Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
First pitch: 1:40 p.m. ET (12:40 p.m. CT).
Probable starters: LHP Carlos Rodón (Yankees, 6-3, 2.94 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 78 K in 70.1 IP) vs. RHP Zebby Matthews (Twins, 9-10, 4.98 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 99 K in 119.1 IP).
Weather Forecast
Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with a high near 75°F. Light east-southeast winds around 5 mph. Dry conditions expected for the afternoon start, with increasing clouds later and a chance of light evening showers after the game. Comfortable early-fall temperatures ideal for baseball at Target Field.
Injury Reports
Yankees: Trent Grisham (10-day IL, hamstring), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (10-day IL, thumb), Fernando Cruz (15-day IL, elbow), Ryan Weathers (15-day IL, forearm), Giancarlo Stanton (60-day IL, calf), Clarke Schmidt (60-day IL, elbow), Kervin Castro (60-day IL, elbow), and others. Aaron Judge has been managed with rest recently but remains available.
Twins: Byron Buxton (10-day IL, hip; season-ending surgery expected), Kaelen Culpepper (day-to-day, left hamstring tightness after exiting Tuesday’s game), Pablo López (60-day IL, elbow), Mick Abel (60-day IL, elbow), Cole Sands (60-day IL, elbow), David Festa (60-day IL, shoulder), Mike Paredes (60-day IL, oblique), Anthony Banda (60-day IL, lat), and additional absences.
Current active groups feature key Yankees contributors such as Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Spencer Jones, Heliot Ramos, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Wells. Twins rely on Luke Keaschall, Kody Clemens, Josh Bell, Royce Lewis, and available depth.
Recent Team Forms
Yankees: 88-63 (second in AL East, 3.5 games behind Tampa Bay; already clinched a wild-card spot). Won the first two of this series (including an 8-1 rout Tuesday behind Max Fried, Bellinger, and Jones). Last 10: 8-2 with strong pitching (team ERA ~3.21) and AL-leading power (209 HR). Road: 46-31. Momentum is excellent.
Twins: 70-81 (fourth in AL Central). Lost the first two of this series and are on a three-game home losing streak. Last 10: 3-7 with a weak offense (.196 AVG in that span) and elevated team ERA (~4.70–5.79 recently). Home: 39-38. Playing out the string.
Series History
Yankees lead the 2026 season series 3-2 (and the current three-game set 2-0). New York has dominated recent meetings at Target Field and holds a strong historical road record against Minnesota. The Yankees look to complete the sweep.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Pitching Edge
Clear edge to Rodón, who has been excellent in limited starts this season (low ERA/WHIP, strong strikeout rate, and consistent ability to limit damage). Matthews has been more hittable with a higher ERA and home-run rate.
Key hitters: Bellinger (hot streak, multi-hit games and recent power), Rice (team HR leader), Jones, and Wells vs. Matthews; Keaschall, Clemens, and Bell vs. the lefty Rodón. Target Field can play neutrally to slightly pitcher-friendly in these conditions, but the Yankees’ power advantage is notable.
Betting Trends
Yankees heavily favored on the road with superior form, pitching, and series momentum.
Recent games in the series have seen New York score freely (Overs in play).
Game Odds
New York Yankees – 147
Minnesota Twins 8
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, September 15, 2026
