The Minnesota Twins' All-Stars return from the break, and they're in a surprising playoff chase. Byron Buxton, the center fielder, is still on the injured list, but he's making progress. The Twins are being cautious with his hip issue, but he's ramping up his baseball activities. Despite not playing in the All-Star Game, Buxton had a meaningful experience, sharing the honor with his sons, who were old enough to understand the event. The highlight for the boys was the Home Run Derby, which gave Buxton another reason to be happy about his selection. Joe Ryan, another All-Star, had a memorable experience, playing catch with Justin Verlander, a Hall of Famer. Manager Derek Shelton also had a memorable experience, walking the red carpet with his son and attending the Home Run Derby. The Twins are now in a strong position, having won eight of their final nine series before the break. They're in the American League postseason race, and the front office is considering adding to the roster before the Trade Deadline. The Twins' job is to continue playing the kind of baseball that pulled them from eight games under .500 to within one game of even. With Buxton not quite ready to join the pursuit on the field, the Twins believe they're getting closer to their goal.
