News Twins Team Notes

[Minnesota Twins]

Twins 0, White Sox 9: Times are Tough

Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Brighter days are ahead, I hope.

That game can be summed up in three words: Hard to watch.

The Twins were no-hit into the 7th inning. On top of that the score was 9-0 in the third, and Willi Castro came into pitch because the Twins were getting blown out, yes, to the White Sox.

If some haven’t purchased the new Twins.TV package yet, fans just might not after this season-opening performance.

Monday against the White Sox started as a punch to the gut, first an Andrew Vaughn three-run home run to left center, then a bases loaded sac fly followed by an Andrew Benintendi three-run shot in the 2nd. White Sox took an early 7-0 lead and never looked back. This all while the windy city was working with a wind chill of 34° F.

Chris Paddack made his first start for the Twins on Monday, opening a three-game series against the White Sox. Through three and one-third innings he gave up three home runs, nine earned runs, and walked four to accumulate an ERA of 27. He finished with 89 pitches.

On the other side of things, familiar face, Martín Pérez got the best of the Twins. The former Twin pitched shutout baseball giving up no hits in six innings. He left the game with 93 pitches, 54 strikes.

It’s hard to understand how a team can look so deflated to start the season. We know there are injuries and illnesses, but that doesn’t explain enough. The pitching is not there. The hitting is not there, and the competition is not top-tier. The Cardinals and White Sox have torn the Twins pitching to shreds.

In the third inning Michael A. Taylor hit a home run to straight away center. The problem is, he doesn’t play for the Twins anymore, but for the White Sox.

The White Sox don't need those damn torpedo bats! Michael A Taylor rips the 3rd home run of the game for the Sox!

They scored NINE (9!) runs in 3 innings!pic.twitter.com/JrCALxREtY

— Just Another Year: White Sox (@JAYChi_WhiteSox) March 31, 2025​

Baldelli pulled Correa and Buxton early once the game was out of hand. Edouard Julien pinch hit for Byron Buxton and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. for Carlos Correa in the fourth.

A positive for the Twins: Willi Castro. In 13 ABs Castro has 5 hits, one home run and broke up the no-hitter today.

The questions now are:

1. How can a team start the season so lifeless?
2. Will Rocco Baldelli make it to the Twins home opener without being fired?
3. When will the Twins win a game?

The worst start for the Minnesota Twins was in 2016 when the team began the season 0-9. While we aren’t there yet, this start has that feel. That was an atrocious season for the Twins, finishing last in the American League Central with a record of 59-103.

The season is young. The Twins are playing last year’s worst team in baseball. There is promise ahead.

Looking to Tuesday, Simeon Woods Richardson will take the mound against Shane Smith. Wednesday, Pablo will get another shot at up against Sean Burke, and the home opener will be Joe Ryan’s day.

Brighter days ahead. Go Twins.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/31/24398097/twins-0-white-sox-9-times-are-tough

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Game 4: Twins at White Sox

Jeff Curry-Images

Buxton leads off with hopes of leading the Twins to first win of season

Twins (0-3) vs White Sox (1-2)

Chris Paddack vs Martín Pérez

First Pitch: 1:10 p.m.

TV: Twins.TV

Radio: TIBN

Competitor’s Site: South Side Sox

Alright, let’s get all the negativity out of the way right away. A sickly Bailey Ober, he was actually ill, plus a weak offensive approach left us all with a bad taste in our mouths to wrap up opening weekend. I was delighted to be there in St. Louis for it all, but the season is young and optimism will take us forward.

And no, torpedo bats aren’t the answer, or maybe they are? There seem to be mixed opinions on that. Was Jeffers using one?

Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is using the torpedo bat today pic.twitter.com/c88eYn4UcS

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 30, 2025​

Either way, still have to make contact in the sweet spot.

The Twins open a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox on Monday. After being outscored 19-6 by the Cardinals, it’s time to put some runs on the board. That may start with a revamped lineup. Buxton and Correa are batting 1 and 2 in game one. The two combined for one hit, an RBI single by Buxton in the St. Louis series. Here’s a look at the order today...

