Cleveland Guardians Overtake Twins in AL Central Race

The Minnesota Twins hit the All-Star break with a 47-49 record, still within reach of an AL Wild Card spot. There was real optimism in the air, at least for a little while.

But that hope didn’t last. The second half turned rough—momentum vanished, key players dropped out, and fan confidence took a nosedive.

Meanwhile, Cleveland surged right into contention. The Twins stumbled, and it was hard not to notice.

Ownership made changes. Attendance dipped to levels not seen in over two decades.

This blog digs into how Minnesota’s season slipped away, what went sideways, and just how dramatic the AL Central race got.

The Twins’ Midseason Hope and Sudden Decline

By mid-July, fans still believed the Twins could rally. The math wasn’t crazy—just a few winning streaks, maybe a smart trade or two, and avoiding those long slumps.

It could’ve kept them in the playoff chase. That was the hope, anyway.

From Contenders to Sellers

Instead, the front office made a different call. After the break, the team went **20-40**—a brutal stretch.

Management traded away **10 players**, including all of their **top five relievers**. That move screamed, “We’re done chasing October. Time to look ahead.”

It’s the kind of collapse that leaves fans stuck wondering—what if they’d just stayed competitive a little longer? For a team used to big summer crowds, the on-field nosedive hit the box office, too.

Ownership Changes and Attendance Woes

August brought a shake-up off the field. The Pohlad family, who’ve owned the team for ages, brought in two limited partnership groups while keeping most of the control.

Moves like that can be strategic, sure, but they also sparked new questions about the club’s future and spending power.

Lowest Attendance in 25 Years

With the team in freefall, fans started staying home. Attendance dropped to its lowest non-COVID level in 25 years—a tough look for any MLB team.

For a club that’s always leaned on loyal support, seeing so many empty seats felt almost worse than the standings.

AL Central Drama: Detroit’s Fall, Cleveland’s Rise

As Minnesota’s season faded, the AL Central turned upside down. Detroit looked like a lock at the break, leading the division by a comfortable margin.

But the Tigers crumbled fast. Suddenly, it was anyone’s race.

Guardians Surge Into Contention

Cleveland pounced with a **15-2** run, wiping out an **11-game deficit** in almost no time. They went into a crucial series with Detroit just a game back.

In a weird way, Cleveland’s comeback was exactly what Twins fans had pictured for their own team—except it happened in Ohio, not Minnesota.

Twins Facing a 90-Loss Reality

Heading into Tuesday’s game in Texas, the Twins sat at **67-89**. Now, they’ve got one goal left: avoid that ugly 90-loss mark.

For a team that started out with real playoff dreams, it’s not much—but sometimes pride’s all you’ve got.

Lessons From a Lost Season

Baseball’s full of collapses that force teams to rethink everything—talent pipelines, managing, trades. Minnesota’s second-half slide showed just how fast a season can unravel if you lose momentum and can’t patch the roster holes in time.

Local Sports Highlights Beyond Baseball

Of course, the Twins weren’t the only story in town. Other Minnesota teams offered brighter moments, thankfully.

• The Minnesota Lynx’s determined playoff push in the WNBA.
• The Vikings’ roster updates as the NFL season gears up.
• The Detroit Lions maintaining their strong early-season start in the NFL.

Farewell to a Veteran Voice

Longtime baseball writer Phil Miller covered his final Twins game on Sunday. Fans can look forward to hearing his reflections on decades of baseball coverage in an upcoming podcast.

It feels like the right moment to glance back at the franchise’s past, present, and whatever comes next. Minnesota baseball faces a real test as it moves toward next season.

Winning back the trust—and ticket sales—of a fan base won’t be easy. A promising season vanished in just a few weeks, leaving a sting that’s hard to shake.

Maybe Cleveland’s wild run offers a blueprint. With the right moves and a bit of momentum, even a team in trouble can flip the script in the second half.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cleveland Guardians leave the MN Twins behind in AL Central