The panic buttons are getting pushed all acrossMajor League Baseball. Pittsburgh Piratesmanager Derek Shelton?Fired, after a 12-26 start and six seasons where the franchise put the overmatched skipper in an untenable spot.Colorado Rockiesmanager Bud Black? Escorted intoearly retirement, after the Rockies compiled one of theworst startsin major league history and posted a casual 21-0 loss – yes, that's 21 runs, not three touchdowns. A few weeks ago, theMinnesota Twinsmight have fallen into a similar sinkhole. But after losing their first four games, 11 of their first 15 and 15 of their first 22, they are, stunningly, in the black. An eight-game winning streak sends Minnesota roaring into this week with a 21-20 record, a seven-spot gain in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. The Twins are suddenly perched just five games out in a startlingly competitive American League Central. Hot streaks are in vogue there: theKansas City Royalsjust completed a 16-2 heater to stay within hailing distance of the indomitableDetroit Tigers. A look at our updated rankings: As if the pitching concerns weren't already real, Rōki Sasaki has a 1.49 WHIP. The Griffin Canning Joyride continues – a 2.36 ERA in eight starts. Once fired Bud Black as manager, and then got him fired with a Coors Field explosion. Hamstring strain sends Casey Mize to the IL. Heliot Ramos on an 18-for-43 (.419) heater. Pete Crow-Armstrong hits his 10th home run – matching his 2024 total. Giancarlo Stanton taking batting practice in progression back from elbow malady. Bryson Stott thriving in leadoff role. Bryce Miller's ERA balloons to 5.22. Gabriel Arias' .735 OPS more than 100 points better than career mark entering year. Set a club record by giving up just four runs in four-game sweep of White Sox. Ivan Herrera returns from IL and roster has four-ish catchers on it now. Sometimes you just gottalet Raffy cook. Hunter Brown tied for major league lead with six wins, trails only Max Fried with 1.48 ERA. A four-game split with Dodgers – though they gave up 22 runs in the two Ls. Sweep in their Seattle home-away-from-home gets them back to .500. Have not been swept since uglyopening series at Yankee Stadium. Bullpen posts a 0.43 ERA during 6-0 homestand. Corey Seager's barking hamstring might put him on the IL. Real feast-or-famine vibe to this offense. Spencer Strider almost back from hamstring injury. 11-17 in their temporary Steinbrenner Field digs. Luis Severino has the Yolo County yips: His home ERA balloons to 6.75. Worst bullpen in baseball (7.13 ERA) makes team look far less competitive than it is. Have lost eight of 11 series, with two splits. Matthew Lugo gets first major league hit, homer over weekend. Sandy Alcantara loses five consecutive starts for first time in career. Affable Don Kelly wins first game as manager. Tim Elko's first major league hit a big one: Go-ahead three-run homer. They fired their manager, but troubles have only just begun. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:MLB power rankings: AL Central standings with Twins getting hot
