STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Barring a late-season collapse, the 2017 Twins figure to become the most improved team in franchise history:
Largest single-season improvement, Twins history
23 wins — 1965 (from 79 to 102)
21 wins — 1991 (from 74 to 95)
21 wins — 1962 (from 70 to 91)
18 wins — 1969 (from 79 to 97)
18 wins* — 2017 (from 59 to 77)
*-15 games remain in season, entering Saturday
Still, the Twins won't approach the modern record for one-year improvement:
Largest single-season improvement (with 162-game schedule)
35 wins — 1999 Diamondbacks (from 65 to 100)
33 wins — 1989 Orioles (from 54 to 87)
31 wins — 2008 Rays (from 66 to 97)
31 wins — 1993 Giants (from 72 to 103)
29 wins — 2011 Diamondbacks (from 65 to 94)
29 wins — 2004 Tigers (from 43 to 72)
29 wins — 1991 Braves (from 65 to 94)
29 wins — 1980 Athletics (from 54 to 83)