Let's Road Trip 2024: Trip #13 - Last Stops! Cleveland and Boston (September 16-22)

[Steven Trefz]

The last of the 2024 Twins' road trips takes us east again, to face divisional foe Cleveland and to square off against the Red Sox at the legendary Fenway Park. Will the Twins have a lot to play for, or can they coast their way to the finish line? Only time will tell.

Image courtesy of © Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Though they're far from favorites in the AL playoff projections, both the Guardians and the Red Sox could hang around and have plenty to play for in their own right come September. The Twins won't be able to let up.

Cleveland Guardians – September 16-19
Progressive Field – Capacity 34,830
2023 Attendance: 1,834,068, up from 1,295,869 in 2022 (Averaged 22,643, ranked 10th out of 15 AL parks, 23rd overall MLB)
The Twins make their second trip to Cleveland either in need of a crucial series win against a competitive division rival, or hoping to put an early nail in the coffin of a division rival. Only time will tell which type of series Twins fans will get, but winning games against the Guardians is always great! This will be the last regular-season tussle with an AL Central foe.

You can find more details about traveling to Progressive Field and the Cleveland experience from the earlier road trip report. The weather in mid-September mirrors mid-May, so dress appropriately. This four-game weekday series should offer plenty of great seats, and perhaps a Browns game to bookend the trip?

From the shores of Lake Erie, the Twins continue onward to their last road stop of the season. It’s on to the curse of the Bambino and Fenway Park…640 miles east to Boston!

Boston Red Sox – September 20-22
Fenway Park – Capacity 37,755
2023 Attendance: 2,672,130, up from 2,625,089 in 2022 (Averaged 32,989, ranked 5th in AL, 11th overall MLB)

One of two remaining original “jewel box” ballparks (Wrigley being the other), Fenway Park serves as a must-see for any baseball road-tripper. Across the Charles River from the likes of MIT and Harvard, the Red Sox’s home field carries a history of curses and triumphs. From the house that Babe Wrecked to Big Papi’s stomping grounds (ouch), Fenway speaks to the iconic and cultural power of baseball in America.

Even my backyard wiffle ball set-up had a “Green Monster” set of evergreen trees…temptingly close but impossible to clear. I didn’t make that up; Fenway did. At 37 feet tall, the Monster serves as the biggest batter distraction in baseball. If you have the opportunity to view a game from the top of the Monster, do it! Best baseball experience of my life thus far. Pesky’s pole in right field sits a mere 295 feet away from home plate, if you believe independent measuring services (“officially” 302, according to the Sox). The pull-happy Twins lefties should do great there, as long as they can remember actually to watch the ball and not the scenery.

Being the birthplace of our nation also provides numerous places for investigation for the Twins-motivated traveler. Boston Harbor, Paul Revere’s home, and the replica of “Cheers,” the bar, along with several cultural hotspots and historical museums await. Plan to spend a day walking through the older parts of the city, and enjoy the food and atmosphere that exists everywhere around town. At Fenway, show up early and enjoy a brat on the street outside the ballpark, which serves as a secondary concourse. Investigate the walkways and architecture of the hallowed grounds. Be ready for some excitable fans, who love their team and the game that has tortured them for decades.

This year’s Red Sox squad doesn’t appear to have much bite, with injuries attacking the starting staff and little star power in the works. Trying to beat them on their home turf, however, is always a daunting task. Hopefully, by this point in the season, the Twins are the only team with something to play for.

The Twins will be traveling 2,783 miles for 7 games, 0 off days, and ____ wins?

How do you think the Twins will fare on their last regular-season road voyage? Anyone planning to go to Cleveland or Boston? Any favorite watering holes or tourist traps? Baseball is almost here Twins Territory…let’s get talking!

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Let's Road Trip is a series of stories exploring the Twins' 13 road trips during the 2024 season.  I will focus on stadium highlights, attributes, Twins history, and community amenities.  Potential pitfalls and roadblocks get considered, and travel considerations get mentioned.  My handy-dandy Baseball Road Trips by Timothy Malcolm and Moon travel guides will be a go-to for this conversation.

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