ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – The Twins have played only 14 games against American League Central division opponents, but that is about to change.
And division opponents might not be happy about it.
The Twins have 16 games this month within the division and enter the phase coming off a 9-7 win over Tampa Bay, a game in which they led 7-0 before the Rays scored five runs during a hair-raising seventh inning.
The Twins lead the division by 11½ games and visit Cleveland and Detroit this week.
"It feels like it's time," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "You play so many games against your division, you play all these teams, what, 19 times? It's time to start playing some of them."
The Twins took three of the four games against the Rays, have won 10 of their past 12 games and 15 of 18. Mitch Garver was activated from the injured list and made an instant impact, going 1-for-3 with an RBI while guiding Jake Odorizzi to his eighth win — one more than he had all of last season.
Meanwhile, Nelson Cruz went 1-for-3 for Class A Fort Myers during a minor league rehabilitation stint and is expected to be activated from the injured list in time to face the Indians on Tuesday. Luis Arraez was sent to Class AAA Rochester after Sunday's game.
Not only will the 40-18 Twins arrive in Cleveland with baseball's best record — reaching 40 wins faster than any team in club history — they will be as healthy as they have been all season.