How They Got There: Twins

April 13: Twins ambush Yanks The Twins won the opener thanks to a 9-first. Two days later, they had their 1st series win vs. New York since 2001

April 21: López's extension Pablo López grew up watching Johan Santana pitch -- and his own Minnesota legacy began with a 4-year, $73.5 million extension

May 29: Royce is back Royce Lewis waited 2 long years to be healthy -- and he announced his arrival with a 4-RBI game

June 13: It's Correa's time Amid a tough season, Carlos Correa brought some magic -- and his "it’s my time" celebration -- with a walk-off homer vs. Devin Williams

June 22: Ryan goes the distance Starting pitching was the story of the season -- and Joe Ryan showed that with the Twins' first shutout in 5 years

July 5: Pablo goes 9, too Pablo López showed why he started Opening Day -- and will likely start Game 1 -- with a 12-strikeout shutout of his own

July 23-24: Consecutive comebacks A lack of situational hitting hurt in the 1st half -- but 2 late comebacks in 2 days turned the narrative

Aug. 24: Jeffers does his homework Amid a breakout season, Ryan Jeffers prepared for his pinch-hit opportunity -- and in that exact situation, he delivered the game-winner

Aug. 27: Royce gets grand The legend of Royce Lewis began in earnest with a grand slam that primed the Twins to outlast the Rangers

Aug. 28: Royce does it again 2 grand slams in two games -- seriously. And believe it or not, the best was still yet to come

Sept. 4: Twins put dagger in Cleveland The Guardians needed to sweep the Twins to make it a race. Instead, the Twins scored 20 in the opener

Sept. 10: Pablo channels Johan 8 scoreless 14 strikeouts and no walks. It was the best start by a Twin since Johan Santana -- Pablo López's childhood idol

Sept. 15: 4 for Royce! Royce Lewis established a new Twins single-season record as the team pulled away in the division

Sept. 22: Pop the bubbly With a victory over the Angels, the Twins celebrated as AL Central champions for the first time since 2020