Kansas City Royals: Fourth Postseason Picture Update

AL second wild card spot

Minnesota Twins

Overall record (through Sunday): 67-63

Last week: 4-4

This week: Off Monday; vs. Chicago White Sox (Tue.-Thu.); vs. Kansas City Royals (Fri.-Sun.)

A handful of teams will have Monday off this week, but few will relish it as much as Minnesota.

Coming off a rare eight-game week, in which all the games took place on the road, the Twins will deservedly enjoy some R&R before six games against the White Sox and Kansas City Royals this week.

The Twins will look for a bit of revenge after losing three out of five against Chicago last week. Minnesota also will hope to put even more distance between itself and Kansas City when it comes to the Wild Card standings.

The most astounding part of Minnesota’s recent run is how much of it has happened with Miguel Sano on the disabled list. After tearing the cover off the ball (or missing it entirely) for most of the season, the slugger has been on the DL for over a week now.

The Twins haven’t missed him all that much thanks to the offensive explosion that has come from Byron Buxton. Here is what the young center fielder did against Toronto on Sunday: 4 for 5 with three home runs, four runs scored and five RBI.

If Buxton continues his great play when Sano returns, Minnesota could end up pulling away from the pack to land this coveted playoff spot.