The key will be Game 2 of this best of five series. If the Twins can pull out a win in Game 2, the Twins will have done what every team hopes to do in this situation: gain home field advantage. If the Twins lose Game 2, the Twins are going to be on life support once again.
However, Game 2's haven't been so kind to the Twins. Allow me to take you back in time to look at important Game 2's in Franchise history.
October 7th, 1965: Game 2, World Series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Jim Kaat and Sandy Koufax duel at Metropolitan Stadium as the game remains scoreless into the 5th. A late error helps the Twins prevail as the Twins go on to win the game 5-1 and take a 2-0 lead in the clubs first World Series appearance. Alas, it wouldn't last as the Twins would lose the World Series in 7 games as Koufax would get his revenge and outduel Kaat in the final game.
October 5th, 1969: Minnesota Twins at Baltimore Orioles; Game 2 of ALCS
The first ever American League Championship Series was a rout, as the Twins would get swept. The Twins would look much like future generations of Twins players as they would get shut out 1-0 in Game 2 on a three-hit shutout by Dave McNally. Baltimore would crush the Twins 11-2 to capture the pennant.
October 8th, 1987: Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of ALCS
Before the Twins crushed the hearts of Tiger fans everywhere, they took care of business in 1987. The Tigers would be heavy favorites in this series, but they ran into a buzzsaw by the name of Bert Blyleven. In the game, the Twins would respond from an early 2-0 defecit thanks to back to back doubles by Gary Gaetti and Tom Brunansky. Greg Gagne would walk and Tim Laudner would drive Gagne in to take a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish. The Twins would go on to win the pennant in 5 games, and we all know what happened after that!
October 18th, 1987: St. Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of World Series
Bert Blyleven would take the hill once again, and he wouldn't dissapoint. The Twins offense wasn't disapointing either as the Twins would jump out to a 7-0 lead. The game was over before the Cardinals even got into it. The Twins would go on and win the World Series in 7 games.
October 9th, 1991: Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of ALCS
The Blue Jays defeat the Twins 5-2 behind Devon White and Roberto Alomar. This would be the only win for the Jays during the series and the Twins would go to the World Series.
October 20th, 1991: Atlanta Braves at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of World Series
Nothing special here, the Twins pick up a 3-2 victory and take a 2-0 lead in the World Series. The Twins would lose the next three games and then Kirby Puckett and Jack Morris would put the team on their back for their second World Series championship.
October 2nd, 2002: Minnesota Twins at Oakland Athletics; Game 2 of ALDS
Joe Mays gets his ass kicked. Need anything else? Oakland wins the game 9-2, but loses the series in 5 games.
October 9th, 2002: Anaheim Angels at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of ALCS
It seemed like the Twins were headed to the World Series, until the Angels jumped out to a 6-0 lead in game 2. The Twins would claw their way back, but it was too much. The Angels took control of the series with a 6-3 win, and would win the series in 5 games.
October 2nd, 2003: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees; Game 2 of ALDS
Andy Pettite and the Yankees shut down the Twins as they win the game 4-1. The Yankees would win the series in 4 games.
October 6th, 2004: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees; Game 2 of ALDS
One of the most horrific losses in Minnesota Twins history. The Twins, already up 1-0 in the series, take the lead on a Torii Hunter home run in the 12th inning. Joe Nathan was out for the previous two innings, and Ron Gardenhire decided to push him for a third. Wrong move. The Yankees would win the game with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning, and the series two games later.
October 4th, 2006: Oakland Athletics at Minnesota Twins; Game 2 of ALDS
Torii Hunter sees a ball dying in front of him. Torii goes for it. He missed. The ball rolls all the way to the wall, as does the hopes of winning the series. Mark Kotsay would get an inside the park home run on that play. The A's would win that game 5-2 en route to sweeping the Twins.
That brings us to this year. Yeah, that got a little lengthy, but some things to consider...
- The Twins are 4-7 all time in Game 2 (Postseason play)
- The Twins have lost their past 5 Game 2's
- The Twins have never won a Game 2 on the road. (0-4)
So, it appears the cards are stacked against our cute, cuddly Minnesota Twins. But that's why they play the games. Here's a look at Friday's matchup...
Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees
A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04 ERA; 2-1 [6 starts], 3.72 ERA vs. MIN in career [1 CG]) vs.
Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03 ERA; 0-1 [4 starts], 5.89 ERA vs. NYY in career)
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