Twins lineup:

1. Byron Buxton (R) CF

2. Carlos Correa (R) SS

3. Ryan Jeffers (R) DH

4. Ty France (R) 1B

5. Jose Miranda (R) 3B

6. Mickey Gasper (S) 2B

7. Willi Castro (S) LF

8. Harrison Bader (R) RF

9. Christian Vázquez (R) C

A MAT (Michael A. Taylor) return to the AL Central.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Chicago Lineup:

1. Miguel Vargas (R) 3B

2 Luis Robert Jr. (R) CF

3. Andrew Benintendi (L) DH

4. Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B

5. Matt Thaiss (L) C

6. Lenyn Sosa (R) 2B

7. Travis Jankowski (L) RF

8. Michael A. Taylor (R) LF

9. Jacob Amaya (R) SS

Chris Paddack is on the mound Monday with his first start of the season after going 5-3 last year with a 4.99 ERA. Last April he had major success against the Sox with 10 K in 7 scoreless innings.

LHP veteran Martín Pérez is getting the start for the White Sox after signing a $5 million one-year contract this offseason. If you can’t place where you have seen him, he’s been all over the league in his 14-year career, including of course, Minnesota in 2019. I’d like to direct your attention to this fine piece of journalism.

TwinkieTown: The Martín Pérez experiment is paying off

He also won a World Series ring with the Rangers. As for the rest of the White Sox the team is looking to rebound from its 41-121 season. The Sox did some work this off-season, as it can only go up from here, one would hope.

Offseason acquisitions: LHP Martín Pérez, RHP Bryse Wilson, LHP Tyler Gilbert, OF Michael A. Taylor, Mike Tauchman, OF Austin Slater, 3B Josh Rojas, C Matt Thaiss

And finally, I was in St. Louis over the weekend for the series, and I do have to say, everytime I go to that ballpark I am more amazed with its beauty. Though I was shocked to see all the empty not seats, but full sections of seats, on opening weekend. I know the Cards have been down, but I was surprised there weren’t more fans there to support. It was a beautiful weekend filled with awesome hospitality and sympathy by the competition, plus some crazy Sunday storms that interrupted the game. Only for me to get back home to Minnesota to snow..

Here are my top 5 things to keep in mind if you ever want to go to St. Louis for a game:

1. Go early and check out the stadium, there are good happy hour options in the Budweiser Terrace before games.

2. There are my spots to sit if you get SRO, a lot of railings with seats in the outfield

3. Go to the Gateway Arch if you haven’t been. It’s a unique experience and even memorable for young kids, as those goofy cars that take you up are fun in themselves

4. Check out Ballpark Village, if you are an adult it's the ultimate bar and sports watching experience with a mechanical bull at the PBR bar if you are into that type of thing

5. Sports betting is almost legal in Missouri, but they are still working out the kinks. However, East St. Louis is in Illinois, where it is legal. You can take the Metro from the ballpark and be at a DraftKings Sportsbook in three Metro stops. The Metro is right outside Gate 3. There are horror stories, sure, but I had no issue and traveling with others is always a great plan.

Let’s Go Twins!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/3/31/24398005/game-4-twins-at-white-sox

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Game 5: Twins at White Sox

Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Is this all just an elaborate April fool’s day prank?

First Pitch: 6:40 PM CST​

TV: Twins.TV​

Radio: TIBN​

Know thine enemy: South Side Sox​

Simeon Woods Richardson will try to play the role of stopper as the 0-4 Twins try to rebound from a bad loss on Monday. On the mound for the White Sox is RHP Shane Smith, who will be making his first MLB start.

The Twins lineup aside from Willi Castro has been stagnant, let’s hope that changes today.

