The Twins have a 40-44 record and trail the Seattle Mariners by 3 1/2 games for the third American League Wild Card spot. Minnesota still has a chance to reclaim a wild card spot in the near future, but it must do it soon to avoid becoming trade deadline sellers.

For that to happen, two key players need to start producing more soon.

Here are 2 Twins players who need to step up soon to avoid team being trade deadline sellers

Bailey Ober

Ober had a rough outing in his first start of the season, surrendering eight runs in 2 ⅔ innings against the St. Louis Cardinals while battling an illness.

After his disastrous start against St. Louis, Ober had a strong 11-start stretch, during which he posted a 2.43 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 11 walks in 59 ⅓ innings.

But once June came around, Ober started to run into issues on the mound.

Ober’s final start in June capped off a horrific month for the Twins starting pitcher. In 5 ⅔ innings, Ober allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits and one walk as the Detroit Tigers defeated Minnesota 10-5.

In five June starts, Ober allowed 30 earned runs on 38 hits and eight walks while surrendering 14 home runs in 30 innings. Minnesota lost all five of those starts.

With Pablo López’s injury along with recent inconsistencies from starting pitchers Chris Paddack, David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson, Ober needs to start pitching how he did during his dominant 11-start stretch earlier in the season if Minnesota wants to make the playoffs.

Matt Wallner

Before Wallner suffered a hamstring injury against the Mets on April 15, he led the team in on-base (.373) and slugging (.474) percentage. But since returning from the injured list, Wallner has struggled immensely at the plate.

Wallner returned to Minnesota’s lineup on May 31. Since then, the Twins right fielder has just 14 hits, eight walks and 10 RBIs in 86 at-bats.

If the Twins are going to make the postseason, they need Wallner to start hitting at a higher level.