The Minnesota Twins opened a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on September 17, with Taj Bradley scheduled to start the opener at 8:38 p.m. CT at Angel Stadium. It was a matchup that gave Minnesota a clear opportunity to keep its late-season push moving in the right direction.
Bradley entered the game with a 2.95 ERA in 18 1/3 innings against the Angels, along with 17 strikeouts and five walks. That track record made him a logical choice for the Twins in a series where they were looking to strengthen their postseason position and, if things broke right, make the final week of the season more interesting.
Bradley's track record against Los Angeles
The numbers pointed to a favorable matchup for Minnesota's starter. Bradley had already shown he could handle the Angels, and Los Angeles had been one of the league's worst teams. That combination gave the Twins a chance to set the tone early in the series opener.
Bradley also had a solid season overall, going 11-6 with a 3.81 ERA. The Twins needed that version of him as they continued their September schedule.
What the Angels brought to the matchup
Walbert Ureña was set to start for Los Angeles, and he came in with a 9-10 record and a 2.88 ERA. The Angels had shown they could lean on Ureña's strong velocity, and Minnesota had already demonstrated it could handle that kind of arsenal.
Mike Trout was another key piece in the matchup history. Before this game, he was 5-for-6 against Bradley with a walk and an RBI, a small but notable detail that added another layer to the series opener.
Luke Keashall also entered the series with momentum after being on fire against the Yankees, where he served as an offensive tablesetter for the Twins. With Minnesota trying to keep pace late in the year, that kind of production mattered.
For the Twins, the opener was about more than one game. A strong start against the Angels could help them keep the postseason race alive into the final week and set up a meaningful finish to the season.
