If the Twins were producing more runs, and if their bullpen hadn't encountered so many problems, the prevailing story of their season would be the construction and success of their rotation.
Sunday, the Twins rode another quality start to a series victory, as Bailey Ober pitched six strong innings in a 6-3. 10-inning victory at Detroit.
Sonny Gray ranks third in the American League in ERA, at 2.56. Joe Ryan ranks eighth, at 2.98. Pablo López ranks sixth in innings pitched; Ryan ranks ninth.
Ober has a 2.97 ERA. Kenta Maeda returned to the rotation Friday night with five shutout innings and eight strikeouts.
Gray, Ryan, López, Ober and Maeda — that is an excellent rotation that could improve if López transitions from being a quality-start pitcher to being the ace the Twins envision him to be.
Gray and Ryan could receive consideration for the American League All-Star team along with closer Jhoan Duran, who has a 1.45 ERA after earning his 11th save Sunday.
Reliever Brock Stewart has been the Twins' most dominant pitcher, posting an ERA of 0.70.
Here is what is fascinating, and perhaps perplexing, about the Twins staff: