Twins to head to Colorado for one more series before the playoffs
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax celebrates after forcing the final out of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
Abbie Parr | AP
The Minnesota Twins played a third game against Oakland on Thursday after two wins this week. The playoffs are just around the corner, but history shows the postseason can be a struggle for this team.
To check in on the Twins and all things Minnesota sports, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson, co-hosts of the 10,000 Takes sports talk show.
Langfellow is also the creator of Minnesota Score Magazine and Nelson is the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports radio’s Eye on the NFL.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: It's Thursday, and it's time for sports with our sports guys. The Twins are playing a third game against Oakland today after two wins this week. The playoffs are just around the corner, but history shows the postseason can be a struggle for the Twins. Joining us to check in on them and all things Minnesota sports, Wally Langfellow, Eric Nelson. Wally and Eric are the co-hosts of the 10,000 Takes sports talk show. Wally is also the creator of the Minnesota Score Magazine, and Eric's the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Radio's Eye on the NFL. Hey, guys.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Well, you're being awfully kind saying it's been a struggle for the Twins in the playoffs.
ERIC NELSON: Way to drink the Kool-Aid, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: OK. Well, I'm trying to soft pedal the mess that the Twins have made in the past. So let's talk a little bit about what's happening with Oakland today. They're going to finish this three game series, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: They are. They're playing right now. They are in the top of the third. Oakland leads 1-0, Sonny Gray on the mound for the Twins. Sonny Gray will pitch Game 2 for the Twins in the playoffs next week. Pablo Lopez who pitched last night pitched pretty well last night. I was at the game last night. He will start game one, which will be on Tuesday unless some miraculous things happen here over the weekend.
In other words, the Twins win the rest, Texas and Houston lose the rest, there's a possibility that Twins could get a bye in the first round, but it's highly unlikely. They will most likely be playing on Tuesday. Now, after today's game, the Twins head to Colorado. They play the Rockies in a meaningless series this weekend. The Rockies have been out of it forever.
But the big questions, really, for the Twins focus on who is going to be able to play next week in the postseason injury wise. Rookie sensation Royce Lewis, he has been out with a hamstring injury now for the last week or so. It sounds like he is going to be ready. That one is still a little bit up in the air, but he's improving is the latest we heard last night.
Same goes for shortstop Carlos Correa. He's been out for about 10 days now. He's eligible to come off the injured list this weekend. That's still up in the air whether he will do that. However, it sounds like he will be ready for Tuesday. He has been suffering from plantar fasciitis. Rice Lewis, with that hamstring injury. Correa, with the plantar fasciitis.
And then the big question. Are they going to activate Byron Buxton? He has not played in a Major League Baseball game since August 1. He's played a couple of rehab games over in Saint Paul for the Saints, and that's been it. So do they play Byron Buxton who they paid a ton of money this year, and he was supposed to be kind of the centerpiece of their team?
I am wondering if Byron Buxton may not play for the Twins again. I just have this feeling that they're going down this path where they have to figure out life after Byron Buxton because he just can't stay on the field. We shall see.
CATHY WURZER: Now, getting back to the fact that the Twins have a dismal record in the post season, Eric.
ERIC NELSON: Yes. It is a checkered postseason history for the Minnesota Twins. They have an 18 game playoff losing streak. That is the longest in North American pro sports. I'm talking about Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NHL, and the NBA. The last time the Twins won in the postseason was 2004, so 19 years ago.
By comparison, the other losers in the postseason. Chicago Blackhawks once lost 16 straight between '75 and '79. The Detroit Pistons in the NBA have a 14 game playoff losing streak that is still intact. That goes back to 2008. The la Kings once lost 14 in a row in the National Hockey League playoffs.
The New York Knicks and Boston Red Sox, NBA and MLB respectively, had 13 game postseason losing streaks. So this is historic. It's the elephant in the room. As soon as Game 1 comes up on Tuesday, it's all the Twins are going to hear about. They're going to have to try to block out this noise from the media and the fans. But until they get this win and end this streak, it's out there. It's real.
