The Minnesota Twins host the Atlanta Braves at Target Field on Monday, August 17, 2026, with first pitch set for 7:40 PM ET. Bailey Ober gets the ball for Minnesota against former Twin Martín Pérez, who takes the mound for Atlanta. This is a regular season matchup with playoff positioning implications for both clubs, making it a game worth circling on the calendar for Twins fans tuning in on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or listening on WCCO 830.

Probable Pitchers: Bailey Ober vs. Martín Pérez

Bailey Ober is Minnesota's assignment on the mound Monday night. The big right-hander has established himself as one of the Twins' most reliable rotation pieces, and Target Field's spacious dimensions tend to play to his strengths. Ober's ability to generate weak contact and work deep into games gives the Twins a genuine chance to control this one from the jump.

Opposing him is Martín Pérez, a name that carries real history in Minnesota. Pérez wore a Twins uniform for several seasons before moving on, so there's familiarity on both sides. The Twins' hitters have faced him enough times to have a book on his tendencies, and that institutional knowledge could prove valuable as the at-bats stack up.

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup

• 1. Luke Keaschall — RF
• 2. Byron Buxton — CF
• 3. Ryan Jeffers — C
• 4. Josh Bell — DH
• 5. Royce Lewis — 1B
• 6. Kody Clemens — 2B
• 7. Brooks Lee — 3B
• 8. Kaelen Culpepper — SS
• 9. Alan Roden — LF

Keys to Watch Monday Night

Buxton Sets the Tone Early

Byron Buxton batting second is a statement of intent. When Buxton is locked in and running at full throttle, he changes the entire complexion of a ballgame. His ability to put the ball in play hard and cover ground in center field gives the Twins an edge on both sides of the ball. The Braves' pitching staff will need to account for him every single at-bat.

Royce Lewis and Josh Bell in the Heart of the Order

With Josh Bell at cleanup and Royce Lewis hitting fifth, Minnesota has legitimate run-producing punch in the middle of this lineup. The Twins need those two to be productive against Pérez, particularly if Atlanta's offense gets into the bullpen early and forces Minnesota to answer. Lewis at first base also simplifies the defensive alignment in what should be a clean infield behind Ober.

Young Players Getting Opportunities

Luke Keaschall leading off and Kaelen Culpepper hitting eighth represent the organization's investment in younger talent. Brooks Lee at third rounds out a lineup that blends veterans and developing players. How those younger contributors perform against a seasoned arm like Pérez will be one of the more telling subplots of this game.

Prediction

Target Field is a good home for Bailey Ober's pitch-to-contact approach, and the familiarity Minnesota's hitters have with Martín Pérez is a real advantage. Expect the Twins to generate enough offense through Buxton, Bell, and Lewis to give Ober the cushion he needs. Twins win, 4–2.