Angel Stadium, Anaheim, California
First pitch: 9:38 p.m. ET (6:38 p.m. PT)
TV: ABTV / Twins.TV
The Twins, fourth in the AL Central and playing out the final stretch of the season, open a four-game series against the last-place Angels, who are trying to avoid a 100-loss season. Minnesota holds a 2-1 lead in the season series from a July set in Minneapolis. Both clubs are well out of contention, making this a low-stakes late-season matchup focused on individual performances and development.
Starting Pitchers
Twins: RHP Taj Bradley (11-6, 3.81 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 190 K in 165.1 IP)
Bradley has been a solid mid-rotation piece with a strong strikeout rate (~10.3 K/9). He is 10 strikeouts short of 200 for the season. He has prior success against the Angels (including a solid outing in July). Walks remain a mild concern, but he limits hard contact reasonably well.
Angels: RHP Walbert Ureña (9-10, 2.88 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 131 K in 137.1 IP)
The hard-throwing rookie (often reaching 100+ mph with his sinker) has posted an impressive ERA, especially at home (strong numbers at Angel Stadium). He has been effective since the All-Star break and keeps the ball in the park (only 9 HR allowed). This is his first career start against Minnesota.
Ureña holds the edge on pure run prevention and home performance; Bradley brings higher strikeout upside and more innings experience.
Venue & Weather Forecast
Angel Stadium is a relatively neutral park that can favor pitchers in cooler evening conditions, though it has produced average-to-slightly elevated offense at times. Forecast for game time: Partly cloudy to mostly sunny earlier in the day, becoming clearer by evening. Highs in the upper 70s°F, with temperatures around 70–75°F at first pitch and cooling into the mid-60s later. Southwest winds 5–10 mph. No significant precipitation expected (near 0% chance during the game). Ideal late-summer Southern California conditions—dry and comfortable for baseball.
willyweather.com
Injury Reports
Twins
Kaelen Culpepper (SS): 10-day IL (left hamstring strain; recent placement)
Byron Buxton (CF): 10-day IL (hip; season-ending surgery planned)
Longer-term 60-day IL: Pablo López (elbow), Mick Abel (elbow), Mike Paredes (oblique), David Festa (shoulder), Cole Sands (elbow), Anthony Banda (lat), and others.
Trevor Larnach (LF) has been day-to-day (wrist/side notes) but was listed as probable in recent updates.
Available contributors include Kody Clemens, Brooks Lee, Ryan Jeffers, Josh Bell, Royce Lewis, and others.
Angels
Nolan Schanuel (1B): 10-day IL (side/intercostal; rehab notes)
George Klassen (SP): 15-day IL (back)
Samy Natera Jr. (RP): 15-day IL (forearm)
Longer-term: Yoán Moncada (knee), Gustavo Campero (hamstring), Jack Kochanowicz (elbow), Robert Stephenson (elbow), Anthony Rendon (hip), and others.
Core available pieces include Zach Neto, Mike Trout, and recent hot bats such as Denzer Guzmán.
Key Player Matchups & Notes
Kody Clemens (Twins) leads Minnesota with 26 home runs and provides middle-of-order power against Ureña’s high-velocity arsenal.
Brooks Lee and Ryan Jeffers offer contact and on-base skills in the upper half of the order.
Angels side: Zach Neto is a multi-category contributor (26 HR, solid average and on-base). Mike Trout remains a threat when healthy. Denzer Guzmán had a four-hit game in the previous contest and has shown recent production. Moises Ballesteros has been hot in the last 10 games.
Bradley’s strikeout ability vs. Angels’ contact-oriented approach and Ureña’s sinker/velocity vs. Twins power bats are central dynamics. Angel Stadium’s dimensions generally keep games tighter.
Recent Team Forms
Twins: 3-7 in last 10 (.199 BA, elevated 5.34 ERA in the stretch, outscored significantly). They took a 13-inning win over the Yankees on Wednesday but have struggled overall of late. Road record 31-43.
Angels: 4-6 in last 10 (.236 BA, 3.87 ERA). They split recent games with Seattle after earlier losses and continue a difficult season at home (32-45).
Series History
Twins lead the 2026 season series 2-1 after taking two of three in Minneapolis in July. This is the first of four remaining meetings at Angel Stadium to close out the year. Prior matchups have been competitive and relatively low-scoring.
Betting Trends
Twins are favored on the road against a struggling Angels club, though Ureña’s strong home numbers keep the price relatively modest. Unders have been relevant given both starters’ profiles and the park.
Game Odds
Minnesota Twins 7.5
Los Angeles Angels – 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 16, 2026
