Minnesota Twins Blog

Twins 2 Indians 8

The Minnesota Twins had a rough final two days in Chicago. They lost the series and started a huge four-game series against the Indians in Cleveland tonight. The Indians were ready from the start as Travis Bazzana lined a one-out single to right and Brayan Rocchio crushed a Joe Ryan fastball out to right for a two-run homer. Rhys Hoskins followed and knocked a sweeper out to left for a solo blast. This put the Indians up by three after an inning of play. The Twins answered in the second as Royce Lewis drew a lead-off walk and Brooks Lee lined a ball that bounced off Chase DeLauter for a triple to put the Twins on the board. Alan Roden hit a sac fly to center and Minnesota was within a run. The Indians responded in the second as Pat Bailey singled and Petey Halpin belted a Joe Ryan splitter out to right for a two-run homer. Travis Bazzana then smashed a Joe Ryan fastball out to right for a solo blast. Rhys Hoskins smacked a Joe Ryan fastball out to left in the third and the Indians lead grew to five. Petey Halpin hit another homer in the fourth as the home run derby continued in Cleveland.

-Final Thoughts-

Minnesota Twins Lineup Cleveland Indians Lineup

1.) Trevor Larnach LF 1.) Steven Kwan LF

2.) Byron Buxton CF 2.) Travis Bazzana 2B

3.) Kody Clemens 2B 3.) Chase DeLauter RF

4.) Josh Bell DH 4.) Brayan Rocchio SS

5.) Royce Lewis 1B 5.) Rhys Hoskins DH

6.) Victor Caratini C 6.) Daniel Schneemann 3B

7.) Brooks Lee 3B 7.) David Fry 1B

8.) Alan Roden RF 8.) Patrick Bailey C

9.) Ryan Kreidler SS 9.) Petey Halpin CF

SP Joe Ryan RHP SP Tanner Bibee RHP

(6-5) 2.85 ERA (3-9) 3.90 ERA

(2026 MLB Stats)

7.20.26-Joe Ryan RHP (6-5) 2.85 ERA Vs. Tanner Bibee RHP (3-9) 3.90 ERA

7.21.26-TBA Vs. Parker Messick LHP (8-5) 2.73 ERA

7.22.26-Bailey Ober RHP (7-3) 4.32 ERA Vs. Slade Cecconi RHP (4-6) 4.55 ERA

7.23.26-Taj Bradley RHP (9-4) 3.85 ERA Vs. Gavin Williams RHP (10-5) 4.00 ERA

The Twins At A Glance- The Twins took the series opener from the Cubs then lost the next two games handily. The team heads to Cleveland for an important four-game series against the Indians this week. Byron Buxton has been working out and the team might activate him during this series. Connor Prielipp struck out three in three scoreless innings for the Saints on a rehab start. It sounds like David Festa and Mick Abel are done for the season after Jeremy Zoll gave the media updates on them. Marco Raya and Cole Sands are scheduled to throw for the Saints on rehab on Tuesday. Sands should be close to being activated and the roster move in the bullpen will be interesting. Garrett Acton will throw two innings for Fort Myers on Wednesday during in rehab. It's undetermined who the Twins will start on Tuesday. Kendry Rojas threw eighteen pitches on Saturday and could be used as a bulk guy. Mike Paredes threw forty pitches on Saturday.

The Indians At A Glance- The Indians lost two of three to the Pirates over the weekend. The homestand continues against the Twins this week. Cleveland is currently one game behind the White Sox for first place in the American League Central. Steven Kwan has caught fire with a .429 average in July. Chase DeLauter has hit four homers and knocked in ten runs in July. The Indians starting staff has a 3.75 ERA, which is tenth-best in baseball. Cade Smith has given up one run over his past nine innings of work. The Cleveland bullpen has a 3.69 ERA, which is also tenth-best in MLB.

What To Watch For- The Twins are (4-2) against the Indians this year. They took two of three in Cleveland in mid-May and took two of three at Target Field before the All-Star Break. Joe Ryan is (3-5) with a 2.83 ERA in thirteen games against the Indians. Tanner Bibee is (2-0) with a 2.83 ERA in ten starts against the Twins. Parker Messick has a 2.45 ERA in two starts against the Twins. Bailey Ober is (3-3) with a 3.06 ERA in thirteen starts against the Tribe. Slade Cecconi has a 2.53 ERA in two starts facing the Twins. Taj Bradley is (2-1) with a 1.54 ERA in four starts against Cleveland. Gavin Williams is (4-3) with a 3.27 ERA in nine starts against the Twins.

