Astros vs Twins Preview: New Era Meets Reliable Depth

The Astros are starting fresh after losing ace Framber Valdez. Hunter Brown now leads the rotation, but he's currently injured with a strain. This means Mike Burrows gets the start against Minnesota today. The good news? Houston still has Josh Hader, one of baseball's best closers. When Hader pitches late in games, the Astros have a real chance to win close matchups. The team also added Tatsuya Imai from Japan, hoping he'll help immediately. Although the rotation is changing, Houston's bullpen strength gives them hope during this transition period.

Minnesota's pitching relies on depth and consistency rather than one superstar. Joe Ryan leads the rotation as a reliable starter who delivers strong outings regularly. Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson provide solid backup support. Taylor Rogers handles closing duties in the bullpen. The Twins may not have flashy names, but their pitchers keep games competitive night after night. However, the team faces multiple injuries in their pitching staff. Despite these challenges, Minnesota's rotating cast of hurlers gives them a fighting chance today against Houston's transitional roster.

Yordan Alvarez is one of baseball's best hitters when healthy. He combines incredible power with a near-.300 batting average. However, injuries limited him last season, keeping him sidelined frequently. Jeremy Peña has been amazing since winning World Series MVP honors. He's improved his hitting each year and steals bases consistently. On Minnesota's side, Byron Buxton is the franchise's face. Last season he finally stayed healthy, playing 126 games and hitting about 35 home runs. Both teams are hoping their star players can stay on the field and perform.

Houston brings a 20-30 record while Minnesota sits at 22-27. Both teams are fighting to stay competitive as the season progresses. The Astros won their last matchup against the Twins 2-1, showing they can compete in tight games. Today's weather at Target Field looks clear, perfect for baseball. Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Peña lead Houston's offense when healthy. Byron Buxton provides dynamic play in center field for Minnesota. This mid-week contest matters greatly for both squads as they push toward summer baseball. The winner gains crucial momentum heading forward.