Fresh off taking two of three games from the Chicago Cubs, the Minnesota Twins begin a pivotal weekend series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unlike the Cubs, the Pirates are the bottom dwellers of the National League Central. The Twins enter the weekend four games out of the final Wild-Card spot, and the outcome of this weekend's series could be a determining factor for the direction the front office takes ahead of the trade deadline.
Friday's game won't be easy for the Twins, however, as the Pirates are sending Paul Skenes. Skenes has taken Major League Baseball by storm since making his debut last season. Already the favorite to win the National League Cy Young Award, despite the Pirates' losing ways, has a 1.94 ERA and 125 strikeouts through his first 19 starts this season.
Twins draw Paul Skenes in battle of the buzzworthy arms
The good news, however, is that the Twins are responding with an All-Star of their own. Fresh off being named to the All-Star game, Joe Ryan will be making the start for the Twins. With the Twins dealing with injuries to Pablo López and Zebby Matthews, Ryan has emerged as the ace of the rotation.
Ryan sports a 2.76 ERA through 104 1/3 innings pitched with 116 strikeouts. It's never ideal to face Skenes, but for the Twins, countering with Ryan is their best possible move.
Of course, Ryan making the start on Friday, amid the Twins trying to remain in contention for the 2025 season, will likely have the interest of teams in need of a starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline. A recent rumor suggested that the Twins may consider moving Ryan at the deadline if they are out of contention and receive an overwhelming trade offer. Considering Ryan is under control until 2028, the idea of the Twins receiving an overwhelming offer for the ascending veterans feels like a foregone conclusion.
Skenes has not been a stranger to trade rumors this season, either. Despite insiders making the case that the Pirates should trade Skenes, every indication is that he won't be on the market at the deadline. Regardless, Friday night's pitching matchup is going to be can't miss for Twins fans.