When baseball announced its revised playoff format for the pandemic-shortened season, it was all but expected for the Twins to gain a spot in the postseason.
By winning two of three from the Cubs, the Twins moved into the number four post in the American League playoff race. The top four teams would host a best-of-three first-round series.
The way things are set up right now, the Twins' likely opponent in that series would be--and why should this year be any different--the New York Yankees.
New York plays four on the road against the Blue Jays and a season-ending three-gamer against the Marlins in the Bronx.
After leaving Chicago, the Twins close with two against the Tigers and three against the Reds, all at Target Field.
The clincher for the Twins' second straight playoff appearance came on the strength of home runs by Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano, and Josh Donaldson, and five solid innings from starting pitcher Michael Pineda.
“It’s special in there," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said following the game. "You only get so many opportunities to earn something like that, to celebrate it. We’re going to celebrate every time we have the opportunity. The guys are ready. They’re just ready to see what comes next.
"We’re going to take tonight and have some fun, and get ready to go going forward.”
The Twins still have a shot at finishing first in the AL Central.
They trail the White Sox by three games in the standings, with the Pale Hose playing the Indians for four, then the Cubs for three.
The Twins won the division last year and are making back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2009-10.
This is the 14th time the Twins will play in the postseason, and they're looking to recapture that winning feeling.
They've been dumped from the playoffs in the first round eight straight times.
Seven of those playoff losses were to the Yankees.
They've also lost a record 16 straight postseason games, 13 of those losses coming at the hands of the Yankees.