CATHY WURZER: I did not know it was the longest losing streak in North American sports history. That's even worse than dismal. I mean, I just didn't know that. Wow. OK. Well, we'll see what happens, obviously, right? Let's talk about the Gophs. Of course, we were talking about Radio K earlier in the program, University of Minnesota. I did not know it was homecoming this weekend.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: It is. They have Louisiana-Lafayette, and they are favored to win by 11 points. But let's not forget they were an 11.5 point pick to beat Northwestern last Saturday, and they ended up blowing a 21 point fourth quarter lead. So they need this win if for no other reason to get their confidence back to get back on track because they have a very difficult schedule coming up after Saturday's game against Louisiana.
They will play Michigan here on October 7, the Saturday, and then they go to Iowa couple of weeks after that. And both of those teams are ranked. Obviously, Michigan is a top five team. Iowa has been a top 25 team this year. So we shall see, but the news that kind of has Gopher fans scratching their heads today. PJ Fleck, head coach, sounding an alarm about the future of Gopher football yesterday.
If they don't get more name, image, and likeness money to pay their best players, those players will leave after this season. And that's a big deal, Cathy, because there have been a lot of talk about, can the University of Minnesota drum up the kind of cash flow for these kids? Because that's what it's about now.
That's why Michigan is one of the top teams in the country. They've always had a good program. Now, they're a great program with that money coming in and paying their players. And that's how it is now in college sports. It's a whole different ball game right now. Here's a quote from him.
He said, "Just making sure everybody understands, our fans understand. Our best players won't be here, so we'll be a AAA ball club for everybody else. That's the reality and the truth of the situation." That's what PJ Fleck said yesterday, so take it for what it's worth.
CATHY WURZER: There you go. Vikings, Eric. Great start. Wow.
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, and let me add with the PJ thing. There are a number of Fortune 500 companies based in the Twin Cities as you know, Cathy. PJ and the Gophers need to be knocking on their door and begging for money. If they care about the U of M, they should pony up and help out in this NIL stuff because that's what's happening around the USA with other major programs.
You brought up the Vikings, and they're going to play Carolina Sunday in Charlotte. Both teams are 0 and 3. So barring a tie, somebody is going to win, and the Vikings are clearly in desperate mode. Because tonight, Detroit and Green Bay play in Wisconsin, so the winner is going to already have three wins. So Minnesota's just trying to keep the first place team in their sights.
In fact, the Vikings and Panthers are two of the league's four winless teams. Denver and Chicago are the others. And how ironic. The Broncos and Bears play this week in Chicago as well. You may remember a guy by the name of Adam Thielen.
CATHY WURZER: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: He was here in Minnesota. He's from Detroit Lakes. Well, he's in Carolina now with the Panthers, and he's their leading receiver. He has 20 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns. We are hearing different reports about who the Panthers quarterback will be. Bryce Young, their top pick out of Alabama, was injured last week against Seattle. Andy Dalton came in. You may see Dalton. You may see Young.
But whatever happens, we know the Minnesota Vikings need to come away with a win. Because if they lose and come back to the Twin Cities 0 and 4, the rumors will continue to swirl around Kirk Cousins being dealt to the New York Jets or somewhere else because that's out there in the universe now. I don't know how true it is, but 0 and 4 would not be good for the Purple Nation.
CATHY WURZER: Can you imagine the bellyaching that would-- I can't even imagine-- that would commence on social media, the sports stations? Yikes.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: More time to rake your leaves.
CATHY WURZER: Right. There you go. Oh, speaking of raking your leaves, I'm not going to be doing that. I'm going to have a bag of donuts watching marathoners go by me here on the Twin Cities marathon course. It's Sunday, but it's going to be hot out there.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yeah, it is. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures in the upper 60s in the morning. That's an 8 AM for the general start. High humidity, though. Temps in the 80s as the day goes on.
