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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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 30: Bartolo Colon #40 of the Minnesota Twins is relieved by manager Paul Molitor #4 during the seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on July 30, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-5 in 12 innings. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

3. The Twins are road warriors

Not much about the 2017 Twins team making the playoffs makes sense to me, least of all their winning record on the road and .500 record at home. Minnesota has been outscored at home, but has a plus run differential on the road. A mediocre pitching staff should have more success in spacious Target Field, but the Twins don’t fit any statistical model this year.

The Twins dominated their bottom-feeding divisional rivals on the road this season. In their lone trip to Yankee Stadium, they were swept without putting up much of a fight. Overall though, playing on the road has not fazed the Twins much in 2017.

Minnesota hit much worse on the road than at home this season, posting an OPS over 70 points lower away from home. Their pitching staff was almost half a run better on the road, however. As a team, the Twins hit worse at home, which makes sense given how deep the fences are in their home park. It should follow that the pitching staff would get better results at home, but go figure.

MLB teams that are able to win on the road are able to avoid falling victim to the pressure and stress of being in enemy territory. The Twins are also a young team, which may help them prepare the living out of a hotel without getting too worn down. Whatever the case may be, playing visitor has not bothered the Twins this year, and it will not hurt their chances in the Wild Card Game.

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