First Pitch: 3:10 pm CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
I’m not really sure why I’m more optimistic right now about the 2026 Twins than I have been at any point of the season so far. My best guess is that, by all accounts, the team is not as catastrophically bad as they could be, on pace for a high-70s win total, and holding down a third-place position instead of dwelling in the cellar. Minnesota is only three games below .500 — a manageable deficit — and are actually
one of only six teams in the American League with a positive run differential (+1, but it counts.)
They have an identical record to the reigning league champions, and a better record than recent Wild Card Detroit, Wild Card hopeful Kansas City, struggling Houston, upstart Baltimore, and their current opponents in the Boston Red Sox. The prospect pipeline has also begun to kick into gear, and players are being optioned/DFA’d at a rate relatively commensurate with their on-field performance.
What’s more, the starting pitching has gotten even healthier! As of this morning, Taj Bradley has been reinstated to the active roster, and will take the ball against Boston this afternoon.
Bradley is making his first start since May 5th, a six-inning win against the Washington Nationals, with eight strikeouts. Bradley has probably been the Twins’ best starter statistically, leading the regulars in ERA+, ERA, K/9, and bWAR, among other fields. His reactivation also bumps another poor performer off the active roster, itself a net positive.
For the Red Sox, it’s old friend Jovani Moran opening the doors for what will presumably be Brayan Bello and his -1.4 bWAR. The fifth-year starter has been absolutely smacked around to start the season, posting a 7.16 ERA with what might be the worst fastball in the American League (-13 run value and league-average velo.)
The Twins go for another series win against Boston here this afternoon. GO TWINS GO!