The popular Twin Cities 10 mile version starts at 7:00 AM, so it'll be a little cooler for them. Over 8,000 runners to take part in the marathon. 25,000 total, including the 10 mile version. So it should be a lot of fun on Sunday. The favorite, Dominic Ondoro of Kenya, he has won it four times.
CATHY WURZER: Wow. OK. You guys have a good weekend.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Thanks, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you.
ERIC NELSON: Talk to you soon.
CATHY WURZER: You too. Eric Nelson, Wally Langfellow, sports guys.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Well, you're being awfully kind saying it's been a struggle for the Twins in the playoffs.
ERIC NELSON: Way to drink the Kool-Aid, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: OK. Well, I'm trying to soft pedal the mess that the Twins have made in the past. So let's talk a little bit about what's happening with Oakland today. They're going to finish this three game series, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: They are. They're playing right now. They are in the top of the third. Oakland leads 1-0, Sonny Gray on the mound for the Twins. Sonny Gray will pitch Game 2 for the Twins in the playoffs next week. Pablo Lopez who pitched last night pitched pretty well last night. I was at the game last night. He will start game one, which will be on Tuesday unless some miraculous things happen here over the weekend.
In other words, the Twins win the rest, Texas and Houston lose the rest, there's a possibility that Twins could get a bye in the first round, but it's highly unlikely. They will most likely be playing on Tuesday. Now, after today's game, the Twins head to Colorado. They play the Rockies in a meaningless series this weekend. The Rockies have been out of it forever.
But the big questions, really, for the Twins focus on who is going to be able to play next week in the postseason injury wise. Rookie sensation Royce Lewis, he has been out with a hamstring injury now for the last week or so. It sounds like he is going to be ready. That one is still a little bit up in the air, but he's improving is the latest we heard last night.
Same goes for shortstop Carlos Correa. He's been out for about 10 days now. He's eligible to come off the injured list this weekend. That's still up in the air whether he will do that. However, it sounds like he will be ready for Tuesday. He has been suffering from plantar fasciitis. Rice Lewis, with that hamstring injury. Correa, with the plantar fasciitis.
And then the big question. Are they going to activate Byron Buxton? He has not played in a Major League Baseball game since August 1. He's played a couple of rehab games over in Saint Paul for the Saints, and that's been it. So do they play Byron Buxton who they paid a ton of money this year, and he was supposed to be kind of the centerpiece of their team?
I am wondering if Byron Buxton may not play for the Twins again. I just have this feeling that they're going down this path where they have to figure out life after Byron Buxton because he just can't stay on the field. We shall see.
CATHY WURZER: Now, getting back to the fact that the Twins have a dismal record in the post season, Eric.
ERIC NELSON: Yes. It is a checkered postseason history for the Minnesota Twins. They have an 18 game playoff losing streak. That is the longest in North American pro sports. I'm talking about Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NHL, and the NBA. The last time the Twins won in the postseason was 2004, so 19 years ago.
By comparison, the other losers in the postseason. Chicago Blackhawks once lost 16 straight between '75 and '79. The Detroit Pistons in the NBA have a 14 game playoff losing streak that is still intact. That goes back to 2008. The la Kings once lost 14 in a row in the National Hockey League playoffs.
The New York Knicks and Boston Red Sox, NBA and MLB respectively, had 13 game postseason losing streaks. So this is historic. It's the elephant in the room. As soon as Game 1 comes up on Tuesday, it's all the Twins are going to hear about. They're going to have to try to block out this noise from the media and the fans. But until they get this win and end this streak, it's out there. It's real.
CATHY WURZER: I did not know it was the longest losing streak in North American sports history. That's even worse than dismal. I mean, I just didn't know that. Wow. OK. Well, we'll see what happens, obviously, right? Let's talk about the Gophs. Of course, we were talking about Radio K earlier in the program, University of Minnesota. I did not know it was homecoming this weekend.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: It is. They have Louisiana-Lafayette, and they are favored to win by 11 points. But let's not forget they were an 11.5 point pick to beat Northwestern last Saturday, and they ended up blowing a 21 point fourth quarter lead. So they need this win if for no other reason to get their confidence back to get back on track because they have a very difficult schedule coming up after Saturday's game against Louisiana.
