{"id":177863,"date":"2026-04-18T12:01:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863"},"modified":"2026-04-18T12:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:01:32","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-pressure-is-building-in-minnesota-the-minnesota-twins-need-answers-fast-big-names-like-carlos-correa-byron-buxton-and-max-kepler-havent-hit-their-stride-and","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Minnesota Twins Stay Hot in 2026 Despite Key Players Underperforming<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Mar<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Twins<\/span><\/span> are off to an impressive start in the 2026 MLB season, defying preseason expectations and quickly emerging as one of the most exciting teams in the American League. After winning eight of their last ten games, Minnesota holds an 11\u20138 record\u2014good for first place in the AL Central and second-best in the American League, trailing only the Tampa Bay Rays<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

What makes this surge even more intriguing is that the Twins are thriving despite several key players struggling significantly<\/strong>. While contributions from across the roster have fueled their early success, there are clear weak points that could become major concerns if not addressed soon.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a closer look at three underperforming players who need to turn things around\u2014and why their improvement could define Minnesota\u2019s season.<\/p>\n

\n

RF Matt Wallner<\/span><\/span>: Struggles on Both Sides of the Ball<\/h2>\n

No player on the Twins roster has faced more early-season difficulties than Matt Wallner<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Through the first stretch of the season, Wallner is slashing:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • .191 batting average<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • .276 on-base percentage<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • .353 slugging percentage<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • 78 OPS+<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Even more concerning, he leads all of Major League Baseball with 32 strikeouts<\/strong>, highlighting serious issues with contact and plate discipline.<\/p>\n

    Defensive Concerns Add Pressure<\/h3>\n

    Wallner\u2019s struggles aren\u2019t limited to offense. He currently ranks last in MLB with -5 Defensive Runs Saved<\/strong>, making him a liability in the field as well.<\/p>\n

    Why This Matters<\/h3>\n

    Wallner has shown real upside in the past. With a career .814 OPS and 54 home runs in 291 games<\/strong>, he has proven he can be a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat. But right now, he\u2019s far from that version of himself.<\/p>\n

    Roster Pressure Is Mounting<\/h3>\n

    The Twins have depth\u2014and it\u2019s knocking on the door:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Outfielder Alan Roden<\/strong> is producing at Triple-A<\/li>\n
    • Top prospects Walker Jenkins<\/strong> and Emmanuel Rodr\u00edguez<\/strong> are nearing MLB readiness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      With one minor-league option remaining, Wallner could be sent down if his performance doesn\u2019t improve quickly. Simply put, his roster spot is no longer secure.<\/p>\n

      \n

      2B Luke Keaschall<\/span><\/span>: Slow Start After Breakout Rookie Year<\/h2>\n

      After an impressive rookie campaign, expectations were high for Luke Keaschall<\/span><\/span> entering 2026. However, his early performance has been underwhelming.<\/p>\n

      Current slash line:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • .222\/.278\/.292<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • 62 OPS+<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        This is a significant drop from his rookie numbers:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • .302\/.382\/.445<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • 129 OPS+<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Why the Twins Need Him<\/h3>\n

          Despite the slow start, Keaschall is widely viewed as one of the Twins\u2019 most important offensive pieces\u2014arguably second only to Byron Buxton<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

          While the team currently ranks fourth in the AL in OPS (.732), some of that production may not be sustainable. If regression hits other hitters, Keaschall\u2019s bat becomes even more critical.<\/p>\n

          Underlying Metrics Offer Hope<\/h3>\n

          There\u2019s reason for optimism. His advanced metrics suggest he\u2019s hitting better than results indicate:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • 28.2% squared-up rate (76th percentile)<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • 22.9% chase rate (83rd percentile)<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • 13% whiff rate (97th percentile)<\/strong><\/li>\n
          • 13.9% strikeout rate (solid control)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Additionally, he has shown signs of life recently, collecting five hits in his last 15 at-bats<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            Outlook<\/h3>\n

            Keaschall\u2019s struggles appear more like a timing issue than a fundamental flaw. If his underlying metrics translate into results, a breakout stretch could be imminent.<\/p>\n