Twins 1 Cubs 10 W-Imanaga (6-8) L-Matthews (4-7)

The Chicago Cubs evened up their series against the Twins yesterday at Wrigley Field. The rubber game was today on the north side of Chicago. The Cubs struck early as Seiya Suzuki lined a one-out double to left in the first. Later in the inning, Alex Bregman knocked a Zebby Matthews slider out to left for a two-run homer. The Cubs took a two-run lead after an inning of play. The Cubs added on in the second when Pedro Ramirez hit a ground-rule double. Carson Kelly singled him home and the Chicago lead grew to three. The Cubs kept on hitting in the third as they loaded up the bases. Nico Hoerner hit a flyball to center field that Luke Keaschall misplayed for a bases clearing triple. Pedro Ramirez singled home a run and Chicago led by seven. The Cubs had one more rally in the fourth when Pete Crow-Armstrong led-off with a double and Seiya Suzuki walked. Michael Busch and Alex Bergman hit run-scoring singles to left. Nico Hoerner added an RBI single to left and the Cubs had a 10-0 lead. Meanwhile Shota Imanaga threw seven shutout innings and the Twins found some offense in the eighth. Austin Martin and Ryan Jeffers singled to left and Josh Bell walked. Royce Lewis hit a sac fly to right and the Twins were on the board. Drew Pomeranz put up a zero in the ninth and the Cubs took the series from the Twins this weekend.

-Final Thoughts- Zebby Matthews got knocked around today. He went three-plus innings and gave up ten runs on nine hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Travis Adams threw three shutout innings with two strikeouts. Kody Funderburk put up a zero in the seventh and Woo-Suk Go got out of a jam in the eighth. The Twins scattered eight hits today. They hit 0-for-4 with men in scoring position and left eight men on base. The team will head to Cleveland for a huge four-game series. Joe Ryan faces Tanner Bibee in Game 1 tomorrow night.

Minnesota Twins Lineup Chicago Cubs Lineup

1.) Austin Martin LF 1.) Pete Crow-Armstrong CF

2.) Ryan Jeffers C 2.) Seiya Suzuki RF

3.) Josh Bell DH 3.) Michael Busch 1B

4.) Royce Lewis 2B 4.) Alex Bregman 3B

5.) Victor Caratini 1B 5.) Ian Happ LF

6.) Kody Clemens RF 6.) Nico Hoerner 2B

7.) Luke Keaschall CF 7.) Pedro Ramirez DH

8.) Brooks Lee 3B 8.) Carson Kelly C

9.) Ryan Kreidler SS 9.) Dansby Swanson SS

SP Zebby Matthews RHP SP Shota Imanaga LHP

(4-6) 4.57 ERA (5-8) 4.17 ERA

(2026 MLB Stats)

Twins 2 Cubs 6 W-Boyd (6-1) L-Bradley (9-4)

The Minnesota Twins took the series opener from the Cubs last night to start the second half. The second game was this afternoon at a warm Wrigley Field. The Cubs struck first in the first when Michael Busch smacked a Taj Bradley fastball out to right for a solo homer. The Twins would answer in the second when Kody Clemens belted a Matt Boyd fastball out to right for a solo shot to even the game at one. The Cubs would rally in the second as Nico Hoerner singled and Pedro Ramirez walked. Miguel Amaya doubled home a pair to put Chicago up by two after two innings of play. The Cubs added on in the third as Seiya Suzuki led-off with a walk. Ian Happ drew a two-out walk and Nico Hoerner singled home a run. Pedro Ramirez hit a ground-rule double to plate another run and the Cubs led 5-1 after three frames. Both starters settled down in the middle innings and it was up to the bullpens. Kody Clemens hammered a Caleb Thielbar sweeper out to right for a solo homer to pull the Twins within three. The Cubs got that run back in the seventh as Michael Busch led-off with a walk and Nico Hoerner singled. Pedro Ramirez hit an RBI single to right to put the Cubs up by four. Trent Thornton threw a scoreless eighth and Jacob Webb got out of trouble in the ninth to pick up the save. The Cubs evened the series at a game apiece today at home.

-Final Thoughts- Taj Bradley got knocked around today. He went five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Mike Paredes gave up a run over two innings with two strikeouts. Kendry Rojas had a scoreless eighth. Kody Clemens had a pair of homers to lead the offense. The Twins hit 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base. Tomorrow, Zebby Matthews faces Shota Imanaga in the series finale.

