Minnesota Twins postseason misery continues: Record losing streak reaches 15 games

Twins starter and Uber driver Randy Dobnak couldn’t stop the bleeding. 

The Yankees shelled the Twins 8-2 in Game 2 of the American League Division Series to extend Minnesota’s postseason losing streak to 15 games – a major league record. 

The Twins were tied with the Red Sox (1986-95) at 13 games before the series began and broke the record after Friday night’s 10-4 loss in Game 1.  

To make matters worse, 12 of those 15 losses have come at the hands of the Yankees, who have eliminated the Twins from the postseason four times since 2004. They are one game from eliminating the Twins a fifth time.   

The last time Minnesota won a playoff game came in the opener of the 2004 ALDS at Yankee Stadium. New York won the next three to eliminate the Twins.

It hasn’t gotten any better since. Their postseason resume since 2004: 

2004 ALDS, Yankees, lost 1-3
2006 ALDS, Athletics, lost 0-3
2009 ALDS, Yankees, lost 0-3
2010 ALDS, Yankees, lost 0-3
2017 AL wild-card, Yankees, lost 0-1
2019 ALDS, Yankees, down 0-2

Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey reacts after giving up a grand slam to Didi Gregorius. (Photo: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

The Twins are now encroaching the longest losing streak among the four major sports, currently held by the Chicago Blackhawks. 

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks 1975-79, 16

MLB: Minnesota Twins, 2004-present, 15

NBA: Detroit Pistons, 2008-present, 14

NFL: Detroit Lions, 1991-present, 9

Before the series started, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the franchise’s troubles in the Bronx or in the postseason would not burden his players. 

“I don’t think any of our guys care one bit about what has happened here previously,” he said. “And I think our guys are about as confident going into this series as you can be.”

They may be confident, but it hasn’t translated into wins.

The Twins hope to end the streak on Monday in Game 3 in Minnesota. 

The Yankees defeated the Twins 8-2 to take a 2-0 series lead in the ALDS.

The Twins are now the 2nd team across the history of MLB, NFL, NBA or NHL to lose 15 consecutive postseason games.

Over their 15-game postseason losing streak, the Twins have been outscored 95-45. pic.twitter.com/5W8q7JDkq9

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 6, 2019

Most consecutive losses in the postseason:

15* • TWINS (10/6/2004 – present)
13 • Red Sox (10/25/1986 – 10/6/95)
11 • Phillies (10/9/1915 – 10/12/76)
10 • Braves (10/6/1958 – 10/9/91)
10 • Royals (10/19/1980 – 10/9/85)

*12 losses vs NYY, 3 vs OAK https://t.co/8abmkcm9HY

— Jim Passon ?? (@PassonJim) October 6, 2019

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