Carlos Santana is speaking from experience when he says the Minnesota Twins have a tight-knit clubhouse and a strong work ethic. Santana, 38, has played for seven teams in his 15-year career. This is his first season with the Twins, who will attempt to make it seven victories in a row when they face the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday evening in Minneapolis in the second game of a three-game series.
“The energy is great,” Santana added. “We play hard every day. I watch everyone prepping every day. We’re now playing for victories. We realize it’s a long season, and things go up and down, but right now we’re in a good situation.” Santana became the Twins’ latest hero on Tuesday, hitting a two-out, walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Twins to a 7-6 victory over the Rays in the series opener. Minnesota overcame a 4-0 deficit to claim win. The Rays will aim to rebound as they look to avoid losing their second series in a row.
Tampa Bay could be without right-hander Pete Fairbanks from the bullpen. Fairbanks departed Tuesday’s game with two outs in the ninth after being hit in the hand by a comebacker off the bat of Twins’ Carlos Correa, which went for a hit. The Rays reported that X-rays on Fairbanks, who had a bruised right thumb, came back negative. “I think Pete’ll be fine,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (5-5, 3.24 ERA) will make his 15th start of the season. He has recently made two excellent starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Oakland Athletics, surrendering two runs in seven innings each. Ryan will make his second career start against the Rays. He received a no-decision in his first game, allowing two runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings for a 3.86 ERA in a Twins victory last September. The Rays will reply with right-hander Taj Bradley (2-4, 4.23), who will make his ninth start in 2024. The 23-year-old has 50 strikeouts in 38 and 1/3 innings.
Bradley won in his most recent outing. He limited the Cubs to two unearned runs on three hits over seven innings, walking two and striking out a season-high 11. Last season, Bradley made one start against the Twins. He allowed four runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings for a 7.71 ERA but had no decision in his team’s 5-4 victory. Randy Arozarena will attempt to continue his run against the Twins. The Rays outfielder hit a three-run home run on Tuesday night, and he is hitting.353 (24-for-68) with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 19 career games versus the Twins.
Jose Caballero, a Rays infielder, should be available again after returning to the lineup for the series opener. Caballero had not played since Friday due to sickness and discomfort in his left leg. Minnesota is 23-14 at home. The Twins are 21-8 in their last 29 home games after starting 2-6 at Target Field. The Rays are 15–16 on the road.
