Twins President on ALDS Matchup vs. Yankees: 'It's Time to Slay the Dragon'

Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter is embracing the team's American League Division Series matchup with the New York Yankees despite the Twins' lack of success against the Yankees during the playoffs.

In an interview with SKOR North, St. Peter expressed no apprehension about facing New York again in October: "We understand the history. That's my history—it isn't [manager] Rocco Baldelli's history, it certainly isn't [designated hitter] Nelson Cruz's history. So I think that'll be overblown. Organizationally, I just say it's time to slay the dragon, right?"

The Yankees have eliminated the Twins from the playoffs five times since 2003, and Minnesota has failed to win all four of its playoff series against New York.

Most recently, the Yankees beat the Twins 8-4 in the 2017 American League Wild Card Game. Both teams have made significant changes since then, however.

St. Peter acknowledged Minnesota may have some pitching deficiencies behind top starters Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi but believes New York has similar holes:

"We look forward to the challenge. I know people will look at our pitching staff and point to certain deficiencies — I mean, you frankly could argue the same thing about the Yankees. They're going to arguably go with two openers in the postseason. So it'll likely be high-scoring, particularly at Yankee Stadium. I think it'll be fun. And I think this team's offense has been not only resilient all year but it's also been pretty consistent.

"Let's go. Bring 'em on. We don't get to pick who we play. No time like the present to break that curse, so to speak."

James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka look to be New York's top two starters, while Luis Severino could play a huge role as well as the No. 3 starter after recently returning from shoulder and lat injuries that cost him most of the season.

Beyond that, the Yankees boast one of the best bullpens in MLB with Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle. That unit ranks ninth with a 4.00 ERA, while the Twins bullpen is 10th with a 4.18 ERA. The teams rank second and third in bullpen WAR, per FanGraphs.

The Yankees and Twins are arguably the two best offensive teams in baseball. New York is first in runs (938) and home runs (305) and third in batting average (.269). Minnesota is second in runs (931), homers (303) and batting average (.270).

The Twins haven't made it past the ALDS since losing to the then-Anaheim Angels in the 2002 American League Championship Series, and the Yankees have eliminated them in four of the Twins' five ALDS during that time.

If Minnesota is going to finally get over the hump, it will likely need Cruz, Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler and Miguel Sano to outslug Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu.