Facing the Twins might be just what the Yankees ordered originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Yankees’ weekend against the Astros was another missed opportunity. They dropped two of three to the AL West leaders but were spared a standings hit when the Guardians fell to the White Sox on Sunday. For now, New York still clings to the third and final AL Wild Card spot.
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That grip is looser than it looks. Since May 29, the Yankees are 27–36 and just 2–7 in August, a skid that’s cost them their early-season cushion.
Enter the Minnesota Twins. On paper, the matchup comes at the perfect time.
The Yankees have dominated Minnesota for decades. Since 2002, they are 107–42 against the Twins, including an astounding 87–37 over the last 20 years. Even in recent seasons, that trend has held; New York has won eight of the last 10 meetings between the clubs.
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The Twins are hardly rolling.
They were major sellers before the July 31 trade deadline, parting with key veterans. Still, they’ve been scrappy in August, going 5–4, including taking two of three from the AL Central–leading Tigers. But they remain a team in transition, giving the Yankees a prime opportunity to right the ship.
For the Yankees, this series is about more than the standings. With Aaron Judge limited to DH duty and Giancarlo Stanton easing back into outfield play, the lineup needs production from everywhere. The rotation has been taxed by injuries and inconsistency, and the bullpen has shouldered a heavy workload.
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Facing a familiar opponent they’ve handled for years offers a rare chance to regain confidence. If history holds, the Yankees can use these games to stop their slide and maybe spark the kind of run World Series champion manager Joe Torre believes is still in them.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
