Minnesota Twins open season in Kansas City today
March 30, 2023
The Minnesota Twins open the 2023 season at Kansas City today. The pitching matchup has newcomer Pablo Lopez on the hill for the Twins. He was acquired in an offseason trade with Miami that sent American League batting champion Luis Arraez to the Marlins.
Zach Grienke will be today’s starting pitcher for the Royals. Pre-game coverage begins at 2:30 on KWAT.
The season preview for the Minnesota Twins can be found below.
MINNESOTA TWINS
2022: 78-84, third place.
Manager: Rocco Baldelli (fifth season).
Opening Day: March 30 at Kansas City.
He’s Here: RHP Pablo López, OF Joey Gallo, C Christian Vázquez, OF Michael Taylor, INF Kyle Farmer, INF Donovan Solano.
He’s Outta Here: 1B/2B Luis Arraez, 3B Gio Urshela, C Gary Sánchez, RHP Dylan Bundy, RHP Chris Archer, RHP Michael Fulmer, LHP Devin Smeltzer, 1B Miguel Sanó, OF Jake Cave.
Top Hitters: SS Carlos Correa (.291, 22 HRs, 64 RBIs, .834 OPS), CF Byron Buxton (.224, 28, 51, .833 OPS in 92 games), 3B Jose Miranda (.268, 15, 66, .751 OPS), 2B Jorge Polanco (.235, 16, 56, .751 OPS).
Projected Rotation: RH Sonny Gray (8-5, 3.08 ERA), RH Pablo López (10-10, 3.75 for Miami), RH Tyler Mahle (6-8, 4.40 for Cincinnati and Minnesota), RH Kenta Maeda (missed 2022 season recovering from elbow surgery), RH Joe Ryan (13-8, 3.55).
Key Relievers: RH Jhoan Duran (2-4, 1.86 ERA, 8 saves, 89 Ks in 67 2/3 IP), RH Jorge López (4-7, 2.54, 23 saves for Baltimore and Minnesota), RH Griffin Jax (7-4, 3.36, 1 save).
Outlook: Bringing back Correa on a franchise-record $200 million contract after his agreed-to deals with the Giants and Mets fell through was a game-changer on and off the field for the Twins, who led the AL Central for 108 days last season before a hard fade triggered by a rash of injuries to important players. Buxton was again limited by injury, this time patellar tendinitis in his right knee and a related hip strain that popped up. Polanco is also coming off a bothersome knee injury that might keep him from being ready for opening day. Alex Kirilloff, in line to take over at first base, is yet another key hitter who’s been brought along slowly in spring training. If those four and Miranda can stay healthy, the Twins ought to have a productive lineup. If not, they’ll miss AL batting champion Arraez — who was traded to the Marlins for López — all the more. While the Twins still don’t have a true ace, their rotation is as deep as they’ve assembled lately. That’s good, because they had multiple starting pitchers hurt at all times last season. Maeda is back from Tommy John surgery.
