Tuesday night in the Bronx was a strange one for Minnesota Twins fans.
On the one hand, the Twins lost their fourth straight game to the Yankees and have only mustered up two runs total across that span. On the flipside, Royce Lewis counted for one of those runs as he returned to the lineup with a bang.
Lewis wasted no time getting back to business, walking twice and hitting a solo home run off Tommy Kahnle. He has reached base in every single at-bat this season, which is impressive even with the large gap he missed due to injury.
It's impossible to overstate the confidence having Lewis back gives the Twins. Down 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Cory Provus and Trevor Plouffe were musing about how all the team needed to do was hold firm and get a runner on for Lewis to be the tying run.
That's how good he is, and how much he changes perceptions from what they were when he was out.
Getting a win against the Yankees is the next big step, something that has proven to be easier said than done. For as exciting as it is to have Lewis back, Minnesota is still getting outscored 19-2 over its four games against New York, something that has to change on Wedneday night.
Twins vs. Yankees starting pitchers, June 5th
Just like Bailey Ober last night, the Twins are hoping that Chris Paddack (4-2, 4.57 ERA) can earn a major confidence boost with a solid outing against the Yankees. The Sheriff hasn't been stellar on the road this season, owning a 6.85 ERA in away game, nor has he been great against New York.
Paddack has already faced the Yankees this season, allowing five runs on 12 hits in a 5-1 loss on May 14th. He's had those kinds of starts this year, where things just don't seem to be going his way, but Paddack has also tossed some gems that feel closer to what he's capable of.
He had a string of four starts where he five runs in 23.1 innings of work, including a dominating 10 strikeout performance against the White Sox. He also held the Guardians to just two runs on three hits in eight innings back on May 19th -- his first start after getting roughed up by the Yankees -- although the Twins were unable to pull out a victory.
Wednesday will be a huge test for Paddack, and a good outing will go a long way not only for the Twins but in establishing that he's fully back.
For the Yankees, Carlos Rodon (7-2, 3.09 ERA) will be on the mound which won't make the Twins bouncing back any easier. There was some hope that Minnesota would pursue Rodon and add him to their rotation but he landed in New York and hasn't really looked back.
Some early injury concerns held him up, but he's been phenomenal and will look to become the first pitcher to record an out on Royce Lewis this season.
Minnesota Twins lineup vs. Yankees, June 5th
- Manuel Margot, RF
- Carlos Correa, SS
- Ryan Jeffers, C
- Royce Lewis, 3B
- Jose Miranda, DH
- Byron Buxton, CF
- Willi Castro, LF
- Carlos Santana, 1B
- Kyle Farmer, 2B
How to watch Minnesota Twins game today?
After back-to-back nationally televised games, the Twins will be back on Bally Sports North only tonight. It won't be long before we get another one, though, as Friday's game in Pittsburgh against the Pirates will be one of the Apple TV+ broadcasts, but won't be simulcast like Tuesday's game on TBS was.
Here's everything to know for tonight's game:
- Start Time: 6:05 pm CT
- Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Location: Bronx, NY
- Stadium: Yankee Stadium
- Local TV Channel: Bally Sports North