AL Wild Card 2017: 5 reasons Twins will win

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Zack Granite #8 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates with teammates Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins after a 12-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN- SEPTEMBER 12: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the San Diego Padres on September 12, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Padres 16-0. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

4. Consistent contact

Avoiding the strikeout and simply putting the ball in play with some regularity is one of the biggest keys to navigating the postseason. Take away the 170 strikeouts in 111 games for Miguel Sano, and the Twins are one of the best teams in the American League at putting the ball in play. Sano’s strikeouts obviously weigh on the Twins if he is in the lineup, but the rest of the team keeps the line moving.

The Twins are fourth in the American League in on-base percentage and third in walks. That is very impressive for a young team with only three regulars over the age of 30 and an average age of 27 years old. The Kansas City Royals in their prime are a good comparison for these Twins hitters, but with better patience at the plate and more gap-to-gap power.

The Yankees built their bullpen around strikeouts, but if the Twins are able to keep it close and get to the bullpen, they will have a better chance to push across insurance runs or take a late lead. They have not been forced to trade power for contact in the slightest. This is not a team made up of household names, but they get the job done and do not give away too many empty outs.

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