For the second straight October, Twins fans won’t have to rearrange their schedules around playoff baseball. Instead of stressing over late-inning bullpen decisions or a lineup change that doesn’t make sense, Minnesotans get to sit back, relax, and decide whom they’re going to casually cheer for in the postseason. It’s a luxury, in a way. Here’s a guide to help navigate the options, while I try to sell you this bridge in Brooklyn.

Big Market, No Thank You: Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox
This is the easiest category to cross off the list. Nobody in Twins Territory is itching to see the Yankees add another banner to their overcrowded wall. That rivalry pain runs deep. From the endless playoff heartbreak to the constant national hype, Minnesota fans have seen enough pinstripes for a lifetime. 

The Dodgers and Red Sox fall into a similar boat. Both are loaded with star power, big payrolls, and national TV attention. They’ll get their shine no matter what, but they hardly represent the underdog spirit Minnesotans tend to root for. These teams are like seeing the same blockbuster sequel every October. Fans already know the plot, and it usually ends with someone else’s parade. If you’re looking for joy in October, it probably isn’t going to come from watching one of these teams steamroll the bracket.

AL Central Foes: Tigers, Guardians
There’s no good outcome here. Detroit and Cleveland face each other in the Wild Card round, which at least guarantees that one rival will be eliminated quickly. Unfortunately, the other will move on. Twins fans know these lineups all too well, and the idea of sitting through national broadcasts gushing over Spencer Torkelson or Steven Kwan is enough to make stomachs churn. 

Maybe the best advice is to root for chaos: extra-inning marathons, defensive blunders, and bullpen meltdowns. The Guardians completed a historic comeback to win the AL Central, so Twins fans can pull for the Tigers in the Wild Card round as the lesser of two evils. 

The Shrug Group: Padres, Cubs, Reds
San Diego, Chicago, and Cincinnati all fall into the “why not?” tier. The Padres have Luis Arraez, forever beloved in Minnesota for his pure hitting and infectious smile. He hasn’t been the batting champ version of himself this season, but that doesn’t mean he can’t flick a few opposite-field singles in October. The Cubs have Willi Castro, who became a surprisingly valuable utility player during his stint with the Twins, including being an All-Star last season. They also have old friends Caleb Thielbar and Taylor Rogers in their bullpen. No one in that group is likely to carry their teams, but stranger things have happened in October. Heck, Delmon Young won ALCS MVP back in 2012. The Reds snuck into the postseason and have a handful of former Twins (e.g. Emilio Pagan, Spencer Steer, Zack Littell, etc.), but none who were fan favorites during their Twins’ tenure. 

Pick Your AL Favorite: Mariners or Blue Jays
If you want a storyline that mirrors the Twins’ own struggles, the Mariners are a perfect fit. They’ve got playoff futility baked into their DNA, and their fan base knows the pain of waiting too long for postseason success. On top of that, familiar faces like Jorge Polanco and Mitch Garver are easy to root for.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, bring their own Minnesota connection. Jose Berrios, Louis Varland, and Ty France all wore a Twins uniform at one point. Sadly, Berríos’s elbow injury has sidelined him during the most critical stretch of the year, so he may only reappear if Toronto makes a deep run. Still, fans can pick their favorite alum and live vicariously through them.

Pick Your NL Favorite: Phillies or Brewers
The Phillies are practically “Twins East” at this point. Jhoan Duran, Harrison Bader, and Max Kepler are all postseason-bound, and West Fargo’s Matt Strahm adds a regional angle. The roster is stacked, but there’s enough Minnesota flavor to make it palatable, even for fans wary of another big-market contender.

The Brewers might be the other logical choice. They’re a small-market squad that continues to punch above its weight, and there’s something fun about imagining the NL Central running through Milwaukee. Of course, Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalries die hard, and for some fans, decades of Packers pain will outweigh any reason to cheer for the Brew Crew.

When a fan’s favorite team isn’t in the postseason, fandom becomes about narratives, connections, and rooting interests. Whether it’s picking the Mariners because they feel like the Twins’ baseball siblings, latching onto Arraez’s singles in San Diego, or hoping the Phillies’ collection of ex-Twins makes noise, October is still full of storylines for fans to enjoy.

Whoever you choose, remember: at least the Yankees can’t beat the Twins this October.

Which club are you hoping wins the 2026 World Series? Leave a comment and start the discussion.