The Minnesota Twins welcome the Athletics to Target Field on Sunday, July 26, for a 2:10 PM ET afternoon matchup. Left-hander Connor Prielipp gets the ball for Minnesota, squaring off against Jeffrey Springs in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel. With the dog days of summer here, every game carries roster and momentum implications — and the Twins will look to take care of business at home against an Athletics club that has rebuilt around a promising young core.

Pitching Matchup: Connor Prielipp vs. Jeffrey Springs

Connor Prielipp is the story on the Minnesota side. The 25-year-old left-hander has been one of the more watched arms in the Twins organization, and every start at this stage of the season is a chance to cement his standing in the rotation picture. Prielipp has the kind of stuff that generates buzz, and a strong outing against a lineup he hasn't faced extensively would be a meaningful step forward. The Target Field crowd gives him a home-field edge to work with.

Jeffrey Springs takes the hill for Oakland. The veteran left-hander has shown the ability to keep lineups off-balance when healthy and commanding his pitches. Minnesota's lineup will need to be patient and work counts if Springs is on his game — getting deep into counts early should be a priority.

Minnesota Twins Lineup

• 1. Austin Martin, LF
• 2. Byron Buxton, DH
• 3. Ryan Jeffers, C
• 4. Royce Lewis, 2B
• 5. Kody Clemens, RF
• 6. Luke Keaschall, CF
• 7. Alex Jackson, 1B
• 8. Brooks Lee, 3B
• 9. Ryan Kreidler, SS

Athletics Lineup

• 1. Jacob Wilson, DH
• 2. Nick Kurtz, 1B
• 3. Jonah Heim, C
• 4. Tyler Soderstrom, LF
• 5. Tommy White, 3B
• 6. Colby Thomas, RF
• 7. Alika Williams, SS
• 8. Jeff McNeil, 2B
• 9. Henry Bolte, CF

Keys to Watch

How Long Can Prielipp Go?

Workload management is always a factor with a young arm, but Prielipp needs to demonstrate he can navigate a lineup multiple times through. Getting through five-plus innings cleanly would be a genuine win — both for the box score and for his own development case.

Buxton in the Lineup

Byron Buxton slotting in at DH and batting second is notable. Keeping Buxton healthy while keeping his bat in the order is a balance the Twins have managed carefully. When he's in the lineup, the offensive ceiling rises considerably — his presence at the two-hole puts pressure on Springs from the start.

Royce Lewis Protecting the Lineup

Lewis batting cleanup is worth watching. His presence in the four-spot gives the Twins a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat. If Lewis can do damage against a left-hander in Springs, it opens up the whole lineup around him.

Oakland's Young Talent

Don't sleep on the A's. Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom are legitimate young hitters, and Jacob Wilson gives Oakland a dangerous table-setter. Prielipp will need to be sharp — this is not a lineup you can cruise through.

Prediction

Minnesota wins this one at home. Prielipp delivers a quality start, the Twins offense does enough damage against Springs in the middle innings, and Target Field sees a Sunday afternoon victory. Twins 5, Athletics 3.