The Minnesota Twins will turn to Zebby Matthews in the opener of their three-game series against the Athletics in West Sacramento, with a much-needed response expected after being swept by the San Diego Padres. This is the sort of game Minnesota should be expected to win, but the pressure is real because the Twins remain in third place in the AL Central with a losing record.
That makes Twins Vs Athletics more than just an ordinary regular-season series. For Minnesota, it is an opportunity to steady itself, bank wins against a weaker opponent and keep at least some control over a broader playoff discussion that is still very much alive.
Matthews gets the first chance
Zebby Matthews’ recent outing offered a reminder of why the Twins are willing to give him the ball. Before this series, he allowed one run in 5.1 innings against the Braves, giving up five hits and one walk while striking out four.
Those are the kind of numbers that matter for a team trying to find stability. The Twins do not need perfection here, but they do need a starter who can keep them in the game and prevent a lesser opponent from dictating the tone early.
Taj Bradley gives Minnesota another reason for optimism
There is also encouragement in what Taj Bradley did against the Braves before the series. He threw five innings of two-hit ball, allowing no runs, with seven strikeouts and three walks.
That gives Minnesota a pair of recent starts to point to, even if the bigger issue remains the team result rather than any single pitcher line. A 4.60 ERA and a 5.12 ERA are not numbers that suggest a finished product, but they do show there is room for this group to be sharper as the series develops.
A chance the Twins should take
The Athletics in West Sacramento are the kind of opponent the Twins need to handle if they are serious about staying in the race. That does not mean the series is automatic, but it does mean Minnesota will be judged on whether it can turn the last week into a reset rather than a slide.
If Matthews gives the Twins a solid start, the opener should give them a platform to settle quickly. If not, the questions around consistency and playoff viability will only grow louder.
