to the offense with many clutch hits, including a pinch-hit two-run home run.
Inconspicuous Pick-Up
The Minnesota Twins are shifting their focus positively, and an inconspicuous pick-up provided a spark. Kody Clemens, a utility infielder acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in late April, has been a pleasant surprise. Since joining the Twins, he has five home runs in 26 games, helping spark the team’s offense. It’s no surprise that Clemens has become an instant fan favorite.
Return of Danny Coulombe
Another bright spot—before and during the current streak—has been pitcher Danny Coulombe, who played for the team from 2020 to 2022. Since his return, he has not allowed a run in over a year, dating back to late May 2024. He has been a super-utility bullpen arm. Pitching against left-handers and right-handers, he gets that ground ball out. In 16.2 innings, he faced one batter to close out an inning and pitched an entire inning the next day. He’s even closed some games.
That resourcefulness and effectiveness have made it easier for Baldelli to rest other bullpen arms. While Coulombe was placed on the injured list on May 18 due to a left forearm extensor strain, the hope is that he recovers without complications. His potential return is around June 9.
Danny Coulombe has not allowed a run in his last 28 games. pic.twitter.com/FPUehWRZc0
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 31, 2025
How They Continue
The Twins have some work ahead of them as they proceed. The AL Central looks to be competitive for the rest of the season. This streak has demonstrated their ability to turn things around.
The Twins’ success will depend on their ability to continue improving both their offense and defense while maintaining their health. They will also need to rely on their strong pitching staff. Keeping Buxton healthy is vital for this team to stay in the playoff race.
In addition, Correa must continue to be that veteran leader on and off the field. He needs to bring his offensive power, as he has in the past, and hit for both power and average. If they can do that while keeping themselves mentally engaged, the team should be able to parlay this streak into a run that keeps them in the playoff race and into the postseason.
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