Honestly, looking at a Minnesota Twins box score from the end of last season is kinda like looking at a crime scene. You see the 70-92 record and you just want to look away. But if you’re actually trying to understand where this team is heading in 2026, those numbers tell a story that isn’t just "they lost a lot."
Baseball is weird. You can have a guy like Byron Buxton finally turn into a titanium version of himself, playing 126 games and mashing 35 home runs, yet the team still craters. It’s frustrating. It’s baseball.
The last time the Twins took the field for a meaningful game—back on September 28, 2025—they dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Phillies in extra innings. That game was basically a microcosm of the whole year. Good pitching, just enough defense, and an offense that decided to take the afternoon off when it mattered most.
Reading Between the Lines of the Minnesota Twins Box Score
When you pull up a box score, your eyes usually dart to the "R-H-E" line. Runs, hits, errors. Simple. But for the 2025 Twins, the real story was in the "LOB" (Left On Base) and the pitcher's usage.
Take that final loss in Philly. The Twins pitchers actually held a powerhouse Phillies lineup to just two runs over ten innings. That's incredible. But the box score showed a big fat zero in the RBI column for almost everyone not named Buxton.
🔗 Read more: Men's Sophie Cunningham Jersey: Why This Specific Kit is Selling Out Everywhere
Why the Pitching Stats are Deceptive
If you look at the season-long stats, the Twins ended up with a team ERA of 4.55. That ranked 24th in the league. Yikes.
But wait. Joe Ryan was a legitimate beast.
- Strikeouts: 194
- Innings: 171
- ERA: 3.42
Basically, when Joe Ryan was on the mound, the Minnesota Twins box score looked like a playoff team's summary. When he wasn't? Well, let’s just say the bullpen saw a lot of action they weren't ready for. The mid-season trades of Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax left a massive hole that the team is still trying to patch up with guys like Eric Orze and minor league flyers.
The Offseason Shakeup You'll See in 2026
The 2026 season opener is set for March 26 in Baltimore. That’s the earliest start in the history of the franchise. It's gonna be cold. It might even snow.
💡 You might also like: Why Netball Girls Sri Lanka Are Quietly Dominating Asian Sports
Because the front office moved Carlos Correa in a salary dump and fired Rocco Baldelli after the collapse, the 2026 box scores are going to look very different. No more Correa at short. Instead, we’re looking at a patchwork infield.
They just signed Victor Caratini to a deal to help Ryan Jeffers behind the plate. Jeffers was a bright spot last year, hitting .266 with a solid .356 OBP. Having two capable catchers is a luxury, especially since the Twins plan on rotating guys through the DH spot to keep them healthy.
The Vidal Bruján Gamble
The Twins recently claimed Vidal Bruján off waivers. If you look at his career box scores, it's... not pretty. He’s a career .199 hitter. But he plays every position except catcher. The Twins are clearly betting on "versatility over velocity" at the plate this year. It’s a move that feels very "Small Market 101," but hey, sometimes those scrap heap pickups turn into Willi Castro-style success stories.
Key Stats to Watch in the 2026 Opener
When that first Minnesota Twins box score drops from Camden Yards in March, don't just look at the score. Watch these specific categories:
📖 Related: Why Cumberland Valley Boys Basketball Dominates the Mid-Penn (and What’s Next)
- Walk Rate (BB%): Last year, guys like Royce Lewis saw their OBP dip because they were chasing. Lewis ended at .283 OBP—that has to change.
- Bullpen Inherited Runners: This was the silent killer in 2025. The relief squad couldn't strand anyone.
- Exit Velocity: Keep an eye on Matt Wallner. He hit 22 homers last year and has the kind of raw power that makes scouts drool.
The schedule is brutal early on. They play 29 of their first 50 games at Target Field. In April. In Minnesota. That means we’re going to see a lot of low-scoring, "small ball" box scores where one error or one stolen base decides the game.
The departure of Max Kepler (who is currently dealing with a PED suspension after a stint with the Phillies) marks the true end of an era. This is a younger, cheaper, and arguably riskier roster.
To get ahead of the 2026 season, start tracking the spring training box scores starting in late February. Watch how the team handles the "Rivalry Weekend" series against Milwaukee in May. That’s usually a good barometer for whether the pitching depth is real or just a mirage. Check the waiver wire often, because as we saw with the Bruján move, this front office is going to be shuffling the deck right up until Opening Day.