The Twins are the hottest team in baseball right now, winning 17 of 20 and six straight series. All of this despite missing centerfielder Byron Buxton and third baseman Royce Lewis to injuries.
Now, they'll get to prove it against their postseason nemesis, the New York Yankees who come into Target Field also on a fairly hot streak of their own.
For the Twins, it's been about pitching with Bailey Ober getting the last win in Toronto Sunday and the bullpen performing well. Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli says that group holds itself to a high standard.
"They're going to always want more, they're going to want six, seven innings with no runs. If they don't have that, they're not super pleased with what they're doing. But that's holding yourself to a high standard. I think they've been doing a real nice job for us," Baldelli explained.
It's been quite a streak for the Twins who have played well for three straight weeks.
"When you have a chance to win every game, it keeps everyboyd involved, it keeps your mind really focused, razor-sharp where you want to be," says Baldelli.
SERIES PREVIEW
New York Yankees (27-15, second in the AL East) vs. Minnesota Twins (24-16, second in the AL Central)
Minneapolis; Tuesday, 6:40 p.m., 6:00 p.m. pregame on WCCO Radio and the Audacy App with Kris Atteberry (play-by-play) and Paul Molitor (analyst). Wednesday, 6:40 p.m. and Thursday 12:10 p.m.
PITCHING PROBABLES: Yankees: Carlos Rodon (3-2, 3.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 43 strikeouts); Twins: Chris Paddack (4-1, 4.34 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 37 strikeouts). Game 2: Twins Lopez and Yankees Stroman. Game 3: Twins Ryan and Yankees Schmidt.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Yankees -139, Twins +117; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins host the New York Yankees to start a three-game series.
Minnesota has a 24-16 record overall and an 11-8 record at home. The Twins have a 12-2 record in games when they did not give up a home run.
New York has a 14-9 record in road games and a 27-15 record overall. The Yankees have the eighth-best team batting average in MLB play at .249.
The matchup Tuesday is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Jeffers leads the Twins with nine home runs while slugging .608. Max Kepler is 15-for-35 with seven doubles, two home runs and seven RBI over the past 10 games.
Juan Soto has seven doubles, a triple, nine home runs and 34 RBI for the Yankees. Aaron Judge is 12-for-33 with four doubles, four home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 7-3, .247 batting average, 4.04 ERA, outscored opponents by 12 runs
Yankees: 7-3, .261 batting average, 3.52 ERA, outscored opponents by 13 runs
INJURIES: Twins: Brock Stewart: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Byron Buxton: 10-Day IL (knee), Daniel Duarte: 60-Day IL (tricep), Zack Weiss: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Royce Lewis: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Justin Topa: 15-Day IL (knee), Anthony DeSclafani: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josh Winder: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Yankees: Jonathan Loaisiga: 60-Day IL (elbow), JT Brubaker: 60-Day IL (elbow), DJ LeMahieu: 10-Day IL (foot), Oswald Peraza: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Tommy Kahnle: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lou Trivino: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jasson Dominguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Scott Effross: 60-Day IL (back)
The Associated Press contributed to this story.