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

Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

To explore coverage, visit aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL. The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.

Subscribe to Twin Cities Territory for all of your Twins insight and in-depth analysis year round!