Minnesota Twins Lineup Chicago Cubs Lineup

1.) Austin Martin RF 1.) Pete Crow-Armstrong CF

2.) Ryan Jeffers DH 2.) Seiya Suzuki RF

3.) Josh Bell 1B 3.) Michael Busch 1B

4.) Victor Caratini C 4.) Alex Bregman 3B

5.) Brooks Lee 3B 5.) Ian Happ LF

6.) Kody Clemens 2B 6.) Nico Hoerner 2B

7.) Ryan Kreidler SS 7.) Pedro Ramirez DH

8.) Luke Keaschall CF 8.) Dansby Swanson SS

9.) Trevor Larnach LF 9.) Miguel Amaya C

SP Taj Bradley RHP SP Matt Boyd LHP

(9-3) 3.59 ERA (5-1) 4.50 ERA

(2026 MLB Stats)

Twins 5 Cubs 2 W-Ober (7-3) L-Rea (7-6) SV-Gomez (12)

The Minnesota Twins opened up the second half of the season tonight and did so in terrific fashion against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Cubs were ready from the start as Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki led-off the first with singles. Michael Busch hit a run-scoring single to right to put the Cubs on the board first. The Twins got to work in the third as Luke Keaschall led-off with a base hit and Trevor Larnach singled to left to plate a run. Ryan Jeffers then belted a Collin Rea sweeper out to left for a three-run homer. This put the Twins up by three after three innings. The Cubs inched closer in the fifth when Seiya Suzuki led-off with a double. Bailey Ober exited the game and Tommy Nance walked Alex Bregman. A Tommy Nance wild pitch plated a run and Chicago was within a pair. The Twins got that run back in the seventh as Austin Martin drew a lead-off walk and stole second base. Luke Keaschall walked and Ryan Kreidler singled home a run. The Twins were back up by three and the bullpen did the rest. Andrew Morris had a 1-2-3 eighth and Yoendrys Gomez had a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.

-Final Thoughts- Bailey Ober continually got out of trouble tonight. He went 5 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. Tommy Nance got four big outs and Taylor Rogers got out of the seventh. Andrew Morris had a perfect eighth and Yoendrys Gomez had a clean ninth for the save. Luke Keaschall had two hits to lead the offense. The Twins hit 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base. Tomorrow, Taj Bradley will face Matt Boyd in Game 2.

Minnesota Twins Lineup Chicago Cubs Lineup

1.) Trevor Larnach LF 1.) Pete Crow-Armstrong CF

2.) Ryan Jeffers C 2.) Seiya Suzuki RF

3.) Josh Bell DH 3.) Michael Busch 1B

4.) Kody Clemens 2B 4.) Alex Bregman 3B

5.) Royce Lewis 1B 5.) Ian Happ LF

6.) Brooks Lee 3B 6.) Nico Hoerner 2B

7.) Alan Roden RF 7.) Michael Conforto DH

8.) Luke Keaschall CF 8.) Carson Kelly C

9.) Tristan Gray SS 9.) Dansby Swanson SS

SP Bailey Ober RHP SP Collin Rea RHP

(6-3) 4.40 ERA (7-5) 4.75 ERA

(2026 MLB Stats)

7.17.26-Bailey Ober RHP (6-3) 4.40 ERA Vs. Collin Rea RHP (7-5) 4.75 ERA

7.18.26-Taj Bradley RHP (9-3) 3.59 ERA Vs. Matt Boyd LHP (5-1) 4.50 ERA

7.19.26-Zebby Matthew RHP (4-6) 4.57 ERA Vs. Shota Imanaga LHP (5-8) 4.17 ERA

The Twins At A Glance- The Twins won their last five series of the first half and are in the thick of the American League Wild-Card race. They head out on the road for an important week in Chicago and Cleveland. Joe Ryan threw an inning in the All-Star Game and struck out two. Byron Buxton went and didn't play due to his hip injury. Derek Shelton was a coach on John Scheider's staff. Garrett Acton gave up three runs in 2/3 of an inning in the Florida Complex League on Tuesday. The Twins claimed Jack Anderson off waivers from the Red Sox. Anthony Banda was put on the 60-day injured list after having surger on his left lat. Josh Bell and Kody Clemens each have three homers in July. Andrew Morris hasn't allowed a run over his past seventeen innings. Cole Sands is on a rehab assignment as he works his way back. Yoendrys Gomez got some much needed rest at the end of the first half. He has a 1.71 ERA in thirty games since joining the Twins.

The Cubs At A Glance- The Cubs ended the first half on a hot streak. They finished (14-5) in their last ninteen games and sit five games behind the Brewers for first place in the National League Central. Pete Crow-Armstrong had a solid first half with a .291 average and twenty-one homers. Dansby Swanson added fifty-eight RBI, but only hit .211 in the first half. Seiya Suzuki had fifteen homers and forty-eight RBI. Jameson Taillon made a rehab start against the Saints last Saturday as he works his way back. Matt Shaw has a hand injury and might be back right after the break. Daniel Palencia has had a few injuries and is out with an elbow injury. The Cubs starting staff has a 4.52 ERA, which is eight-worst in baseball. The Cubs bullpen is in the middle of MLB with a 4.09 ERA. Caleb Thielbar has a 4.23 ERA in 27 2/3 innings. The closer role has been by committee. Jacob Webb has five saves and a 3.05 ERA.

