Kelly: Drew Gilbert just homered and drove in two more runs to lead the Giants past the Twins 5-2, snapping San Francisco's own three-game skid. If you thought the injury list was bad before, wait until you hear who is still out for Minnesota tonight.
Gary: It is a grim reality check. We are down to our last few days of the season, and the Twins are sitting at 73-84, fourth in the AL Central. But the story isn't just the record; it's the sheer volume of bodies on the 10-day and 60-day lists right now.
Kelly: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every pitch, every play, and every injury report so you never miss a beat. I'm Kelly, and I'm joined by my analyst Gary, who knows the rotation better than the managers themselves. Good evening, Twin Town!
Gary: Good evening, everyone. It is September 22nd, 2026. We are looking ahead to tonight’s game against the San Francisco Giants. The Giants hold a 1-0 series lead after that 5-2 victory last night. We have got a lot to unpack regarding the pitching matchup and the depleted roster.
Kelly: Here is what we are tackling today. First, we will look at the pitching probables and how Dean Kremer stacks up against the Giants' lineup after his dominant performance against the Angels. Second, we will dive into the massive injury crisis—Willy Adames, Byron Buxton, Bryce Eldridge, and others—are they back? And finally, we will give you our keys to the series and a bold prediction for Game Two.
Gary: And remember, last time we predicted a Twins win based on pitching depth, but we also saw Taylor Rogers get burned in an 11-inning loss to the Angels earlier this week. So, let's see if that depth holds up against a Giants team that is suddenly finding its offensive rhythm with Drew Gilbert leading the charge.
Kelly: Let's jump right into Segment One. The Giants won last night 5-2. Alan Roden had a monster game against the Angels with a three-run homer, but tonight it is about whether Minnesota can stop San Francisco's bats. Who is starting for the Twins?
Gary: Dean Kremer is getting the start. He came off the mound against the Angels and yielded only one hit over six stellar innings while Alan Roden went yard. That was a statement win, an 8-0 rout. But the Giants are a different animal, especially with their home crowd behind them.
Kelly: Six innings, one hit. That sounds like a quality start waiting to happen. But Gary, you mentioned the Giants' offense. Drew Gilbert was the hero last night. How concerned are you about Kremer facing that lineup again?
Gary: I am moderately concerned. Gilbert homered and had a two-run single. That shows he has plate discipline and can punish mistakes. Kremer needs to be precise with his location. If he leaves anything over the middle of the plate, Gilbert will turn on it. The Giants are playing with house money here, trying to take the series lead.
Kelly: Right. And the Twins need to avoid going down 1-0 in the series. Last night was tough. Christian Moore hit that bases-loaded infield single off Taylor Rogers in the 11th to beat the Angels. That kind of bullpen fatigue or miscommunication can haunt you.
Gary: Exactly. Rogers is a veteran, but when you are dealing with high-leverage situations and limited rest, things can get messy. Kremer has to go deep into this game to save the bullpen. If he gets five or six solid innings, it gives Jeff Hoffman or A.J. Minter a chance to close it out without being stretched too thin.
Kelly: So the key for Kremer is efficiency. Strikeouts, ground balls, keeping the pitch count down. If he goes seven, we are happy. If he goes four and gives up three runs, we are in trouble. Let's talk about the other side of the ball. The Twins' offense struggled last night.
Gary: They did. The scoring leaders were non-existent for Minnesota. No one stepped up. This is where the injuries hurt. You do not have Willy Adames driving in runs. You do not have Byron Buxton providing that extra defensive range and power threat. You do not have Bryce Eldridge in the mix.
Kelly: That is nine players on the injured list total, including Matt Gage and Gary Paredes on the 60-day IL. It is a logistical nightmare for the manager. Who is actually playing tonight? Is Walker Jenkins ready to carry the load?
Gary: Walker Jenkins is in center field. He is young, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. Austin Martin is in right. Brooks Lee at third. Josh Bell at DH. These guys need to produce. Jenkins had some great moments in spring training and early call-ups, but consistency is the challenge.
Kelly: We predicted a Twins win last time based on Jenkins and Bell, but the Angels beat us there with that 6-5 thriller. Tonight, against the Giants, it feels like the pitching has to carry the day. Let's pause here for a quick word from our listeners who keep this show free.
Kelly: Hey fans, we want to remind you that Beatline stays completely free for you, with zero ads and no paywall. That freedom exists because of supporters like you. If you love the daily baseball coverage, please chip in via the link in the episode description. It helps us keep the lights on and the analysis sharp.
Gary: Seriously, it means the world. We do this because we love the game, and your support lets us dig into the stats and bring you these previews without interruption. Check the link in the description if you can help out. Now, let's get back to the injuries.
Kelly: Back to Segment Two. We talked about the starters, but the bullpen and the lineup holes are critical. Let's look at the injury report specifically. Who is out, and who is available?
