The first matchup of the Red Sox and Twins, in Minnesota, was memorable for two things: Garrett Crochet getting hit so hard he’d eventually land on the IL, and the big breakout (of 2026) for Connelly Early. As they flew home to host the Tigers, the Red Sox stood at a 7-11 record, the opposite of the Twins at 11-7. Boston would then go 15-20 while Minnesota would post a 12-20 record. It’s hard to say the Sox are the “hot” team but they are 12-10 since Chad Tracy replaced Alex Cora, which looks better. How much difference any of the coaching changes actually made is unclear. Perhaps unknowable. Was Jarren Duran really a .500 OPS guy? Probably not! Could Alex Cora “fix” him? Well if he could it was going to take a few weeks because we’re still barely into the upswing, should it continue.
Minnesota is helped by the strong start, a rejuvenated Byron Buxton, and being in the AL Central. As of Thursday May 21st the Twins were just 6.0 games out of first and 1.5 games out of a Wild Card. The Red Sox sit 11 back of the first place Rays, though are just 2.0 away from a Wild Card spot. Even the Chicago White Sox (25-24) and Texas Ranger (24-25) – the teams with the 2nd and 3rd Wild Cards – aren’t running away with it. Boston remains a hot week away from changing the narrative of 2026.
Rookie Connor Prielipp is the first starter for the Twins this series. Only 5 starts into his major league career, the 25-year-old southpaw was originally drafted by Boston in the 37th round of the 2019 draft. He would decide to go to college and the Twins would take him in the 2nd round in 2022. He’s allowed 1 or 2 earned runs in each of his starts, although did allow an addition 3 unearned runs against Cleveland for a total of 4 on the day. He’s battled injuries in college and the minors but works off a four-pitch mix lead by a min-90s fastball, a curveball, slider, and changeup. He’ll face Payton Tolle. What more is there to say? Tolle is coming off 8.0 masterful innings against the Braves. He’s five starts into his 2026 call-up and has seemed dominant at times. Simply “very good” at others.
Saturday is a mixed bag of unknowns. This is likely a Brayan Bello start for Boston. TBD…Total Bello Destruction? Unless they use an opener. I don’t know what that is. Typical Bello Dazzlement? Bello’s ERA sits 7.16 against a FIP of 6.06.
The afternoon game on Sunday is the old vets, granted Bailey Ober is six years younger than Sonny Gray but he’s the veteran of this Twins staff. He’s having a good, healthy 2026. Just skip a start ago he tossed an 89 pitch shutout of the Miami Marlins. He’s not going to blow hitters away (17.2% strikeout rate) but also isn’t handing out free passes (7.3% BB rate). Hitters are slashing just .208/.273/.368 agsint him and hitting the ball with an average exit velocity of just 86.5 miles per hour. The Nationals tagged him for 6 ru5 runs in May and Boston got 4 facing him in April during the series at Target Field, but those are the blemishes. Sonny Gray will need to be on his game. With back-to-back 6.0 inning, 1-run starts he aims to do just that. In his two most recent starts since coming off the IL, Gray has looked more like his old self while striking out 6 and 9, respectively. Grey had trouble against the Twins in April in a 4.0 inning, 5-run affair but both he and the Twins were in different places back then.
Byron Buxton has 15 home runs and 4 steals this season. He’s stayed hot since Boston last saw him.
On the plus side for Boston, Ryan Jeffers is the only Twin to even have 7 homers and he just hit the IL.
The talented but often injured and now slumping Royce Lewis was optioned to Triple A.
Kody Clemens has 4 homers and is hitting .240/.333/.421. With Friday also being a bobblehead of his dad maybe Rocket will be in town for both occasions? He’s come to watch Kody at Fenway before after all.
Josh Bell stole his first base since 2018 and has 1 on the year. His career high is 2 so, watch out.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, May 15: Connor Prielipp (2.88 ERA / 4.19 FIP) vs. Payton Tolle (2.05 ERA / 3.21 FIP)
Saturday, May 16: TBD (— ERA / — FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Sunday, May 17: Bailey Ober (3.63 ERA / 4.30 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (2.93 ERA / 3.73 FIP)
Friday, May 22: 7:10 PM ET on NESN
Saturday, May 23: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday, May 24: 1:35 PM ET on NESN
