Minnesota Twins Have Shocked Everyone After 2 Weeks

(© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

The Minnesota Twins were not expected to be one of the American League’s early surprises, but two weeks into the 2026 season they have forced the league to take notice.

After a sluggish 1-4 start and three straight series losses to open the year, the Twins have completely flipped their trajectory. With Sunday’s 8-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota secured its second straight series victory and has now won six of its last seven games.

The turnaround has pushed the Twins to a 9-7 record, which is tied for the best mark in the American League. They also sit tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the AL Central, a position few expected them to occupy this early in the season.

The biggest reason for the surge has been the offense. Minnesota ranks sixth in MLB in runs scored with 79, a dramatic improvement from the inconsistency that plagued them last year.

Several players have stepped up, but none more than Josh Bell and Trevor Larnach. Bell has delivered three home runs and 12 RBIs across 15 games, providing the middle-of-the-order presence the Twins hoped for when they added him in MLB free agency this past offseason.

Larnach has been even better, posting a .273 batting average, .448 on-base percentage and .948 OPS while emerging as one of the most reliable bats in the lineup and most importantly, staying healthy.

The Twins have also received unexpected boosts from young players like Austin Martin and Triston Gray, both of whom have provided timely hitting and energy. What makes Minnesota’s offensive surge even more impressive is that it has come while Byron Buxton is struggling at the plate. If he finds his groove, the lineup could become even more dangerous.

On the pitching side, Taj Bradley has been the clear standout. The Twins have won all four games he has started, and he has posted a 1.25 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings. His early dominance has sparked conversations about whether he could become the team’s future ace.

The big question is whether this start is sustainable. There are still holes on the roster, and the Twins could easily find themselves in a position to sell at the trade deadline if things go sideways. But Derek Shelton appears to have this group believing, and the offensive firepower suggests there is at least a chance this early surge is real.

For now, the Twins have shocked everyone, and they have earned the right to see how far this momentum can take them.