Twin Cities Territory

A big series with Cleveland looms this weekend, Austin Martin returns from the IL, and you had another round of Twins questions. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, talk about all of it in the latest episode. Topics include:

— A do-or-die series vs. Cleveland
— Austin Martin returns from the IL
— Why not give Matt Wallner another shot?
— Who will b...

The Twins lost two of three in Detroit this week and stayed 4.5 games back in the AL wild-card race with now 16 games to go. There's still a narrow path to the playoffs, but this team sure doesn't look ready to walk down it. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, talk about that and more. Topics include:

— At least one of us 4.3 percenters is starting to crack
—...

Joe Ryan is returning from the IL as the Twins face ever-dimming playoff hopes, now 4.5 games back in the American League wild-card race after losing two of three this weekend in Chicago. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce along with former MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey talk about Ryan’s return, Walker Jenkins’ ongoing struggles at the plate and more from the weekend. Topics include:

— Joe Ryan returns fro...

The Twins rallied from an early deficit Wednesday to give themselves a shot, but then squandered golden opportunities in the 8th, 10th and 11th innings in a 12-inning loss to the Tigers that cost them a chance to gain ground in the playoff race. Former Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey joins The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce to break down the series finale and more. Topics include:

— A blown opportunity in a winnable g...

The Twins obliterated the Tigers twice in a row, outscoring them 26-3 over the last two nights at Target Field to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about the highlights from the games and more. Topics include:

— On two absolute routs at Target Field
— Ryan Jeffers has a monster two games
— Twins are getting big hits in big spots again
— Walker Jen...

Byron Buxton is headed back to the 10-day IL due to his lingering hip injury, and the Twins lost two of three over the weekend to the White Sox to lose ground in the AL Central and miss a chance to gain in the wild-card standings. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break it all down. Topics include:

— Byron Buxton back to the IL
— Joe Ryan to make Triple-A start Tuesday
— Walker Jenkins looks good in de...

It's finally happening, Twins fans. Walker Jenkins has been called up and will join the Twins this weekend for their critical series against the Chicago White Sox. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about why now was the time, what he brings to the team, what the concerns are and more. Topics include:

— How we finally ended up here.
— Why there was ultimately no reason to not do this.
— Does Kaele...

The Twins dropped two out of three games in Sacramento, fading further back in the playoff race in a series they needed to go a different way. Plus, with Byron Buxton hurting and the outfield thin, the need to call up top prospect Walker Jenkins has become quite clear. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all that and more. Topics include:

— Was that the spiritual knockout blow for the Twins' season?
— ...

Byron Buxton left Tuesday's game with more hip problems. His status is still unclear, but will it be the catalyst for the Twins to call up Walker Jenkins? Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more from the first two games in Sacramento. Topics include:

— Byron Buxton leaves game after re-aggravating hip injury.
— Is it now time for Walker Jenkins if Buxton needs the IL?
— Why a Jenkins...

We are completely miserable, San Diego. The Twins got swept for the second time in a week, this time at the hands of the Padres, and fell two games back in the wild card and 5.5 back in the AL Central. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break down the weekend. Topics include:

— All three games blew up spectacularly on the Twins.
— The bullpen struggled mightily on Saturday and Sunday.
— On Kael...

After a crushing sweep at the hands of the Phillies, the Twins bounced back emphatically with a sweep of their own, beating the NL-East leading Braves. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break down all the highlights. Topics include:

— A stunning sweep of one of baseball's best teams. 
— The whole Twins pitching staff shined throughout the series.
— Yoendrys Gómez nailed down all three wins.
&...

In our latest mailbag show, Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce answer your questions on the Twins' playoff hopes (still alive), Derek Shelton's job status (just fine), why Walker Jenkins hasn't been called up (there are reasons), whether the Twins will spend in the offseason (they'd better), and more. Topics include: 

— Twins get a big win in series opener vs. Atlanta.
— Do the Twins still have playoff hope...

The Twins were crushed on Saturday and lost a heartbreaker Sunday to finish off a three-game, two-state sweep at the hands of Philadelphia. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break down the weekend. Topics include: 

— Recapping a very bad weekend for the Twins.
— Was Connor Prielipp and/or Dean Kremer left in too long?
— Byron Buxton not yet back to his old self at the plate.
— Kaelen Culp...

The Twins were soundly beaten Thursday night in the Field of Dreams game, but at least we got lots of home runs into the corn. Plus, Byron Buxton returns, Alex Jackson gets DFAed and the Twins resume a tough stretch of the schedule tonight. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk it about all. Topics include:

— Dissecting a brutal Field of Dreams game.
— Twins' bad habit of giving up early runs continues.
&md...

The Twins rallied for a 7-5 win Wednesday to take the series from Baltimore. The Field of Dreams game is up next, vs. the Phillies. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce as talk about all that and more. Topics include:

— Twins' bats wake up for their first series win since July.
— Alan Roden had a big game, and why Walker Jenkins isn't likely coming for his job.
— Big hits in big spots and more hi...

Kaelen Culpepper homered in his MLB debut as the Twins won the opener in Milwaukee before their close-game woes came back in losses on Saturday and Sunday. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break down the weekend and more. Topics include:

— Takeaways from the series in Milwaukee.
— Twins go 1-5 in one-run games on the road trips and could really use Byron Buxton.
— Thoughts on Kaelen Culpepper's MLB de...

With the offense struggling and the team strained for options at shortstop, the Twins are promoting star prospect Kaelen Culpepper from Triple-A Saint Paul. Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce talk about Culpepper’s arrival and what to know. 

— Why now with Kaelen Culpepper?
— What to know about Culpepper.
— Is Walker Jenkins next?
— A tough task for Culpepper, debuting vs. Milwaukee.
— ...

Joe Ryan is being evaluated for injury after another struggle of an outing Tuesday in Kansas City. The Twins made Noah Cameron look like Cy Young once again. And Tom Pohlad speaks about the team's trade deadline and future. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all that and more. Topics include:

— Joe Ryan's injury: What's going on?
— Why the lower body is particularly troubling for a pitcher.

In the podcast version of Monday's live post-deadline show, Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce discuss all the moves the Twins made before the deadline — including the late deal for reliever Jeff Hoffman — and whether it's enough for a playoff push. Topics include:

— Twins get Jeff Hoffman from Blue Jays just before the buzzer.
— Everyone loved Tyler's shirt.
— Tyler on the Twins providing a...