Walker Jenkins, the Twins' top prospect, is hitting .089 in 53 plate appearances since his call-up in late August. He and manager Derek Shelton spoke Tuesday about his challenges adjusting to the big leagues and why they think better things are ahead. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, discuss Jenkins' slump, Emmanuel Rodriguez's brilliant start and more. Topics include:

— Walker Jenkins comments on his ongoing slump
— Should be worried or will he figure out another adjustment?
— Why Jenkins and the team aren't worried
— How concerning is the likely lockout for Jenkins' development
— Wheels come off for Twins in two losses to Yankees
— Twins might shut down Kaelen Culpepper after hamstring injury
— Emmanuel Rodriguez has been an absolute stud in first four games
— The Twins need a loud, enthusiastic star ... is Rodriguez it?

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With a chance to get themselves back in the wild-card chase this weekend, the Twins instead went the wrong direction, dropping two of three to the Guardians. They're now 5.5 back in the wild card and 6 back in the AL Central with just 13 games to play. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, break down the likely end of the line for their playoff hopes and more. Topics include:

— Twins' playoff hopes all but toast now
— Twins could not find that same gear from the first half
— Ryan Jeffers' blunt assessment of a bad stretch
— Joe Ryan's struggles continue in Sunday loss
— How it all came unraveled in the second half
— Ryan and Byron Buxton's situations create uncertainty
— Emmanuel Rodriguez debuts with a HR
— What we're watching for the rest of the way

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A big series with Cleveland looms this weekend, Austin Martin returns from the IL, and you had another round of Twins questions. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, talk about all of it in the latest episode. Topics include:

— A do-or-die series vs. Cleveland
— Austin Martin returns from the IL
— Why not give Matt Wallner another shot?
— Who will be gone after this season?
— What to do with Royce Lewis?
— How does pitching development work in the minors?
— Do Twins have too many inconsistent hitters?
— When will it be Emmanuel Rodriguez's turn?
— What will the Twins' outfield look like in 2027?

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The Twins lost two of three in Detroit this week and stayed 4.5 games back in the AL wild-card race with now 16 games to go. There's still a narrow path to the playoffs, but this team sure doesn't look ready to walk down it. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce, along with longtime MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey, talk about that and more. Topics include:

— At least one of us 4.3 percenters is starting to crack
— Twins "running on fumes" in the dog days of summer
— Their playoff hopes are really over now ... right?
— Searching hard for a way they can still make it
— Royce Lewis' ongoing slump is a big factor
— Joe Ryan looked better in his first start back from IL
— Kody Clemens is having a great summer
— Andrew Morris with a solid bounce-back Tuesday

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Joe Ryan is returning from the IL as the Twins face ever-dimming playoff hopes, now 4.5 games back in the American League wild-card race after losing two of three this weekend in Chicago. The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce along with former MLB pitcher Tyler Duffey talk about Ryan’s return, Walker Jenkins’ ongoing struggles at the plate and more from the weekend. Topics include:

— Joe Ryan returns from the IL and will pitch Monday
— Twins with a deflating effort in Sunday's series finale vs. White Sox
— Time to worry about the slumping Walker Jenkins?
— A very rough stretch for Andrew Morris
— Ryan Jeffers is certainly earning his offseason payday
— Are the Twins out of time to make a run?

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The Twins rallied from an early deficit Wednesday to give themselves a shot, but then squandered golden opportunities in the 8th, 10th and 11th innings in a 12-inning loss to the Tigers that cost them a chance to gain ground in the playoff race. Former Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey joins The Athletic's Dan Hayes and Zack Pierce to break down the series finale and more. Topics include:

— A blown opportunity in a winnable game
— Eighth-inning subs worked in the moment, but left the Twins thin
— The ill-fated bunt in the 10th
— Aggressive bullpen moves kept them in the game
— Kody Clemens didn't have the magic in the 11th
— Joe Ryan might be back with Twins soon
— Our thoughts on how this will all end
— Three more vs. White Sox this weekend

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The Twins obliterated the Tigers twice in a row, outscoring them 26-3 over the last two nights at Target Field to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about the highlights from the games and more. Topics include:

— On two absolute routs at Target Field
— Ryan Jeffers has a monster two games
— Twins are getting big hits in big spots again
— Walker Jenkins gets first MLB homer
— Joe Ryan makes Triple-A rehab start
— Emmanuel Rodriguez hits for cycle for Saints
— Up next, a series finale the Twins need to keep the vibes rolling

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Byron Buxton is headed back to the 10-day IL due to his lingering hip injury, and the Twins lost two of three over the weekend to the White Sox to lose ground in the AL Central and miss a chance to gain in the wild-card standings. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce break it all down. Topics include:

— Byron Buxton back to the IL
— Joe Ryan to make Triple-A start Tuesday
— Walker Jenkins looks good in debut weekend
— Zebby Matthews flirts with perfection
— Frustrating trends return in series loss to Chicago
— It won't get much easier as Tigers visit next

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It's finally happening, Twins fans. Walker Jenkins has been called up and will join the Twins this weekend for their critical series against the Chicago White Sox. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about why now was the time, what he brings to the team, what the concerns are and more. Topics include:

— How we finally ended up here.
— Why there was ultimately no reason to not do this.
— Does Kaelen Culpepper's early success help influence the Twins here?
— Why the Twins shouldn't be worried about him missing time next season if there's a lockout.
— How Jenkins rose to this point, the team's top prospect.
— How the Twins can make it as easy a transition as possible.

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The Twins dropped two out of three games in Sacramento, fading further back in the playoff race in a series they needed to go a different way. Plus, with Byron Buxton hurting and the outfield thin, the need to call up top prospect Walker Jenkins has become quite clear. Dan Hayes, Tyler Duffey and Zack Pierce talk about all that and more. Topics include:

— Was that the spiritual knockout blow for the Twins' season?
— Andrew Morris struggles in the Twins' loss Wednesday.
— Twins heading in the wrong direction in all facets.
— Byron Buxton "not where I want to be" physically.
— There's now a clear need in CF for Walker Jenkins. Is this the time?
— Your (mostly amusing) ideas to spark the Twins.
— White Sox up next with the pressure on to win or go home.

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