Today's Lineups​

Matt Wallner - RF	Nick Maton - DH
Carlos Correa - SS	Luis Robert - CF
Byron Buxton - CF	Andrew Vaughn - 1B
Trevor Larnach - LF	Andrew Benintendi - LF
Ryan Jeffers - C	Miguel Vargas - 3B
Ty France - 1B	Lenyn Sosa - 2B
Willi Castro - 2B	Brooks Baldwin - SS
Edouard Julien - DH	Austin Slater - RF
Jose Miranda - 3B	Korey Lee - C
S. Woods Richardson - RHP	Shane Smith - RHP

[th]

TWINS​

[/th]​

[th]

WHITE SOX​

[/th]​

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/4/1/24398993/game-5-twins-at-white-sox

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Twins 8, White Sox 3: We got one

Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Twins offense put up a 5-spot in the 6th and never looked back.

The White Sox scored first tonight, using 3 singles in the 2nd inning, the 3rd an RBI single by Brooks Baldwin. In the 4th, Andrew Benintendi scored on a sac-fly RBI by Baldwin. Simeon Woods Richardson’s night would end after 4 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and striking out 5 while walking 1.

They made it a 3-0 lead after Nick Maton hit a solo shot off of Louie Varland in the 5th.

With 2 outs in the 6th, and things looking bleak once again, the Twins bats finally woke up. Byron Buxton and Trevor Larnach walked, then Ryan Jeffers got the Twins on the board with an RBI single. Ty France also hit an RBI single, then Willi Castro was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Edouard Julien, who tied the game with a single. Jose Miranda then doinked a hit behind 1st base to plate 2 more, putting the Twins up 5-3. Julien would be thrown out trying to steal home, ending the threat.

With the lead, the Twins bullpen went to work, getting shutout innings from Cole Sands, Jorge Alcala, and Griffin Jax. In Jax’s 8th inning, with 2 runners on, Carlos Correa made a great run saving diving catch, then Jax struck out Lenyn Sosa to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th Harrison Bader came up with 2 on and blasted a 3-run homer to left to open the lead up to 8-3. Bader had come in as a defensive replacement for Larnach in the 7th. Danny Coulombe pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning, securing the Twins first win of the 2025 season! Pablo Lopez will get the ball tomorrow afternoon to try to secure a series win.

Studs:

Harrison Bader: 1-1, 3-run homer

Matt Wallner: 1-2, 2B, 3 BB

Ty France: 2-4, BB, RBI, R

Ryan Jeffers: 2-5, RBI, R

The bullpen: 5 innings, just 1 run allowed

Duds:

NO DUDS TWINS WIN!!

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/4/1/24399214/twins-8-white-sox-3-we-got-one

 

[Minnesota Twins]

Twins 6, White Sox 1: That’s the way to treat delay, team

Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Pre-game rain delay 3:20, time of game 2:17.

Let us go then, you and I,
Where the ballgame is played under drizzly sky
Like the stand that props a laden dripping clothesline;
Let us go, through empty Chicago seats,
The ashen lumber beats
In fading lights a long-night’s sleep can tell
And distant homers launched with massive knell:
Ringing follows and expedient hollering
And perfidious incense
To beat them in a homeward-coming present...

Oh, do not say, “We’re shitty!”
Let us go and wreck the city.

In the park the clubs have come to play
Talking of Rubiaceae.

The muddy ball is launched by arm to pass the batter’s box,
The muddy ball is launched by lumber from the batter’s box,
Made a thud into the bleachers void and empty,
Lingered within the benches chilled in rain,
Told true the Twins attack in sooth that punctures nimbly,
Sat on the concrete, late it fell asleep,
And seeing that it was a silent April night,
Curled up to hear the Sox, the fans that weep.

And indeed there will be time
For the muddy ball when found below the seat,
Launching a heart that dreams of batter’s box;
There will be time, there will be time,
To prepare the heart that dreams to start a fresh dream;
There will be time to homer at the plate,
And time for all the hopes and dreams and plans
To lift and build in blessing being great;
Time for you and time for me,
And time now for a thousand televisions,
And for a thousand visions and derisions,
Because the taking of a rout we see.

