Twins avoid tying dubious record with series win over Blue Jays

The Minnesota Twins pose for a photo after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 2 of the wild-card series. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Twins avoid tying dubious record with ALWC series win over Blue Jays

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/4/23

The Minnesota Twins not only won their first playoff series since 2002 after completing a two-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, but also avoided tying dubious baseball history.

Before earning a series victory 21 years in the making in front of eager Twins fans at Target Field, the franchise owned the second-longest postseason losing streak in the baseball record books. Having lost nine straight series, the Twins were only one away from tying the Chicago Cubs (1910) and Atlanta Braves (2001), who went 10 consecutive series without a victory.

The @Twins are moving on to the ALDS!

The win ends a streak of 9 straight series losses, the second longest streak ever.#MNTwins | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/wb3WFnZRWg
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) October 4, 2023

It's also the first time the Twins have clinched a playoff series at home since winning Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, per ESPN Stats and Info.
The Blue Jays and their manager, John Schneider, helped the Twins' cause in Game 2, removing starter Jose Berrios in fourth after throwing only 47 pitches. Furthermore, Berrios was cruising, striking out five without allowing a run. Four batters later, the Twins plated two runs, building a slim lead they wouldn't relinquish.

If the Jays' questionable move to take Berrios out didn't swing the momentum, a pickoff of first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from second base in the fifth inning didn't help.

What a massive pickoff by the @Twins! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/i4g9ULQmjx
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2023

All that could go wrong for the Blue Jays did. They loaded the bases with one out in the next inning, but Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar forced third baseman Matt Chapman to ground out into an inning-ending double-play, nullifying the threat. Toronto couldn't put together another threat for the rest of the game.

The Twins never trailed over two games against the Blue Jays and outscored Toronto 5-1 despite being outhit 15-13.

Now, Minnesota moves on to face the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in the American League Division Series, scheduled to kick off on Saturday, Oct. 7, time to be determined.

More must-reads: