MLB Playoff Picture: 3 weekend storylines that could change everything

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees watches the flight of his fourth inning home run against the Minnesota Twins during game one of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins. (Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

2) Guardians vs. Twins could determine the AL Central

The AL Central is the weakest division in the sport as the Cleveland Guardians, who are in first place, are barely above .500 at 70-65. The Minnesota Twins were in first place for much of the season as they had a 5.5-game lead on May 24.

Now, the Guardians have a 1.5-game lead on the Twins and White Sox, who are tied for second place in the Central. On the season, the Twins are 5-6 against the Guardians. The last time the clubs faced each other, they faced each other in a five-game series. The Twins went 2-3. Two of the three losses were one-run losses and two of the three losses were walk off losses.

The Twins have also been in a tough stretch of games. In their last five series, they have faced the Astros, Giants, Red Sox, White Sox, and Yankees. In that span, the Twins have gone 7-9.

In their last six series, the Guardians have faced the White Sox, Padres, Mariners, Orioles, Mariners (again), and the Royals. They are 7-10 in that span so neither team is particularly hot right now.

The two clubs will see a lot of each other in the next week as next weekend (Friday through Monday), the Guardians and Twins will face each other in five more games in Cleveland.

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