A Twins fans’ rooting guide to the 2019 MLB playoffs

In case you didn’t hear, the Twins won the AL Central! They’ll be playing the Yankees on Friday, but what about the other teams? Who should you root for? Ultimately that’s up to you, but I’ve listed all the teams here with some reasons why you should maybe root for them this playoff season.

AL East Champions: New York Yankees

Former Twins: Aaron Hicks, Kendrys Morales

Are you really rooting for the Yankees? Get out! Hicks and Morales won’t be playing, anyway.

AL Central Champions: Minnesota Twins

Former Twins: Uhh

If you are a Twins fan, root for the Twins. This is more of a joke section. Moving on.

AL West Champions: Houston Astros

Former Twins: Ryan Pressly

Pressly has found success in Houston that he couldn’t quite get in Minnesota. The Astros lost the season series against the Twins (3-4), but would still be quite a challenge should both teams advance. Pressly is their only former Twin, but there are some familiar AL Central faces here: Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Joakim Soria.

AL Wild Card #1: Oakland Athletics

Former Twins: Liam Hendriks, Robbie Grossman

Other than the Twins, obviously, this is my AL team that I’ll be rooting for. Liam Hendriks has turned himself into one of the best relievers in the game, posting a 1.80 ERA and 13.1 K/9. Grossman isn’t doing that great, but still appeared in 138 games for the Athletics and hit .240/.334/.348.

AL Wild Card #2: Tampa Bay Rays

Former Twins: Nick Anderson

Nick Anderson never appeared in a game for the Twins, but he was in their minor league system. The Twins signed him as a free agent in 2015, then traded him to the Marlins in 2018 for 3B Brian Schales.

Playoff games at Tropicana Field do not sound great, for MLB or anyone really.

NL East Champions: Atlanta Braves

Former Twins: John Ryan Murphy, Anthony Swarzak

JRM tossed 3 innings this year (for Arizona), gave up 9 runs, 10 hits, and 3 bombas. He appeared in 1 game this year for the Braves, so that’s what JRM is up to these days. He was the return for Aaron Hicks, by the way.

You may remember Swarzak for his belief in Bigfoot (Sasquatch to be exact). He’s found a way to stick in the league as a decent relief pitcher.

Sasquatch aside, the Braves are my NL team to root for. Mainly because it would be cool to see a 1991 World Series rematch, of sorts.

NL Central Champions: St. Louis Cardinals

Former Twins: Adalberto Mejia

The Cardinals have had winning seasons every year since 2007. Other than that, I don’t know too much about this team, or reasons to root for them.

NL West Champions: Los Angeles Dodgers

Former Twins: JT Chargois (minors)

The Yankees of the NL, in my mind. No former Twins on the MLB roster, so I don’t see much reason to root for them.

NL Wild Card #1: Washington Nationals

Former Twins: Brian Dozier, Kurt Suzuki, Fernando Rodney

In terms of former Twins, this is the team to root for. It’s unfortunate they couldn’t find playoff success with the Twins, but maybe together they can do it with the Nationals.

NL Wild Card #2: Milwaukee Brewers

Former Twins: Tyler Austin

A World Series against our former division rivals would be a great story. Besides, it’s fun to root for the underdog. Too bad the Nationals eliminated them last night.