Things started off hot for the Twins—literally on the second pitch of the game. Byron Buxton wasted no time, launching his 23rd home run of the season off Shohei Ohtani to give the Twins an early 1-0 lead. This marked his 15th leadoff home run all-time.

Sometimes it’s not how you start, or how you finish. In baseball, the last two weeks of July can carry as much weight as any stretch of the entire calendar.