First pitch: 7:40 p.m. ET
Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota
This is Game 2 of a three-game series. The Yankees won the opener 8-3 on Monday, powered by Aaron Judge’s three-run homer in a six-run eighth inning (his first since returning from a fractured rib) and contributions from José Caballero and others. The win helped New York clinch a postseason berth (their ninth in 10 seasons) after Toronto’s loss elsewhere. The Yankees remain in the AL East race (trailing the Rays); the Twins are out of contention and fading.
Starting Pitchers
Max Fried (LHP, Yankees) — 4-4, 2.73 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 94 SO in 99.0 IP. Elite efficiency and command this season with a very low home-run rate. Returning from earlier IL time, he has shown strong recent form (including a solid xERA in recent starts). Left-hander should challenge the Twins’ right-leaning lineup.
Bailey Ober (RHP, Twins) — 7-5, 4.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 85 SO in 117.2 IP. Solid but average production with a higher home-run rate (18 allowed). Capable of missing bats but vulnerable to hard contact, especially against power lineups.
Current Weather Forecast
Mostly sunny with comfortable conditions. Highs around 69–71°F near first pitch. West-northwest winds 10–15 mph (gusts possible). Low precipitation chance (near 0–10%). Clear and pleasant evening baseball weather at Target Field with minimal impact expected.
Injury Reports
Yankees:
Trent Grisham (CF, hamstring) — 10-day IL.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B, thumb) — 10-day IL.
Ryan Weathers (SP, forearm) — 15-day IL.
Fernando Cruz (RP, elbow) — 15-day IL.
Longer-term: Clarke Schmidt (SP, elbow), Giancarlo Stanton (DH, calf), others.
Twins:
Royce Lewis (IF, shoulder) — day-to-day.
Kaelen Culpepper (SS, shoulder) — day-to-day.
Trevor Larnach (OF, wrist) — day-to-day.
Byron Buxton (CF, hip) — 10-day IL (season-ending surgery planned).
Longer-term: Mick Abel, Mike Paredes, others (elbow/oblique).
Both teams manage notable absences, with Minnesota particularly thin in the outfield and infield depth.
Recent Team Forms
Yankees (4-1 last 5): Strong surge with the Monday win and clinch. Recent results include wins over the Mets and Rockies. Road record strong (45-31); AL-leading home-run total (207). Offense features power from Judge (returning to form), Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, and Caballero.
Twins (1-4 last 5): Struggling with losses to the Yankees and Cleveland. Fading from contention (lost 8 of 11 recently). Home record 39-37. Offense has been inconsistent; key contributors include Brooks Lee, Josh Bell, and Ryan Jeffers.
Series History
Season series tied 2-2 entering Tuesday (Yankees took Monday; Twins won two of three in a July series at Yankee Stadium). Competitive interleague-style matchups historically, with power often deciding games at Target Field.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Trends
Fried (LHP) vs. Twins hitters: Minnesota has struggled against lefties at times this season. Fried’s elite control and low WHIP give him a clear edge; expect him to limit hard contact from Lee, Bell, and Jeffers.
Ober vs. Yankees hitters: New York’s lefty-heavy or power bats (Judge, Bellinger, Rice, Wells) present a tough challenge. Ober’s higher ERA and HR rate raise concerns against a lineup that exploded for six runs in the eighth Monday.
Standouts: Aaron Judge (momentum after the big homer), Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, José Caballero for the Yankees; Brooks Lee, Josh Bell, Ryan Jeffers for the Twins. Yankees hold significant edges in overall team ERA (3.22 vs. 4.71) and power.
Team edges: Yankees superior in pitching, recent form, postseason motivation, and roster quality. Twins rely on home-field and any opportunistic offense.
Betting Trends
Monday went over after the late explosion. Yankees have been strong as favorites on the road lately; Fried’s presence supports lower-scoring leanings if he goes deep.
Game Odds
New York Yankees – 171
Minnesota Twins 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, September 14, 2026