What To Watch For- The Cubs are (24-22) all-time against the Twins. The Twins took two of three from the Cubs last July at Target Field. The Cubs took two of three from the Twins in 2024 at Wrigley Field. That series was the start of the slump for the Twins as Joe Ryan got hurt in the final game and the team tail spun out of the playoffs. The Twins are (9-14) all-time at Wrigley Field. Bailey Ober and Zebby Matthews have never faced the Cubs before. Collin Rea is (1-1) with a 3.75 ERA in two starts against the Twins. Taj Bradley is (1-1) and has not allowed an earned run in 12 2/3 innings against the Cubs. Alex Bregman has two career homers off Taj before. Matt Boyd is (9-8) with a 4.67 ERA in twenty-four starts against the Twins. Shota Imanaga has a 2.77 ERA in two starts against the Twins.

American 4 National 0 W-Cease L-Sanchez

The MLB All-Star Game felt different with Aaron Judge, Byron Buxton, and Shohei Ohtani out with injuries. The American League was ready from the start as they loaded up the bases. Cody Bellinger singled home a pair and Ben Rice singled in another run as the AL led by three before the NL grabbed a bat. Pitching dominated for a huge chunk of the night as hitters struggled with high velocity. The American League padded their lead in the eighth as Miguel Vargas crushed a Justin Wrobleski slider out to left for a solo homer. The American League bullpen was great tonight with eight shutout innings. Louie Varland threw a scoreless eighth and Aroldis Chapman retired two men. Bryan Baker got Sal Stewart to groundout to end the game and the American League picked up the win tonight.

-Final Thoughts- Joe Ryan threw a scoreless fourth with two strikeouts. He gave up a single to Juan Soto then retired the next three batters. Louie Varland put up a zero in the eighth. Jhoan Duran got the final two outs of the ninth for the National League. Luis Arraez struck out in his lone at-bat. It looked like offense was going to dominate early, but the pitching has continued to stand up in the last few All-Star Games. The Twins return from the break at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on Friday night.

American League Lineup National League Lineup

1.) Mike Trout CF 1.) Kyle Schwarber DH

2.) Yordan Alvarez DH 2.) Juan Soto LF

3.) Shea Langeliers C 3.) Freddie Freeman 1B

4.) Junior Caminero 3B 4.) CJ Abrams SS

5.) Bobby Witt SS 5.) Max Muncy 3B

6.) Cody Bellinger RF 6.) Ozzie Albies 2B

7.) Ben Rice 1B 7.) Brandon Marsh RF

8.) Riley Greene LF 8.) Andy Pages CF

9.) Ernie Clement 2B 9.) Drake Badlwin C

SP Dylan Cease RHP SP Cristopher Sanchez LHP

(6-4) 2.56 ERA (11-4) 2.62 ERA

(2026 MLB Stats)

Angels 2 Twins 4 W-Bradley (9-3) L-Soriano (8-6) SV-Morris (3)

The Minnesota Twins are closing out the first half strong having won four straight series. They looked to take the series from the Angels this afternoon. The Angels struck first in the second when Josh Lowe crushed a Taj Bradley slider out to right for a solo homer. Anaheim had a one-run lead after two innings of play. The Twins would rally in the third as Luke Keaschall and Ryan Kreidler singled. Trevor Larnach singled home a run to even the game at one. Ryan Jeffers knocked in a pair with a double to left and the Twins took a 3-1 lead after three frames. Taj Bradley ran with it through seven solid innings. He had a hiccup in the seventh when Denzer Guzman belted a cutter out to left for a solo homer. The Halos were within a run and the Twins got a key insurance in the eighth as Trevor Larnach blasted a Ryan Zerferjahn sweeper out to right for a solo homer. The two-run lead was good enough for Andrew Morris, who threw two scoreless innings to close out the win tonight.

-Final Thoughts- Taj Bradley was great again today. He went seven innings and allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Andrew Morris fanned two over two scoreless innings for the save. Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall had two hits each. The Twins hit 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left three men on base. Byron Buxton won't play in the All-Star Game and Joe Ryan might get an inning in relief. The All-Star Game is Tuesday night with Dylan Cease facing Cristopher Sanchez in Philadelphia.