They will play Michigan here on October 7, the Saturday, and then they go to Iowa couple of weeks after that. And both of those teams are ranked. Obviously, Michigan is a top five team. Iowa has been a top 25 team this year. So we shall see, but the news that kind of has Gopher fans scratching their heads today. PJ Fleck, head coach, sounding an alarm about the future of Gopher football yesterday.
If they don't get more name, image, and likeness money to pay their best players, those players will leave after this season. And that's a big deal, Cathy, because there have been a lot of talk about, can the University of Minnesota drum up the kind of cash flow for these kids? Because that's what it's about now.
That's why Michigan is one of the top teams in the country. They've always had a good program. Now, they're a great program with that money coming in and paying their players. And that's how it is now in college sports. It's a whole different ball game right now. Here's a quote from him.
He said, "Just making sure everybody understands, our fans understand. Our best players won't be here, so we'll be a AAA ball club for everybody else. That's the reality and the truth of the situation." That's what PJ Fleck said yesterday, so take it for what it's worth.
CATHY WURZER: There you go. Vikings, Eric. Great start. Wow.
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, and let me add with the PJ thing. There are a number of Fortune 500 companies based in the Twin Cities as you know, Cathy. PJ and the Gophers need to be knocking on their door and begging for money. If they care about the U of M, they should pony up and help out in this NIL stuff because that's what's happening around the USA with other major programs.
You brought up the Vikings, and they're going to play Carolina Sunday in Charlotte. Both teams are 0 and 3. So barring a tie, somebody is going to win, and the Vikings are clearly in desperate mode. Because tonight, Detroit and Green Bay play in Wisconsin, so the winner is going to already have three wins. So Minnesota's just trying to keep the first place team in their sights.
In fact, the Vikings and Panthers are two of the league's four winless teams. Denver and Chicago are the others. And how ironic. The Broncos and Bears play this week in Chicago as well. You may remember a guy by the name of Adam Thielen.
CATHY WURZER: Yes.
ERIC NELSON: He was here in Minnesota. He's from Detroit Lakes. Well, he's in Carolina now with the Panthers, and he's their leading receiver. He has 20 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns. We are hearing different reports about who the Panthers quarterback will be. Bryce Young, their top pick out of Alabama, was injured last week against Seattle. Andy Dalton came in. You may see Dalton. You may see Young.
But whatever happens, we know the Minnesota Vikings need to come away with a win. Because if they lose and come back to the Twin Cities 0 and 4, the rumors will continue to swirl around Kirk Cousins being dealt to the New York Jets or somewhere else because that's out there in the universe now. I don't know how true it is, but 0 and 4 would not be good for the Purple Nation.
CATHY WURZER: Can you imagine the bellyaching that would-- I can't even imagine-- that would commence on social media, the sports stations? Yikes.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: More time to rake your leaves.
CATHY WURZER: Right. There you go. Oh, speaking of raking your leaves, I'm not going to be doing that. I'm going to have a bag of donuts watching marathoners go by me here on the Twin Cities marathon course. It's Sunday, but it's going to be hot out there.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yeah, it is. It's supposed to be in the mid 80s by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures in the upper 60s in the morning. That's an 8 AM for the general start. High humidity, though. Temps in the 80s as the day goes on.
The popular Twin Cities 10 mile version starts at 7:00 AM, so it'll be a little cooler for them. Over 8,000 runners to take part in the marathon. 25,000 total, including the 10 mile version. So it should be a lot of fun on Sunday. The favorite, Dominic Ondoro of Kenya, he has won it four times.
CATHY WURZER: Wow. OK. You guys have a good weekend.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Thanks, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you.
ERIC NELSON: Talk to you soon.
CATHY WURZER: You too. Eric Nelson, Wally Langfellow, sports guys.
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