The Minnesota Twins wrap up their Sunday afternoon homestand against the Athletics at Target Field, with first pitch set for 2:10 PM ET on July 26. Left-hander Connor Prielipp gets the ball for Minnesota against Jeffrey Springs, who takes the mound for Oakland. With the second half of the 2026 season in full swing, every game in a divisional context carries weight, and the Twins will be looking to take care of business in front of their home crowd on a summer Sunday afternoon.
Starting Pitching Matchup: Prielipp vs. Springs
Connor Prielipp is the story here for Minnesota. The young left-hander has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Twins system, and his development on the big-league stage is something worth tracking closely every time he takes the ball. Pitching at Target Field in front of a supportive crowd is never a bad situation for a pitcher still building his résumé at this level.
For the Athletics, Jeffrey Springs brings experience to the mound. Springs has pitched in high-leverage situations before and knows how to work through a lineup. He is not a pitcher opposing offenses should take lightly, and the Twins will need to be disciplined and patient if they want to put crooked numbers on the board early.
Keys to Watch for the Twins
- Prielipp's command: How the young southpaw handles the strike zone will set the tone. If he can work efficiently and limit deep counts, he gives Minnesota's bullpen a chance to stay fresh heading into the week.
- Offense against a crafty lefty: Springs can be tough on lineups that do not make him work. The Twins need to take pitches and look for opportunities to drive the ball rather than chasing early in the count.
- Bullpen management: With Prielipp still developing, Minnesota's staff will need to be ready to bridge innings if the starter's pitch count climbs faster than expected. How the Twins manage the back end of this game could matter as much as the start itself.
- Capitalizing at Target Field: Playing at home provides real advantages — crowd support, familiar conditions, and the comfort of a known environment. The Twins should use that edge.
Prediction
This is a game that hinges significantly on how Prielipp performs in his start. If he can get through five or six innings with reasonable efficiency and keep the Athletics lineup from doing damage, Minnesota's offense should have enough firepower to put together a productive afternoon against Springs. The Twins take this one at home, 4–2, with Prielipp delivering a quality enough outing to give the bullpen a manageable situation late.
Catch the game on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or listen on WCCO 830 AM in the Twin Cities.
