You can ask if perhaps expectations were too low to begin with. You can say the AL Central - and the American League as a whole - just isn't that good in 2026. But the fact remains, the Minnesota Twins are playing well, winning 8 of their last 9 series, and have themselves set up to spend the second half of 2026 in the playoff race.
Trevor Larnach homered and drove in two runs, Ryan Jeffers added a two-run double and the Minnesota Twins beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 Sunday to head into the All-Star break on a high, as they continue to win series after series and creep up on a .500 record. They're 48-49 and winners of seven of their last 10, and have an impressive 16-9 record over their most recent 25 games.
Twins manager Derek Shelton is still in his first season leading the team, and said after Sunday's win he's pleased with how players have settled into their roles and are succeeding on the field.
"Yeah, I think we definitely have. I mean, I think it's a situation where early in the season with the new staff, we needed to take a look at guys in certain situations in certain spots," Shelton explains. "I think we're kind of settling into where our roster is. We'll continue to look to upgrade it, but overall, we're pleased with how everybody has adjusted to the movement that we've had."
The Twins offense has been surprisingly strong so far, but baseball success always starts on the mound. Minnesota starter Taj Bradley (9-3) worked seven innings, allowing six hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts and a pair of walks as he continues to show All-Star stuff coming off a stay on the Injured List with a strained pectoral muscle.
Bradley said he's excited about the way he's throwing the ball.
"I feel like we're putting up quality starts, going deeper into the games and everything like that, giving the team a chance to win," said Bradley. "I feel like with our offense, and they're putting up numbers like that, so we just got to keep the game close enough to where when they strike hot. We're just there to secure everything."
Shelton said going into the break, the team is confident and credited some of the younger guys for stepping up.
"We've played well. I think today, Taj set the tone," Shelton said. "I think you got to give a ton of credit to Ryan Kreidler. He played really well at shortstop, a couple of really nice plays that helped us out on a deflection, the line drive. But Taj did a good job and then Mo (Andrew Morris) being able to come in and finish it off. Really good way to finish the first half."
How soon will Buxton be back?
The biggest question mark coming out of the All-Star break will be the health of Byron Buxton. He's having a career year at the plate, and was named an All-Star starter, even though he won't play in the game. In New York just over a week ago, Buxton aggravated a hip injury that had been a nuisance for the center fielder.
Shelton said Buxton shut himself down, knowing he needed to get back to 100% to help the team. But he also expressed confidence in the team around Buxton to pick up the slack, and with his leadership around younger guys.
"I think it's important," Shelton said. "I mean, the voluntary part is really right. We sat down and had a conversation, he knew what was best for him, best for us. But for the group to step up, and I think the other thing is, and I don't know how much they show it on TV, but if you watch our dugout, there's still guys going to him. Royce is going to him, Keaschall is going to him, Roden's going to him. I mean, there's conversations that are being had. And I think that's when your best players, your leader too, it really stands out."
Buxton went on the 10-day Injured List, and the team is hoping to get him back quickly post-All-Star Game. The team is off until Friday when they start a three-game set in Chicago against the Cubs who have played very well. That is followed by a four-game set in Cleveland, who the Twins are tied with in second place, behind the White Sox.
Shelton is going to the All-Star Game in Philadelphia as one of the coaches, and notes he gets some extra time with Buxton to see where his health is during the week off.
"Yeah, I'm not gonna say Friday for sure. I would say I hope within either the Chicago or Cleveland series," Shelton adds. "Let's see how he gets through the break, the rest and where he's at. I mean, fortunately, he and I are going to be together for the next two days so we can have some conversations. I can actually watch the stuff that he's doing and we'll kind of go from there."
Twins draft their catcher of the future
Minnesota took Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey third in the Major League Baseball amateur draft Saturday.
The 21-year-old Lackey didn’t receive any Division I offers until his senior year of high school and has since blossomed into one of the top catching prospects in the draft out of Georgia Tech. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder showed some versatility by also playing third base.
This is the fourth time and first since selecting Hall of Famer Joe Mauer first overall in 2001, that the Twins have selected a catcher with their first overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft (also, Mauer in 2001, Derek Parks in 1986 and Jeff Reed in 1980). This year also marks the second time in Twins history they have had the third overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft, after selecting outfielder David McCarty third overall in 1991.
Up next
It'll be 10 straight days with a game for the Twins after the break. They travel to Chicago and face the Cubs in a three-game set starting Friday. They'll follow that up with four in Cleveland, before returning home for three against The Athletics July 24-26.
Also of note, the MLB trade deadline is Monday, August 3. If the Twins can continue to win games, that will set up whether the team looks to buy - or sell. Last season, the Twins struggled mightily coming out of the break which led to a big sell-off at the deadline.
"We've played well," said Manager Derek Shelton after Sunday's win heading into the break
"We've played well," said Manager Derek Shelton after Sunday's win heading into the break
