The culmination of a season's storylines arrives in Game 1

The course of the season, as always, results in either a postseason appearance or missing that opportunity. Much of what transpired during the season is evident based on what is seen on the field. Players that emerged during the season are in prominent spots on the roster, significant injuries mean certain players are left off. No doubt, that shows up in the Twins' roster as they take on Toronto. 

The Twins have seen three rookies make their mark on the team this season in Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner, and all three figure to be important players in the postseason for Minnesota. There were injuries to all of the most important position players this season. Carlos Correa and Lewis are going to tough out some nagging injuries. Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler have rebounded to have strong second halves of their season. Byron Buxton never was right, and finds himself sidelined. 

The biggest story in baseball over the offseason was the Carlos Correa saga. I didn't give it enough attention here when it happened, but holy smokes, what a journey that was. He ended up back in Minnesota. He's a notoriously tenacious performer in October, and now, in the first season of his new contract, he will get a chance to show that again, even after a season where he struggled. 

A little bit of every Minnesotan, I think, assumed that Correa would struggle. This is Minnesota, where big money players tend to be snakebitten. Loke at Joe Mauer, or even Buxton for proof. Correa returning wasn't as big a deal in Minnesota as it was outside of Minnesota because of Minnesota fan existential dread, in part, but also because not long after. the biggest story for Minnesotans broke.

Luis Arraez was traded to Miami for a package of players headlined by Pablo Lopez. Minnesota got off to a terrible start offensively this year, and Lopez didn't get results that fit his peripherals for a few months, and initially, the move was derided. It was hard to see the personable Arraez go. I won't relitigate the trade, but I will note that the Twins got Lopez with the intent to make him even better than he was in Miami.

Consider that a success, then. He was an All Star this season, and finished with a career high in strikeouts. Lopez was generally a reliable presence in the rotation. His strikeout rate was up, his walk rate was down, and the problems he had with production were the result of a BABIP that was about 20 points higher than his career, or the league average. Lopez has become a better version of himself in Minnesota, and as a result, he's starting Game 1 in the playoffs.

Pitching, pitching, pitching. It's all anyone has talked about this season, the season before, and every season since Johan Santana, Brad Radke and Carlos Silva were around. Now, the Twins have figured it out. That other nagging concern -- the bullpen -- has even come together, though that will need to be proven over the next several weeks. 

Everything Twins fans and observers have discussed all season is going to be front and center. Lately, these discussions have been overwhelmingly positive. Let's hope that trend continues into October.