DENVER >> Inside the clubhouse, Twins players aren’t privy to trade talks that members of the front office may be conducting. But they are aware of the fact that things could look different around the clubhouse after the July 31 trade deadline.

After dropping their first two games against the Colorado Rockies, who boast Major League Baseball’s worst record, the Twins entered Sunday five games out of a wild-card spot, needing to jump five teams to earn a playoff spot.

“We’re still going out there and trying to win baseball games,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said. “We’re not flipping the page to next year as players. We’re trying to win baseball games no matter who’s in this locker room, no matter who’s here, who gets traded away. But I think we understand the reality (that) there’s a real chance we have a different locker room in 10 days.”

Losing two games to the Rockies did nothing to help their chances and things get even tougher this week as the Twins (48-51) travel to Los Angeles to face off against the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.

After Sunday’s 7-1 win over the Rockies, just nine games remain before the trade deadline. And with the Detroit Tigers holding a sizable lead in the division, the Twins’ most likely path to the postseason would be a wild-card spot, something which is still a longshot. FanGraphs gives the Twins playoff odds of around 15%.

“In the past, we’ve been close. It’s hard because we’re so far behind the Tigers. It doesn’t feel the same as it has felt,” Jeffers said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s a four, five, six games back where you go on a week stretch and bring it back.”

The Twins have multiple directions they could go if they do decide to sell at the deadline.

They could simply try to trade away players with expiring contacts — guys like Danny Coulombe, Willi Castro, Harrison Bader and others — or they could dip into a group of players who have team control beyond 2025, which would yield a greater return.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “I know there’s a lot of talks about the team and selling part of it and all that, so I really don’t know how that works out because I’ve never been part of a team that’s trying to sell. So, it’s definitely very different. So, I would just let it play out.”

Twins prep for Jeffers’ departure for birth

Jeffers is prepared to leave the Twins on a moment’s notice with his wife, Lexi, due to give birth to the couple’s second child any day now.

Tentatively, the plan is for Jeffers stay with the Twins through their road trip with an induction scheduled for next week. But the Twins’ catcher will head home if his wife goes into labor before then.

That’s why Mickey Gasper was in the clubhouse on Sunday in Denver and will remain with the Twins in Los Angeles. Gasper is currently on the taxi squad but would be added to the roster when Jeffers goes on the paternity list, which allows him a maximum of three days off.

Festa excited to face Ohtani today

David Festa says no matter who he’s facing, he has to handle it the same way, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a little extra excitement to face off against his mound opponent today. Festa will square off against Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to pitch three innings against the Twins as he builds back from elbow surgery.

“Obviously that’s pretty cool,” Festa said. “He’s one of the best talents the game has ever seen, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Ohtani did not pitch last season but still won his third Most Valuable Player Award in four years for a season in which he became the first player ever to hit 50 home runs and record 50 stolen bases.

“If he’s not the best at both, maybe he’s top-5, but what he did last year, the 50-50 was pretty remarkable,” Festa said.