The Minnesota Twins host the Cleveland Guardians at Target Field on Sunday, September 13, 2026, with first pitch set for 2:10 PM ET. This AL Central divisional matchup carries real weight late in the regular season, with both clubs fully aware that games against a division rival can swing the standings in a hurry. Cleveland sends Tanner Bibee to the mound. Minnesota's starter has not been confirmed. Catch the game on Twins.TV Presented by Progressive or locally on WCCO 830 AM.
Pitching Matchup: Tanner Bibee Starts for Cleveland
Bibee is the known quantity heading into Sunday. The right-hander has been one of Cleveland's most relied-upon starters and gives the Guardians a legitimate arm to build a game plan around. Minnesota's lineup will need to work counts and manufacture traffic against him — Bibee is not a pitcher who beats himself.
The Twins' starting pitcher has not been announced. That's a notable unknown heading into a divisional game of this caliber. Whether Minnesota turns to an established rotation piece or makes a surprise move, Rocco Baldelli will need his guy to match Bibee's competitiveness inning for inning. Keep an eye on the pregame lineup card for that confirmation.
Keys to Watch Sunday Afternoon
- Identify the Twins' starter: Until Minnesota names its pitcher, the matchup is lopsided in terms of information. Whoever gets the ball needs to establish early command against a Cleveland lineup that knows how to make pitchers work.
- Traffic against Bibee: Cleveland's starter is capable of suppressing a lineup for six-plus innings if Minnesota swings at his pitches early. Patient at-bats and baserunners are the formula.
- Bullpen depth: Late September means roster depth matters. Both clubs are managing arms carefully. Which bullpen holds up in the middle innings could decide this one.
- Target Field crowd energy: A Sunday afternoon home game against a division rival late in the regular season brings out real baseball fans. The Twins have used that home energy before — they'll need it Sunday.
Prediction
This is a divisional game with standings implications, and those tend to be grinders. Cleveland gets a confirmed starter in Bibee, which is an organizational advantage heading into Sunday. Until Minnesota names its pitcher, it's difficult to project the pitching side of the ledger with confidence. What we do know is the Twins are at home, the crowd will be engaged, and AL Central games at this point in the year don't have throwaway innings. Expect a tight, competitive game. If the Twins' lineup can get to Bibee in the middle innings and the bullpen answers late, Minnesota takes this one. Edge: Guardians by a slim margin until that Twins starter is confirmed — but don't sleep on the home side.
