Winter in Minneapolis usually means hockey and avoiding the wind chill. But if you're a baseball fan, you're looking at the calendar. You're probably also looking at that final Minnesota Twins baseball score from the 2025 season—70 wins and 92 losses—and wondering what on earth happened. It was a rough one. The Twins finished fourth in the American League Central, 18 games behind the Cleveland Guardians.
Honestly? It felt longer than 162 games.
But the score on the board at the end of September doesn't tell the whole story of where this team is heading as we approach the 2026 season. We are currently in that weird "dead zone" of January where the only scores that matter are the ones on the back of a baseball card or a new contract.
The Numbers That Defined the 2025 Struggle
When you look at the Minnesota Twins baseball score trends from last year, the pitching was the glaring issue. The team ERA ballooned to 4.55, ranking them 24th in the league. That is hard to watch. Pablo López, who we all count on to be the "ace," had a scary moment in September with a forearm strain. Luckily, he’s back on the active roster now, but that dip in reliability really hurt the win-loss column.
Bailey Ober was another tough story. He stayed healthy for 146.1 innings but ended up with a 5.10 ERA. That’s his worst professional showing so far. Because of that, the Twins front office had a busy start to January, recently signing Ober to a one-year, $5.2 million deal to avoid arbitration. It’s a "prove it" year for him.
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Hitting wasn't exactly a powerhouse either, though there were bright spots.
- Byron Buxton somehow stayed on the field enough to blast 35 home runs.
- Matt Wallner emerged as a legitimate threat with 22 homers.
- Royce Lewis remains the most exciting player in the lineup, even if we’re always holding our breath when he slides into second.
The Twins finished with a team batting average of .238. In the modern game, that’s not necessarily a death sentence, but when your pitching is giving up four or five runs a game, you simply can't keep up.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule and Spring Training
We are officially less than a month away from seeing a live Minnesota Twins baseball score again. Spring Training kicks off in Fort Myers at the Lee Health Sports Complex very soon.
The first "game" is actually an exhibition against the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers on February 20, 2026. It’s a local tradition, a bit of a "rust-shaker" for the pros. After that, the real Grapefruit League action starts on February 21 against the Boston Red Sox.
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If you’re planning a trip down to Florida, keep an eye on these specific matchups:
- March 4 vs. Puerto Rico: This is a special World Baseball Classic exhibition.
- March 19 vs. Philadelphia (Spring Breakout): This is where you see the top prospects like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
The regular season officially begins on March 26, 2026, on the road against the Baltimore Orioles. It’s a tough draw. Baltimore is young, fast, and plays in a park that has become a nightmare for right-handed power hitters. The Twins don't get their home opener at Target Field until April 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Offseason Moves: Trying to Fix the Bullpen
You can't talk about the score without talking about the guys finishing the games. Last year’s trade deadline was a "fire sale." They moved Jhoan Durán and Griffin Jax, which basically left the bullpen in shambles.
Right now, the projected bullpen for 2026 looks a bit thin. You've got Justin Topa, Cole Sands, and Eric Orze. That's why the rumors about Seranthony Domínguez are so interesting. The Twins "briefly inquired" about the right-hander recently. He’s a veteran who could actually stabilize the late innings.
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They also made a move for some veteran "thump" in the lineup by signing Josh Bell to a one-year, $7 million deal in late December. Bell isn't the superstar he was five years ago, but he hit .286 with 11 homers in the back half of last season. He’s a professional hitter. He’s the kind of guy who turns a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead with one swing.
Why the AL Central is Wide Open
The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians are currently the big dogs in the division, but the AL Central is notoriously fickle. A 70-92 team can become an 85-win team very quickly if two or three pitchers rediscover their form.
Basically, the Twins are betting on health. If Royce Lewis plays 140 games and Pablo López returns to his 2023 form, the Minnesota Twins baseball score on any given night is going to look a lot better.
The team also acquired Eric Wagaman from Miami earlier this month. He’s a 28-year-old rookie who put up decent numbers for the Marlins. He’s not a "save the franchise" move, but he adds depth. Depth was something this team lacked desperately in 2025.
What You Should Do Now
If you want to stay on top of the team as they head into 2026, here is the best way to track the progress:
- Check the Spring Training Broadcasts: Many of the games in late February will be on Bally Sports North (or whatever the new regional sports network ends up being called by then) and MLB.tv.
- Follow the Prospects: Watch the "Spring Breakout" game on March 19. It’s the best indicator of whether the Twins have the "next wave" of talent ready to fill in when the inevitable injuries happen.
- Set Your Alerts for March 26: Opening Day scores are the ultimate reset button. Forget the 92 losses from last year; everyone starts at 0-0.
The roster isn't perfect, and the payroll is still a point of contention for many fans in the Twin Cities. But with guys like Buxton and Lewis in the lineup, there is always a chance for something special. Keep an eye on the box scores starting in February—that’s when we’ll see if the "2026 version" of this team has actually learned from the mistakes of the past.