The Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies are heading in opposite directions as they prepare to play in the third edition of the MLB Field of Dreams game on Thursday in Dyersville, Iowa.
The Twins, who will serve as the home team, have won four of their last seven contests overall. The Phillies, in turn, have lost four of their last six games.
Recent fortunes aside, both clubs are keeping tabs on the standings in their respective leagues — and that’s what will drive both clubs despite the unfamiliar surroundings.
“I think the excitement of the day and what you’re doing and where you’re at is something that is really important,” Minnesota manager Derek Shelton said. “Now, the preparation portion of being in a race is something that we just have to get ahead of, as do the Phillies. They’re in a race, also. It’s not just unique to one team.”
The Twins saw seven different players both drive in and score a run in a 7-5 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday afternoon.
Royce Lewis, who had two doubles in the series finale versus the Orioles, has reached base in 23 of his past 24 games.
Josh Bell and Alan Roden each had three of the 14 hits for Minnesota.
The Twins also could receive a boost with the potential return of All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton, who has been sidelined since July 28 because of a right hip impingement. He has been participating in baseball activities over the past two games, leading some to believe his return is close.
“(Thursday) is a possibility,” Shelton said “I don’t want to say (Thursday) is the day (but) … we continue to add volume, and Monday was the big day of adding a ton of volume. We’ll see how he is (on Thursday).”
Minnesota will start Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.76 ERA) on Thursday against Philadelphia’s Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.47) in a battle of right-handers.
Bradley recorded his fourth straight no-decision and saw his winless stretch extend to five outings despite allowing three runs and five hits in five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
Bradley, 25, also received a no-decision in his lone encounter versus Philadelphia. He yielded four runs (three earned) on six hits in six innings in that 2024 contest.
Nola is mired in a 13-start winless stretch, during which he is 0-5. He received his second straight no-decision Saturday despite permitting two runs on six hits in five innings against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Nola, 33, is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in three career appearances (all starts) versus Minnesota.
Perhaps a homecoming of sorts for Phillies outfielder Derek Hill will be just what the doctor ordered. Hill is from Des Moines, just under three hours away from Dyersville.
“It’s pretty cool that they’re doing this, and that they built an actual stadium, like full-blown stadium there now. They’re taking it seriously,” Hill said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think that’s really cool. It’s bringing a lot of eyes and a lot of positivity to Iowa.”
–Field Level Media
