Twins and Angels Meet in a Battle of Irrelevance at Angel Stadium
Two teams well below .500 close out their 2026 seasons with nothing but pride on the line — and even that's a stretch. Minnesota (71-82) visits Los Angeles (59-94) tonight at Angel Stadium for a 9:38 PM ET first pitch, and the most interesting storyline may be what happens between the white lines rather than in the standings.
Connor Prielipp is expected to take the mound for the Twins, while Grayson Rodriguez is set to start for the Angels — a pitching matchup that carries genuine intrigue even if the surrounding context is bleak. Both arms will be operating behind offenses that have had their moments this season, and late-September starts often carry their own unpredictable energy. Minnesota enters having played meaningful baseball longer than their hosts — 12 more wins on the year — but neither club is going anywhere, which makes individual performances the only real currency tonight.
On the Minnesota side, keep your eyes on the middle of the order. Josh Bell leads the Twins with 88 RBI, making him the engine of whatever damage Minnesota does against Rodriguez. Kody Clemens has slugged his way to 26 home runs, and with Angel Stadium's dimensions in play, he's a legitimate threat to go deep. Luke Keaschall's .279 average gives the Twins a reliable contact option at the top of the lineup — someone who can set the table without burning an at-bat.
For the Angels, Zach Neto is the name to watch — full stop. He's tied for the team lead in home runs at 26 and paces the club with 74 RBI, making him the one legitimate offensive threat Prielipp will need to navigate carefully. Mike Trout is hitting .241 on the season, and while that number doesn't jump off the page, his presence in the lineup always demands respect from opposing pitchers. Our model doesn't have a validated read on this game, so we're not going to manufacture a lean where one doesn't exist. What we can say is this: two struggling rotations, two offenses with power bats, and a warm September night in Anaheim is a recipe for runs. Watch Neto and Clemens — whoever has the bigger night likely drags his team to the win.