The Twins' Carlos Correa Celebrates Their Playoff Win - Minnesota Twins/via X
A day after the Minnesota Twins won their first playoff game since 2004, they made history again by winning their first playoff series since their second World Series title in 1991. Minnesota ousted a gutty Toronto Blue Jays team 2-0 to advance to the American League Division Series. They accomplished this milestone with some timely hitting, great glove work, and some outstanding pitching.
The 2023 Twins did not seem concerned about this so-called jinx that hung over their heads. They played with a loose confidence and a steely resolve to advance in the playoffs.
Gray and Correa Give the Twins a Boost
The Twins ace, Sonny Gray once again turned in a dominant performance. He went five innings, recording six strikeouts in completing his part of the shutout. Five relievers stepped in to hold the Blue Jays at bay for the final four innings. Closer Jhoan Duran pitched the ninth notching his second postseason save.
Duran gave manager Rocco Baldelli a scare when at the culmination of his warm-up pitches, he appeared to be suffering from a blister on his throwing hand. But trainers came out to attend to him and after a couple of scary pitches, he shut Toronto down.
And Correa provided all of the run support that Gray would need. In the fourth inning, he singled in Royce Lewis for the first run of the game. Later in the inning, Max Kepler would score on a Willi Castro fielder’s choice. The Twins have had a difficult time providing Gray with adequate run support. But today, the offense supplied everything that was needed to ensure the win.
Including Some Slight of Hand
And Gray and Correa combined on what might have been the play of the game. With two outs, and Blue Jays runners at second and third, Gray faced the ever-dangerous Bo Bichette. But he and Correa caught Vladimir Guerrero Jr. napping at second base and picked him off for the final out of the inning.
Gray has one of the best pickoff moves in the game and he and Correa expertly coordinated their actions to fool the Blue Jays first baseman. Gray would depart the game after this inning.
Toronto Gives Aid and Comfort to the Twins
The Blue Jays contributed to their loss by stranding 17 baserunners in the two-game series. And by removing starting pitcher and former Twin Jose Berrios in the fifth inning, Blues Jays manager John Schneider turned the ball over to his relief staff that could not stymie the Twins bats.
Bring on the Astros!
When the game ended, the enthusiastic Twins fans cheered and shouted with glee after this long-awaited win. The cheers were coupled with a sigh of relief that the team had finally ended their long playoff drought.
The Twins attention now turns to the Houston Astros who dispensed with the Tampa Bay Rays in their playoff series. The best of five game series starts in Houston on Saturday. The Twins hope to seize the momentum from their Wild Card Series win to catapult them to a long playoff run.
