The Minnesota Twins head to Petco Park on Saturday, August 22, 2026, for a night matchup against the San Diego Padres with first pitch scheduled for 8:40 PM ET. Dean Kremer takes the ball for Minnesota against San Diego's Casey Mize in what shapes up as a pitching-driven contest on the West Coast. For a Twins club that carried Byron Buxton, Ryan Jeffers, and Royce Lewis into this road trip, the lineup has recognizable names capable of doing damage — but Petco Park is one of the toughest venues in the National League to generate offense, and the Padres are rolling out a formidable lineup of their own.

Dean Kremer vs. Casey Mize: Saturday Night Pitching Matchup

Kremer gets the start for the Twins. The right-hander has been part of Minnesota's rotation this season, and this assignment on the road against a lineup featuring Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jackson Merrill is no soft landing. The Padres counter with Casey Mize, who lines up for San Diego in this home start. Neither pitcher's current ERA or win-loss record is available heading into this game, so the matchup will have to speak for itself once the first pitch is thrown.

Twins Starting Lineup at Petco Park

• Luke Keaschall — RF
• Byron Buxton — CF
• Josh Bell — DH
• Ryan Jeffers — C
• Kody Clemens — 2B
• Royce Lewis — 1B
• Trevor Larnach — LF
• Brooks Lee — 3B
• Kaelen Culpepper — SS

Padres Starting Lineup

• Fernando Tatis Jr. — RF
• Jake Cronenworth — 2B
• Manny Machado — 3B
• Ty France — 1B
• Jackson Merrill — CF
• Luis Rengifo — LF
• Gavin Sheets — DH
• Xander Bogaerts — SS
• Freddy Fermin — C

Three Keys to Watch for the Twins

• Buxton at the plate and in center: Byron Buxton batting second signals the Twins want him in the middle of everything. His ability to get on base and cover ground in center field against a lineup built around Tatis and Merrill will matter on both sides of the ball.
• Kremer keeping the middle of San Diego's order in check: Machado, Tatis, and Merrill represent a legitimate threat. Kremer's ability to work efficiently and avoid big innings will be the central storyline of this start. Petco Park plays as a pitcher-friendly environment, which can work in his favor if he keeps the ball in the yard.
• Royce Lewis batting sixth: Lewis at first base and slotted sixth in the order is something to track. If he heats up in the middle of the road trip, he has the potential to move up in the lineup and become a more central offensive piece for Minnesota.

Prediction

This one has the feel of a low-scoring grind at a park that suppresses offense. The Padres have the lineup depth to make life uncomfortable for Kremer, and Mize at home gives San Diego an edge. That said, Buxton and Jeffers can flip a game quickly when they connect. Expect a tight contest decided by a bullpen move or a late extra-base hit. Edge to San Diego in a close one, 4-2.

Coverage starts at 8:40 PM ET. Catch it on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or listen on WCCO 830 AM and The Wolf 102.9 FM.