Twins vs. Blue Jays Preview: Will Minnesota Maintain Momentum in Toronto?

The Minnesota Twins arrive in Toronto on a four-game winning streak. They beat the Detroit Tigers in each game at Target Field. Minnesota sits 7-6 early in Derek Shelton’s tenure.

Injury context and standings

The Blue Jays are the defending American League champions. They reached last season’s World Series but are 5-7 this year. Toronto has key starters on the injured list, including Jose Berrios, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber.

Toronto opened with a sweep of Oakland. Since then they have gone 2-7 against Colorado, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers. The club ranks 23rd in MLB with a .650 OPS.

Weekend pitching matchups

Friday’s game starts at 6:07 p.m. CT. Left-hander Patrick Corbin will make his season debut against righty Simeon Woods Richardson.

Friday

Corbin was a recent signing for Toronto and will take the mound out of necessity. Over the last six seasons he is 40-81 with a 5.41 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in about 900 innings.

Woods Richardson has posted a 2.31 ERA so far. He was part of the trade that sent Jose Berrios to Minnesota in July 2021.

Saturday

First pitch is 2:07 p.m. CT. Left-hander Eric Lauer faces Twins right-hander Joe Ryan.

Ryan is Minnesota’s ace and a 2025 All-Star. He has 17 strikeouts and five walks so far, with a 4.40 ERA.

Lauer struck out nine in his first start. He then left his last outing early due to flu symptoms and carries a 4.91 ERA.

Sunday

Sunday’s start is set for 12:37 p.m. CT. Max Scherzer and Taj Bradley meet as both teams turn to veteran and young arms.

Scherzer, 41, exited his most recent start early with forearm tendinitis. He recorded a 3.38 ERA in his season debut and posted a 5.19 ERA across 85 innings last year.

Bradley has been excellent for Minnesota. He has a 1.08 ERA in 16.2 innings, with 22 strikeouts and four walks.

Offense and lineup notes

Toronto is missing Alejandro Kirk and Addison Barger to injury. Bo Bichette was lost in the offseason.

• Top Jays hitters through two weeks: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Andres Gimenez, Jesus Sanchez.
• Early slumps include George Springer, Daulton Varsho, and Kazuma Okamoto.

Minnesota ranks 13th in baseball with a .682 OPS. Newcomer Josh Bell is leading the Twins offensively early.

• Byron Buxton and Luke Keaschall showed life during the Tigers series.
• Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and Trevor Larnach have contributed despite Wallner’s high strikeout total.
• Lewis is out of Friday’s lineup after a Thursday injury.

Bullpen comparisons

Toronto’s relief corps has been dominant. Jeff Hoffman, Louis Varland, Tyler Rogers, and Braydon Fisher have allowed two earned runs in 26.1 innings.

That group has recorded 35 strikeouts and eight walks. The Jays hold a clear late-game advantage.

Minnesota’s bullpen is more patchwork. Key relievers include Eric Orze, Cole Sands, Taylor Rogers, and Anthony Banda.

Matchup implications

This Twins vs. Blue Jays preview centers on starting pitching and bullpen balance. Minnesota’s rotation and offense have carried them through the opening weeks.

Toronto’s injuries and recent results have reduced their margin for error. The Blue Jays still possess a strong late-inning group.

Filmogaz.com will monitor whether Minnesota can maintain momentum in Toronto. The series will test both rotations and the two bullpens.