The Minnesota Twins (63-65) bring a three-game win streak to Petco Park to face the San Diego Padres (68-60), who are looking to bounce back from a series loss in New York.
The Minnesota Twins and San Diego Padres open a three-game series at Petco Park on Friday night with both teams in the thick of playoff races. The Twins (63-65) arrive in Southern California riding a three-game win streak after sweeping the Atlanta Braves, while the Padres (68-60) are looking to shake off a 4-2 loss to the Mets that cost them a series in New York. With both clubs sitting second in their respective divisions, this interleague matchup carries real wild-card weight.
Minnesota Twins: Sweep Momentum and a Banged-Up Roster
The Twins swept the Braves at home, capping it with a 6-4 win on Wednesday. Kody Clemens drove in three runs, including an RBI single in the decisive seventh inning, and Brooks Lee added an RBI single in the same frame. In Tuesday’s 4-1 win, Josh Bell hit a two-run homer and Ryan Jeffers added a two-run double to account for all of Minnesota’s scoring. The sweep pushed the Twins to 63-65, and they’ve now won three straight as they head west.
But Minnesota’s depth is being tested. The Twins have 10 players on the injured list, including starting pitcher Joe Ryan (15-day) and outfielder Austin Martin (10-day). Long-term absences include Mike Paredes, Mick Abel, Cole Sands, Joe Jimenez, Reynaldo Lopez, Robert Suarez, Spencer Strider, and Spencer Schwellenbach, all on 60-day or 15-day stints. That’s a lot of innings and at-bats missing, but the lineup has produced enough to keep the club in the AL Central mix.
San Diego Padres: Tatis Heating Up, but Injury Woes Loom
The Padres dropped the series finale in New York 4-2, with Mets’ Carson Benge hitting a two-run homer to seal it. That loss came after a 5-2 win on Tuesday in which Fernando Tatis Jr. homered twice and robbed Francisco Lindor of a grand slam with a catch over the right-field wall. Tatis is the clear offensive engine right now, but the Padres need more consistency after going 1-2 in that series.
San Diego’s injury report is similarly heavy: Juan Soto (10-day), Cionel Perez (15-day), Mark Vientos (10-day), Justin Hagenman (60-day), Devin Williams (15-day), Joe Musgrove (60-day), Samad Taylor (10-day), Lucas Giolito (15-day), and Nick Pivetta (60-day). Xander Bogaerts is day-to-day. With a long IL list, the Padres’ depth will be tested as they open a homestand against a Twins club that’s playing with confidence.
Head-to-Head: Momentum vs. Home Field
The Twins have won three straight, while the Padres have lost two of their last three. Minnesota’s offense has been clicking, but they’re facing a Padres team that’s 68-60 and tough at Petco Park. San Diego’s pitching held the Mets to two runs in Tuesday’s win, but they’ll need to contain a Twins lineup that just put up 11 runs in two games against Atlanta. The X-factor could be Tatis, who has shown he can change a game with one swing or one catch.
- Twins are 63-65, second in the AL Central, with a 3-game win streak.
- Padres are 68-60, second in the NL West, after splitting their last two series.
- Both teams have significant injuries: Twins have 10 on IL, Padres have 9 plus Bogaerts day-to-day.
Prediction
This is a tough call. The Twins have the momentum, but the Padres have the better record and home-field advantage. San Diego’s offense, led by Tatis, should find enough against a Twins pitching staff that’s missing key arms. Expect a close game, but the Padres’ depth at home gives them the edge.
Prediction: Padres win a tight one, 5-4, as Tatis delivers a late hit.
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