The Twins have had a tough go of it in the second half of the season, for a second straight year. They'll limp home finishing in fourth in the AL Central after going into the season with the eyes on the postseason.
Now the Twins will be wrapping up the season with three in Philadelphia, already the NL East champs.
If you want to pick out a major positive for the Twins in 2025, look to centerfield. Byron Buxton hit two home runs including a second-straight leadoff homer as the Twins beat the Texas Rangers 4-0 on Thursday.
"I mean, crushed both of those balls today," Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli said Thursday. "Obviously the, 3-run homer is gonna give us that pillow in the game, but he's dangerous every single at-bat. Every single at-bat, including the first at-bat."
That's now a career-high 34 home runs for Buxton in a season where he's played 124 games, the second most of his career. And that's saying something for a guy fans thought might never play in the field again thanks to a bevy of injuries.
With the flurry of trades the team made over the summer, it left Buxton as one of the few veterans present in the clubhouse. That's role he's been embracing.
"It's fun. I've been telling myself a little bit, it's a little bit of a challenge, obviously, a lot of young guys in there," Buxton said Thursdays. "But they look up to to me and some of these other guys to make sure we're doing the right things. And, for me, I just come out here and play baseball and play the game the right way and just try to lead by example."
Despite the struggles of the team, Buxton is taking pride in winning the games that they can.
"A lot of pride, you know, obviously. I know one day this is going to end, so just trying to cherish these moments with these guys as long as I can and every day, going out there trying to get a win," Buxton explains. "So winning is a very, very important thing."
Baldelli talked Thursday about Buxton having what he called an historic year.
"My guess is he's gonna get a whole bunch of MVP votes and Silver Slugger votes," Baldelli said. "We've been able to watch Buck for a long time. We know what he does and how pretty incredible it is to watch. But to also have the rest of the league and the opposing teams get a chance to see him every day and take notice of his phenomenal contributions, that makes us feel good too. Because he's another guy that's worked exceptionally hard to put this season together and and make it work. Truly excellent stuff."
Buxton's 10th leadoff home run of the season on Thursday followed his leadoff homer in a 4-2 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday. It's the second time Buxton has had back-to-back games with a leadoff homer this season, also doing it June 18-19 at Cincinnati. Buxton reached 533 plate appearances, earning a $500,000 bonus.
He also became just the second 30-20 player in Twins history. He joins Kirby Puckett as the only Twins to reach 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season.
Minnesota Twins (69-90, fourth in the AL Central) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (94-65, first in the NL East)
Philadelphia; Friday, 5:45 p.m. Pregame at 5:00 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy app (in-market restrictions apply)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Joe Ryan (13-9, 3.47 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 185 strikeouts); Phillies: Aaron Nola (4-10, 6.46 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 88 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Phillies -169, Twins +142; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the Minnesota Twins on Friday to open a three-game series.
Philadelphia has a 53-25 record at home and a 94-65 record overall. The Phillies have a 48-11 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.
Minnesota has a 69-90 record overall and a 31-47 record on the road. The Twins have gone 15-26 in games decided by one run.
The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 23 doubles, two triples and 56 home runs for the Phillies. Alec Bohm is 13 for 26 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games.
Brooks Lee has 15 doubles, a triple and 16 home runs for the Twins. Byron Buxton is 8 for 39 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Phillies: 5-5, .231 batting average, 4.40 ERA, even run differential
Twins: 4-6, .231 batting average, 4.65 ERA, outscored by eight runs
INJURIES: Phillies: Max Kepler: day-to-day (illness), Jose Alvarado: 15-Day IL (forearm), Daniel Robert: 60-Day IL (forearm), Trea Turner: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Zack Wheeler: 60-Day IL (blood clot), Jordan Romano: 15-Day IL (finger)
Twins: Luke Keaschall: 10-Day IL (thumb), Pablo Lopez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Matt Wallner: 10-Day IL (oblique), Justin Topa: 15-Day IL (oblique), Alan Roden: 60-Day IL (thumb), Anthony Misiewicz: 15-Day IL (shoulder), David Festa: 15-Day IL (shoulder)