Happy Opening Day Minnesota Twins fans!
It began with the annual Breakfast on the Plaza for the Twins home opener, and it would be a first day for the Twins at home without fan Joan Rivett.
The Minneapolis resident was once again first in line with Twins staffers began giving out breakfast hot dogs outside of the ballpark. She talked with WCCO's Jimmy Erickson.
"It's our family tradition, Jimmy. It's so cold, i's so cold, but I only live eight blocks from here," said Rivett. "That's why I moved to the North Loop in 2010, to be by the ballpark."
The Twins and Tampa Bay will begin their three-game set with a rare Friday afternoon home opener at Target Field.
Bailey Ober is the starting pitcher for the Twins against Joe Boyle of the Rays. This is the first time Ober has started the Twins home opener.
And of course, there are plenty of things to do at Target Field beyond what is happening on the field with the team. Debuting this year is a new Twins’ pregame happy hour, which features food and beverage deals and live music from the time gates open through scheduled first pitch on Fridays and Saturday. That means $2 beers and $2 food. Those two-buck beers include 12-ounce cans of Bud, Bud Light and Summit Twins Pils. Food options include hot dogs and various ballpark snacks.
All $2 food and beverage items are available at select concession stands located throughout Target Field from 1:00-3:10 p.m ahead of the home opener Friday, and throughout the season.
MORE: See an entire list of the new food and drink options at Target Field for 2026.
Tampa Bay Rays (2-4) vs. Minnesota Twins (2-4)
Minneapolis; Friday, 3:10 p.m. (Pregame 2:30 p.m. on 830 WCCO and the Audacy App)
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Joe Boyle (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, four strikeouts); Twins: Bailey Ober (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, one strikeout)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -112, Rays -107; over/under is 7 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Twins begin a three-game series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday.
Minnesota had a 70-92 record overall and a 38-43 record at home last season. The Twins scored 4.2 runs per game in the 2025 season while allowing 4.8.
Tampa Bay went 77-85 overall and 36-45 on the road last season. The Rays pitching staff had a collective 3.95 ERA while averaging 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2025 season.
INJURIES: Twins: David Festa: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Travis Adams: 15-Day IL (tricep), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rays: Steven Wilson: 60-Day IL (back), Edwin Uceta: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Gavin Lux: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Ryan Pepiot: 15-Day IL (hip), Manuel Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Taylor Walls: 10-Day IL (oblique)
