The team finished second in the American League Central with an 83–79 record, their best overall result since the 2010 season, which was the last year they made the playoffs.

The team remained in the running for a wild card berth in the American League playoffs until losing Game 161 (their second to last).

2.22 million fans attended Twins games at Target Field, the ninth highest total in the American League.

The season brought some "Twins' firsts" and broke or matched several longstanding club records:[2] Two Twins made the All-Star Game: relief pitcher Glen Perkins and second baseman Brian Dozier.

In the eighth inning, Dozier pinch hit and homered off Mark Melancon in his only at-bat in Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park.