Fansided

4 ways the Twins can conquer their Yankees demons

By Sean Sears

Minneapolis, MN-September 10: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) pitches in the fourth inning. (Photo by Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Minneapolis, MN-September 10: Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jose Berrios (17) pitches in the fourth inning. (Photo by Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins waits for his at bat in the 1st inning of his team’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 12-8. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 22: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Minnesota Twins waits for his at bat in the 1st inning of his team’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field on September 22, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Royals 12-8. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Nelson Cruz can mash some baseballs

The Twins veteran DH has been a home run hitting machine, leading the club with 41 dingers this season. The Twins have five players who hit 30+ home runs this season and set the MLB record this season with a 307 home runs as a club, making Minnesota one of the few teams that match New York in the power category.

Cruz is also bringing the right kind of mindset to a young ball like the Twins and when he was asked by the media about his clubs’ postseason woes against the Yankees he reminded everyone that this team is different.

With comments from Cruz already wanting to return to Minnesota for a few more seasons at age 39, it’s clear this group is special. But as one of the few regulars in the Twins lineup, Cruz may have to be the main source of run production this postseason. He’s heading into a tough match-up against Yankees’ Game 1 starter James Paxton, facing him four times with three strikeouts and a walk. And with Yankees strong bullpen Cruz and the Twins will need to take advantage of early scoring chances against the Yankees starters this series.

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