Twin Cities Territory

The Twins begin the second half of the season tied for the American League's final wild-card spot. Can they make a surge to reach the postseason? Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce look at the biggest questions for the last 65 games. Topics include:

— Are they actually playoff contenders?
— Remembering the stifling hot 2018 series at Wrigley Field, which we were all at.
— Where do we stand on the...

With the Twins off until Friday, Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce take your questions on what it would take to keep All-Star Joe Ryan around long-term, what the clubhouse was like in the Josh Donaldson era, why exactly Tyler threw at Yermin Mercedes in a 2021 game, and more.

— Joe Ryan shines in the ASG, and welcome to the mailbag show. 
— What are the Twins going to do with all their catchers?
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The Twins won their eighth series in the last nine to head into the All-Star break tied for the last wild-card spot in the American League. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— The Twins rally to take two of three from the Angels to cap the first half.
— Twins keep coming up with wins in the rubber games.
— Assistant GM Sean Johnson'...

Tom Pohlad sure sounds like he's ready to add to, not tear down, this surprisingly competitive Twins team. Plus, the Twins win another series. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all that on the latest episode. Topics include:

— Tom Pohlad says "a $100 million payroll is not going to get the job done."
— How players in the clubhouse feel about comments like that.
— Twins are outperformi...

Taj Bradley threw seven brilliant innings, and the Twins got more timely two-out hits to beat rival Cleveland on Tuesday in the opener of a big three-game series. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— Taj Bradley's super start, "like playing a video game."
— What it feels like as a pitcher to be in the zone like Bradley.
— Two-out hits with ...

The Twins won a series at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 2014. Now they get set for a big three games against division rival Cleveland. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— Twins take 2 of 3 in New York behind timely hitting, solid pitching.
— Tyler once absolutely handcuffed the Yankees in New York.
— Joe Ryan was brilliant...

The Twins finished off a series win in Houston on Wednesday night and now head out to the Big Apple to face the dreaded (but slumping) Yankees for a weekend set. Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce talk about that and more, including:

— Twins' bats come back to life in Houston as they win Wednesday's rubber game.
— Trevor Larnach continues to rake, now hitting .291.
— Taj Bradley was electric Wednesday with 11 Ks.
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Zebby Matthews was brilliant Monday and Joe Ryan had a very rough inning Tuesday as the Twins went 1-1 in the first two of three games in Houston. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more, including:

— Joe Ryan's rough night and a very consequential ABS challenge.
— Zebby Matthews shines in Monday's win, which featured another consequential challenge attempt.
— Matthews, Connor Prieli...

It wasn't always pretty, but the Twins won the weekend series against the MLB-worst Rockies. Next up: Important road series in Houston and New York as the All-Star Break nears and the trade deadline looms. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all the latest, including: 

— Twins scrape two wins out of three games vs. the Rockies.
— Bullpen blows a 7-run lead on Friday and nearly costs them a...

The Twins were mostly competitive against the MLB's best team but lost all three games to the Dodgers. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— Takeaways from the Dodgers' sweep of the Twins.
— The bats went silent vs. mighty L.A.
— What do you do with this team at the trade deadline?
— What Marco Raya brings to the bullpen.

Twins GM Jeremy Zoll made it quite clear this week how the team feels about Byron Buxton as the trade deadline looms. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that plus the first two games of the team's series vs. the Dodgers. Topics include:

— Zoll says the team has "no plans" to deal Buxton.
— Zoll was clearly listening when Buxton made his recent strong comments about wanting to stay.
— I...

The Twins exploded for 16 runs Saturday during a series win over Arizona, capping a huge road trip. They now come home to face L.A. while sitting just a game out in the wild card and 3.5 out in the AL Central. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about the offensive surge and more. Topics include:

— Twins take two of three in Arizona to cap road trip.
— The numbers behind a huge offensive surge.
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In an exclusive with The Athletic's Dan Hayes, Byron Buxton has some thoughts about his name being attached to trade speculation. Dan, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that, the Twins' sweep of the Rangers and more on the latest show. Topics include:

— Byron Buxton makes it clear how he feels about all the trade talk.
— On why Buxton probably means it when he says he doesn't intend to leave.
— ...

The Twins got strong performances across the board in winning the first two games in Texas against the Rangers. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about the last two wins and more. Topics include:

— A strong start to the series and the Twins' first winning streak in nearly a month.
— The offense stays hot, moving up to No. 2 in the AL in runs scored.
— Their success with RISP continues to be...

Byron Buxton and Royce Lewis were a combined 13 for 22 with 4 home runs and 7 RBI as the Twins scored a back-and-forth series win over visiting St. Louis. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— A wild, entertaining series win over the Cardinals as Royce Lewis' strong play continues.
— Byron Buxton goes 8 for 12, giving the Twins a formidable pu...

The Twins' struggles continue with a series loss in Detroit. Byron Buxton is now at 20 homers and talked about his struggles with runners on base. And Royce Lewis had a promising series, with five hits. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all that and more in the latest episode. Topics include:

— Thoughts on the final two games in Detroit.
— On the Statcast era and getting data about legit home ...

The Twins dropped to a season-worst eight games under .500 with a 10-4 loss in Detroit on Tuesday. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about the game, Taj Bradley’s struggles, Byron Buxton and the persistent trade rumors and more. Plus, a clip from Foul Territory’s interview with Kody Clemens.

— Twins drop to 30-38 and the vibes aren’t great.
— Taj Bradley’s struggles continue.
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It was a rough and eventful weekend for the Twins as Royce Lewis returned to the big leagues, Byron Buxton injured himself making a catch in center field and the visiting Royals won the four-game series. Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce discuss the latest, including:

— A rough series loss that could've gone the other way.
— Byron Buxton's injury status.
— Royce Lewis' return and different looks in the field....

Pablo López gives us an update on his recovery from the UCL tear he suffered in spring training and talks about his “side quests” during rehab. Plus, Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce talk about the Twins’ series-opening loss to the Royals and more recent developments. Topics include:

— Welcome to the show, and López talks about how rehab is going.
—López on his “side quests,” including i...