The Minnesota Twins head to Progressive Field on Thursday, July 23, for a 1:10 PM ET matinee against the Cleveland Guardians, with right-hander Taj Bradley taking the ball for Minnesota opposite Cleveland's Gavin Williams. It's a division matchup that carries genuine AL Central implications — two clubs that know each other well and have every reason to compete hard in late July. Twins fans can catch the action on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or radio on WCCO 830 and The Wolf 102.9 FM.

Twins vs. Guardians Pitching Matchup: Taj Bradley vs. Gavin Williams

Bradley gets the assignment for Minnesota in what figures to be a pivotal start. The right-hander has worked to establish himself in the Twins rotation, and a road start against a loaded Cleveland lineup is exactly the kind of challenge that reveals where a pitcher actually stands heading deeper into the summer. Williams counters for the Guardians, a physical right-hander with premium stuff who gives Cleveland a legitimate frontline option on a day when the home crowd will be loud and engaged.

Specific ERA and win-loss numbers for both starters are not available heading into Thursday's first pitch, but the names alone signal that run-scoring won't come easy for either side. Both pitchers have the capacity to dominate a lineup when they're on, which puts a premium on baserunning, situational hitting, and smart at-bats early in the count.

Cleveland Guardians Lineup to Watch

The Guardians are sending out a formidable group on Thursday. Steven Kwan leads things off from left field, with José Ramírez — one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League — slotted into the two-hole at third base. That 1-2 combination at the top of Cleveland's order demands Bradley's full attention from the first pitch of the ballgame.

• Steven Kwan (LF, leadoff) is a patient, contact-oriented threat who makes pitchers work for every out.
• José Ramírez (3B, No. 2) is the engine of this Cleveland offense and capable of changing a game at any moment.
• Chase DeLauter (RF, No. 3) gives Cleveland a young bat with upside in the middle of the order.
• Brayan Rocchio (SS, No. 4) has grown into a legitimate run-producer at the clean-up spot.
• Travis Bazzana (2B, No. 5) and Rhys Hoskins (DH, No. 6) keep the pressure on deep into the lineup.

Minnesota's lineup has not been confirmed ahead of first pitch, so how Twins manager Rocco Baldelli constructs his order will be one of the early storylines to monitor once lineups drop.

Keys to the Game for Minnesota

• Bradley navigating Ramírez: How Taj Bradley handles José Ramírez — and whether he can limit the damage when Ramírez reaches base — will go a long way toward determining the outcome.
• Early offense against Williams: Gavin Williams can be tough to solve once he settles in. The Twins need to put together quality at-bats early and not let Williams get comfortable.
• Bullpen depth: A 1:10 PM start in July heat at Progressive Field means pitch counts can climb. Minnesota's relief corps will likely be called upon, and how that group responds matters.

Prediction

This is a low-scoring game waiting to happen. Both starters have the ability to suppress runs, and Cleveland's lineup — anchored by Kwan and Ramírez — creates enough havoc to keep Minnesota's pitching honest. The Twins have the talent to steal one on the road, but the Guardians at Progressive Field in July are a difficult out. Expect a tight, competitive game that comes down to late-inning execution. Guardians 3, Twins 2 in a game that goes at least eight innings before a decision is reached.