5 reasons the Minnesota Twins will win the wild card
They have an easy road to the finish
A reliable closer, plenty of momentum and a dangerous power hitter could be enough to carry the Twins into the playoffs. If not, a fairly easy final month of the season could be the difference between securing the final wild card spot and staying at home this October.
The Twins have six games left with the first place Kansas City Royals, the only team left on the schedule with a winning percentage above .500. The Los Angeles Angels (62-62) are the next best team the Twins will face, but have been in a free-fall as of late, going 2-9 in their past 11 games. And a total of 12 games against the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers could be a major blessing.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have winning records against just two teams that they will be facing in the final month of the season. Among those two teams is the Houston Astros, a division leader and another one of the hottest teams in baseball. Although the Rangers are 8-4 against their in-state rival this season, the Astros are one of the last teams they want to face seven times while trying to hold onto a one-game wild card lead.
The biggest factor in who wins the American League Wild Card race could easily be each team’s matchup with the toughest opponent left on their schedule.
The Astros are attempting to hold off the Rangers in the battle for the American League West, and an intense seven games can be expected between the two teams.
The Twins, on the other hand, close the season out with a three-game series with the Royals. At this point, Kansas City will likely have secured home-field advantage for the playoffs. As a result, there is a good possibility that the Royals will be resting some of their best players for this crucial season-ending series.