In the park the clubs have come to play
Talking of Rubiaceae.

And indeed there will be time
To ponder, “Who are STUDS?”, and “Who are DUDS?”
Those who rang loud and who fell with thuds,
And who balled out in their sprouting sporting buds—
(We will say: “How these STUDS can lead a win!”)
In leading off, an open inning striking on the chin,
Did Minny’s own Lord Byron, send the ball into a distant spin—
(We will say: “But how these STUDS can lead a win!”)
Do I dare
Assume exuberance?
When we’re winning there is time
For decisions and precisions when we’re winning coming first.

But have we mentioned all already, said them all:
Forget not Carlos, Carlos, swinging true,
Needing pleasure from a hit he tallied two,
His throat rejoices sighing with a dying quail,
His glove a music bringing springing bloom.
Who else is in the room?

And Pablo took the mound and steady, threw the ball—
His offers mixing in his calm related ways.
And when he is calm and sated, aiming at a pin,
Opponents pinned and whiffing doomed to fall,
The ball in rapid spin
And hitters on their butts and in a hazy daze?
Who else is in the room?

And Harrison came prepped and ready, standing tall—
Armed with a slugger’s bat and swinging fair
(And in the spotlight, launched it farther there!)
Is it certain he’s the best
That makes the fanbase blest?
Homers flying in the bleachers, a rap against a ball.
And who else is in the room?
Who else assured the win?

Shall I say, there is not a DUD to make it bleak
Amid a winning game to dull the bright
Horizon as the plane leaves, peeling from Chicago?...

We should have had our share of batted balls
Slipping beneath the gloves of Stocking fields.

And the aftermath, this evening, passes peacefully!
Winning thought lingers,
We sleep... tired... and dream of dingers,
Jacked to the seats, making the score increase.
Should we, if a single win suffices,
Fall again into a Minnesota crisis?
We know it has crept and lasted, crept and stayed,
Though now we look ahead (and standing tall) for wins to make a pattern,
Our minds will loft it — from here unto Saturn;
We can dream this moment heralds greatness thicker,
And we have seen our beloved Mascot jump and dance, and snicker.
And in short, all is a day.

And will it help our purpose, after all,
After the runs, the homering, the win,
Among the fanbase, among some talkers prone to spin,
Wanting to hurt our smiles,
To have written word that far too often riles,
To believe the losing words one and then all
And absorbed those with nary posing question,
To say: “We’re a losing team, luck is all dread,
Go back into our holes, we should numb our souls”—
Each one, with an exhilarated head,
Should say, “That is not who we are in whole,
That is not us, in whole.”

And will it help our purpose, after all,
To now promote our smiles,
After the offense and the defense and the sprinkled hits,
After the rainfall, after the clubhouse, after the plane and flying heading home—
And wish, and so much more?—
Is it yet possible to want this for our team?
But amid our witty banter in the thread with Comment of the Game:
Nagurski made words smile
With one, talking of poor signings for Minnesota ball,
In citing Joey Gallo, today:
“He was not good in whole.
He’s whom Santa should bring, the coal.”

Now! We’re the victors dammit, as we aim to be;
May any pennant soar, one now would do
For showing progress, spend a buck or two,
To help the Twins; no doubt, a cinch to do.
Any spending, glad to be of use.
So simple, hoping, so meticulous;
Full of high pennants, and a wish for truth;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—
Almost, at times, the Truth.

Now I know... now I know...
There’s a way for winning that this team can go.

Shall we make a playoff ride? Do we dare to take a piece?
I shall pray to see October, as fervent hearts increase.
I shall count these hopes as legal, not caprice.

I do not think that the past means anything.

For today was just a single winning day
Taking the White Sox down by six to one
In a win where we ought to have some fun.
We have lingered but it’s April yet to see
And seeing wins will fill our mental cup
And hope will ever keep us, keep us up.

Source: https://www.twinkietown.com/2025/4/...-team-pablo-lopez-t-s-eliot-j-alfred-prufrock