Rockies Visit Target Field With Two Struggling Rosters and Big Bats

Two teams sitting below .500 meet at Target Field on Sunday afternoon, and the gap between them is narrower than the standings suggest. Our model doesn't have a strong lean on this one — which, given the personnel involved, is entirely reasonable.

Colorado comes in at 33-50, Minnesota at 39-45 — neither club is inspiring confidence at this stage of the summer, but both have legitimate offensive threats that could make this afternoon interesting. Ryan Feltner is expected to take the mound for the Rockies, while Connor Prielipp is set to start for the Twins. Two pitchers without the kind of name recognition that scares opposing lineups, which means the bats are going to matter more than the arms today.

On the Colorado side, Hunter Goodman is the number to watch: 25 home runs and 47 RBI make him one of the more quietly dangerous power hitters in the National League, regardless of where his team sits in the standings. Troy Johnston is also worth tracking — a .312 batting average is legitimate production, and he gives the Rockies a contact option at the top of the order to set the table for Goodman's pop. Minnesota counters with Byron Buxton, who matches Goodman's 25 home runs and is hitting .272 — a healthy Buxton is a genuine difference-maker, and his presence alone changes how opposing pitchers approach the Twins lineup. Josh Bell leads Minnesota with 51 RBI, giving the Twins a credible run-producer behind Buxton in the order.

Our model doesn't have a validated read on this game, and honestly, that tracks. When you've got two sub-.500 teams, two pitchers with uncertain track records at this level, and power threats on both sides capable of flipping a game with one swing, the variance is high. This feels like a game that gets decided in a three-run inning rather than by any strategic edge. Watch Goodman and Buxton — if either one gets a pitch to drive, this game could turn fast.