The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins are headed in opposite directions going into their three-game series, which will begin Monday night in Minneapolis.
The Yankees have won five of their past six games and are coming off a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Mets on Sunday in a clash that gave the Yankees the series win. With an 86-63 record, the Yankees are second in the American League East and comfortably in the top wild-card spot.
The Twins (70-79), on the other hand, have lost five of their past seven, including a 9-2 defeat to the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Sunday to lose the three-game series.
Thirteen losses in its last 20 games have virtually eliminated Minnesota from any postseason possibilities.
“It doesn’t feel like we’re far, but we’re far enough that we’re not in the conversation,” catcher Ryan Jeffers said.
But the Yankees are definitely in that conversation and are talking about who will play what role in October. Specifically, right-hander Will Warren (10-6, 4.05 ERA), who will start for New York on Monday. He has started and come out of the bullpen this season.
Warren won his last start, 6-1 over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday in a game in which he allowed a run and four hits over six innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts.
“He can serve a lot of roles potentially (in the playoffs),” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s been incredibly durable. But he’s got weapons.”
Warren has faced the Twins only once in his career and came out the winner. That was on Aug. 11, 2025, when he limited Minnesota to two runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings, didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven.
New York might get right-hander Clarke Schmidt back while in Minnesota. Schmidt, who had Tommy John surgery in July 2025, was set to travel with the team on Sunday and could be activated during the series.
The Yankees view him as a starter but will use him out of the bullpen, and that strategy could continue in October.
“I think it will shake itself out. I don’t think I’ll be throwing a lot of innings,” Schmidt said. “… And I don’t see myself going back-to-back. I want to work myself into leverage and pitch in big scenarios, and try to pitch as much as I can.”
The Twins will start right-hander Dean Kremer (3-5, 5.65 ERA) on Monday.
Kremer, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles before the trade deadline this season, also won his last start. In Minnesota’s 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, he allowed just two runs and five hits in five innings, with one walk and three strikeouts.
Kremer has seen a lot of the Yankees during his career, with 14 appearances (13 starts) against them. He’s 4-3 with a 4.08 ERA in those contests.
Kremer’s most recent appearance against the Yankees was his only relief outing against them. He did not allow a run or hit in 1 1/3 innings, with a walk and two strikeouts, last Sept. 28.
Twins first baseman Royce Lewis left Sunday’s game in the fifth inning with left shoulder soreness and is day-to-day.
–Field Level Media
