Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Scheduled first pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET.
TV: Twins.TV / RSN (and related regional/streaming options).
This is the opener of a three-game interleague series (the fourth meeting of the 2026 season between the clubs).
Records: Texas Rangers 79-80 (2nd in AL West, still in contention for the division title in a tight race with Houston); Minnesota Twins 75-84 (3rd in AL Central). Rangers are stronger overall but struggle on the road (34-44); Twins are roughly even at home (40-38).
Scheduled first pitch: 8:10 p.m. ET. TV: Twins.TV / RSN (and related regional/streaming options).
Probable starting pitchers:
Texas: Jacob deGrom (RHP, 11-10, 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 196 K in 158.2 IP across ~30 starts). Elite strikeout pitcher nearing 200 Ks for the first time since 2019; career 0-1 with a 7.00 ERA in two prior starts vs. Minnesota.
Minnesota: Joe Ryan (RHP, 6-10, 3.83–4.22 ERA range across sources, 1.18 WHIP, 151 K in ~138–140 IP across ~26 starts). Seeking his first win since early July; solid but winless in recent stretches.
Current Weather Forecast (Target Field)
Partly sunny to cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s°F during the day, cooling into the evening (game-time temps likely in the low-to-mid 60s). Light southeast winds (5–10 mph). Dry conditions expected for most of Friday with rain chances rising overnight into Saturday. Comfortable fall baseball weather with low precipitation risk at first pitch.
Injury Reports
Rangers: Kyle Higashioka (C, flexor/forearm, 10-day IL); Joc Pederson (DH, hand/wrist fracture, 10-day IL); Jack Leiter (SP, ankle, 60-day IL); Jose Corniell (RP, elbow, 60-day IL); Carter Baumler (RP, ribs/oblique, 60-day IL); Cal Quantrill (recent lat strain, 60-day IL in some reports); others including Cole Winn (shoulder) and longer-term arms. Catching and DH depth affected.
Twins: Byron Buxton (CF, hip, 10-day IL, season-ending surgery); Trevor Larnach (LF, wrist, 10-day IL); Kaelen Culpepper (SS, hamstring, 10-day IL); longer-term absences include Pablo López (elbow, 60-day), Mick Abel (elbow), Cole Sands (elbow), David Festa (shoulder), Mike Paredes (oblique), and Anthony Banda (lat). Outfield and rotation depth tested.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups & Notes
deGrom (high-velocity, high-K RHP) faces a Twins lineup featuring Brooks Lee (power/RBI production with ~24 HR), Luke Keaschall (hot recently), Josh Bell, and supporting bats. Twins rank solid in HR total (~184). Ryan faces Rangers contributors including Ezequiel Duran (doubles/power), Jake Burger (~27 HR range), Brandon Nimmo, Wyatt Langford, and Josh Jung (hot in recent stretch with multi-hit/power games). Rangers rank mid-pack in AVG and power. Target Field can play neutral; both starters have the tools to suppress offense in cooler conditions.
Recent Team Forms
Rangers: 6-4 last 10 (outscoring opponents slightly); entering on a three-game skid but still alive in the AL West race. Road struggles persist.
Twins: 5-5 last 10 (near even run differential, strong recent pitching ERA ~2.96 in stretch). Playing out the season with less urgency.
Series History
Limited 2026 meetings (this is the fourth); Minnesota swept earlier head-to-head encounters in some reports. Historical results vary, but Twins have shown success at home against Texas in recent years.
Betting Trends
Rangers stronger when not allowing HRs; deGrom’s strikeout ability supports under and favorite leans. Twins competitive at home; close lines reflect the tight pitching matchup.
Game Odds
Texas Rangers – 111
Minnesota Twins 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, September 24, 2026