            \n

            RHP Cole Sands<\/span><\/span>: Bullpen Struggles Continue<\/h2>\n

            The Twins\u2019 biggest weakness so far in 2026 has been their bullpen\u2014and Cole Sands<\/span><\/span> has been part of that problem.<\/p>\n

            Minnesota relievers currently rank:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • 23rd in MLB with a 5.00 ERA<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Among relievers with at least six appearances, Sands has one of the highest ERAs on the team at 4.26<\/strong>, trailing only Anthony Banda<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

              Performance Snapshot<\/h3>\n

              In 6 1\/3 innings, Sands has:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Allowed 7 hits and 3 walks<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Recorded 5 strikeouts<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Given up at least one baserunner in every appearance<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                That lack of consistency has made him unreliable in key situations.<\/p>\n

                Why It\u2019s Urgent<\/h3>\n

                Bullpen instability can quickly derail a strong start. Even with solid starting pitching and offensive production, late-game struggles can turn wins into losses.<\/p>\n

                The Twins need Sands to:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Limit baserunners<\/li>\n
                • Improve command<\/li>\n
                • Deliver clean innings in middle relief<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  Bigger Picture: Winning Despite Imperfections<\/h2>\n

                  What\u2019s most impressive about the Minnesota Twins<\/span><\/span> right now is their ability to win despite these issues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

                  Their success has been driven by:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Timely hitting<\/li>\n
                  • Strong performances from other key players<\/li>\n
                  • Momentum and confidence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    However, sustaining that success over a full season will require more balance.<\/p>\n

                    \n

                    What Needs to Happen Next<\/h2>\n

                    For the Twins to remain contenders in the AL Central\u2014and potentially make a playoff push\u2014they\u2019ll need improvement from these struggling players:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Wallner<\/strong> must reduce strikeouts and improve defensively<\/li>\n
                    • Keaschall<\/strong> needs to convert strong metrics into real production<\/li>\n
                    • Sands<\/strong> must stabilize his performance in the bullpen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      If even two of these three players turn things around, Minnesota\u2019s ceiling rises significantly.<\/p>\n

                      \n

                      Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

                      Early-season success is encouraging, but it often masks underlying issues. The Minnesota Twins<\/span><\/span> have proven they can win\u2014but the next step is sustaining that level over 162 games.<\/p>\n

                      Right now, they\u2019re hot.<\/p>\n

                      But if these struggling players find their form, they won\u2019t just be hot\u2014they\u2019ll be dangerous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

                      <\/div>\n
                      \n
                      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
                      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      Minnesota Twins Stay Hot in 2026 Despite Key Players Underperforming The Minnesota Twins are off to an impressive start in the 2026 MLB season, defying preseason expectations… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":177864,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-177863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Minnesota Twins Stay Hot in 2026 Despite Key Players Underperforming The Minnesota Twins are off to an impressive start in the 2026 MLB season, defying preseason expectations...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MsThao\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg\",\"width\":1500,\"height\":1000},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731\",\"name\":\"MsThao\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MsThao\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA","og_description":"Minnesota Twins Stay Hot in 2026 Despite Key Players Underperforming The Minnesota Twins are off to an impressive start in the 2026 MLB season, defying preseason expectations...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1500,"height":1000,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"MsThao","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MsThao","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863","name":"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25 - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-18T12:01:32+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2-16.jpg","width":1500,"height":1000},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177863#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udea8 Pressure is building in Minnesota\u2026 the Minnesota Twins need answers fast. Big names like Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler haven\u2019t hit their stride\u2014and time is running out. If these stars don\u2019t turn it around soon, the season could start slipping away. \u23f3\ud83d\udd25"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/73dec88841ffe3be696a72d46df40731","name":"MsThao","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/23335ad696d6700b03ba8d09f84a67eadb58cde164fc044a22845ec8be19771f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MsThao"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=3"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=177863"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":177865,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177863\/revisions\/177865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/177864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=177863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=177863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=177863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}