Technically, I don't think they'll be eliminated tonight even if they lose and everyone else wins. But yes, it certainly makes an already difficult climb even steeper.
Yeah, they won't be mathematically eliminated, but down 2 with 3 to play and two teams to pass pretty much does it.
This is one of those scenarios where if you travel back in time and tell me at the start of the season the Twins wouldn't be officially eliminated until October 2nd at the earliest, I would have taken it no questions asked. Unqualified success.
But once you know how the post-All Star Break played out, and particularly the final 2 1/2 weeks of the season went, there is an inevitable feeling of disappointment creeps in.
It's a success, no doubt. Might need a week to cool down though if/when the ax finally drops on the playoff prospects.
First time in a while the offseason is going to feel really long!