Gary: The big names out are Willy Adames on the 10-day IL, Byron Buxton on the 10-day IL, and Bryce Eldridge on the 7-day IL. Also out are JT Brubaker, Matt Gage, Nate Furman, Gary Paredes, Mick Abel, Kaelen Culpepper, and Trevor Larnach. That is a huge chunk of the roster.
Kelly: Nine players on IL. That is staggering. Trevor Larnach and Byron Buxton are gone. That affects both the outfield defense and the left-handed power in the lineup. How does that change the strategy for the Twins?
Gary: It forces them to rely on platoon splits and younger players. Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins are likely getting more at-bats. Josh Bell provides stability at DH. But you lose that veteran presence. Adames is a run-producer. Without him, the middle of the order loses teeth.
Kelly: So, Aaron Sabato might see more time at first base alongside Royce Lewis? Or is Lewis still working his way back?
Gary: Royce Lewis is healthy enough to play, which is a boost. But having Sabato as a backup or platoon option adds flexibility. The issue is the everyday spots. Ryan Kreidler and Ben Ross are sharing shortstop duties since Adames is out. Luke Keaschall and Kody Clemens are handling second base.
Kelly: Defensively, that looks like a shuffle. Against a Giants team that just scored five runs, can this makeshift infield hold up? What about the catching tandem? Victor Caratini and Ryan Jeffers are both listed as available.
Gary: Caratini and Jeffers are crucial. They need to manage the pitcher effectively, especially if Kremer struggles early. Jeffers has been solid defensively, and Caratini brings experience. But if the Giants are hitting .300 or something like that, those catchers need to frame pitches perfectly to keep the strike zone tight.
Kelly: And the bullpen? We have Travis Adams, Taj Bradley, Kody Funderburk, Yoendrys Gomez, Jeff Hoffman, Andrew Morris, Tommy Nance, A.J. Minter, and Taylor Rogers. That is a lot of arms, but some are relievers, some are spot starters.
Gary: Taj Bradley is a starter, but he could be used in long relief if needed. Jeff Hoffman and A.J. Minter are the setup men. Taylor Rogers is the closer, but as we saw, he can be vulnerable in high-pressure, late-inning situations. The manager has to be careful not to overuse anyone.
Kelly: Last night, the Giants' Drew Gilbert had a huge night. He homered and had a two-run single. How do you match up against a guy like that? Does Jeff Hoffman face him?
Gary: If Gilbert comes up in the late innings, Hoffman is a good bet. He has the stuff to miss bats. But if it is early, maybe you bring in Yoendrys Gomez or Kody Funderburk to get through the lineup. The key is recognizing Gilbert's swing path and attacking his weaknesses.
Kelly: Gilbert is a left-handed hitter, I believe? Or is he switch-hitting?
Gary: He bats left. So you would definitely want a right-handed specialist if possible. But with the current roster construction, you might not have a pure LOOGY. You have to go with whoever has the best command that night. It is a gamble.
Kelly: Gambling is not ideal when you are down a series and down by two games overall in the standings. Let's move to Segment Three. Keys to the series and our predictions. What are the three keys for the Twins tonight?
Gary: Key number one: Dean Kremer must eat innings. Five or six minimum. If he goes deeper, the bullpen stays fresh. Key number two: The top of the order—Jenkins, Martin, Lee—must generate early offense. If they score two or three runs in the first four innings, it takes pressure off the staff.
Kelly: And key number three?
Gary: Key number three: Defense. With the infield shuffled, they cannot afford errors. Every error against a Giants team that is feeling confident after that win is a gift. They need to play crisp baseball.
Kelly: I agree. And for me, the wildcard is Josh Bell. If he can drive in runs from the DH spot, it helps offset the lack of power from the middle of the lineup. What is your bold prediction for tonight?
Gary: I am going to predict a Twins win. 4-2. Kremer pitches well, Jenkins has a big hit, and the bullpen holds on. I know the Giants won last night, but the Twins have the pitching depth to bounce back. Remember, we predicted a win based on pitching depth last time, and even though we lost the game, the underlying metrics were there.
Kelly: Interesting. I am going to go with the Giants. They have momentum. Drew Gilbert is hot. The home crowd is energized. I think San Francisco wins 5-3. Gilbert goes yard again, and the Twins' bullpen cracks under the pressure of the late-inning situation.
Gary: I respect that, Kelly. But I think Kremer is due for another strong outing. The Giants are good, but the Twins are desperate. Desperation often fuels a win in these final stretch games.
Kelly: We shall see. Either way, it is a crucial game. A loss puts them further behind in the standings. A win keeps them alive in the wild-card hunt, however slim. Let's wrap up. What is the takeaway for the fans?
Gary: The takeaway is resilience. Nine players on the IL is a test of character. If they can win tonight, it shows true team depth. If they lose, it highlights the challenges of managing a depleted roster. Either way, watch Kremer.
Kelly: Well said. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this preview, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share it with a fellow Twin fan! Go Twins!
Gary: Thanks, Kelly. See you next time.