Royals Sweep Twins to Boost Playoff Hopes

The Minnesota Twins are currently experiencing a challenging stretch, losing 14 of their last 20 games, including a three-game sweep by the Kansas City Royals. In this critical series, the Twins' bullpen faltered despite strong starts from Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson, leading to losses. This performance has jeopardized their playoff hopes, as they now trail the Royals by 1.5 games for the AL Central and wild-card standings. Their offensive struggles have been significant, exemplified by a 5-0 loss on Friday and a 2-0 loss on Sunday, where they failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. With 19 games left, the Twins are struggling to maintain their position in the playoff race. Meanwhile, the Royals have leveraged strong performances, including Michael Massey's home run and Cole Ragans' pitching, to secure their place in the standings.