Let's Road Trip Twins 2025: Trip #6 - 7321 miles to Victory!

[Steven Trefz]

When the schedule was adjusted to accommodate the Tampa Bay Rays' stadium situation, what was already the longest road trip of the season at the end of May became the stuff of epic tales. From Tampa to Seattle to Sacramento—here we go!

Image courtesy of © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Tampa Bay Rays - May 26-28
George M. Steinbrenner Field: Capacity 11,026
2024 Attendance (at Tropicana Field): 1,337,739 (Averaged 16,515, 14th out of 15 AL parks and 28th overall)

In what appeared to be the Twins' final visit to Tropicana Field in September 2024, they needed a series victory but barely salvaged a split, thanks to a three-run blast from the much-maligned Edouard Julien. Since their first trip to Tampa Bay in 1998, the Twins have struggled, posting a 41-50 record at the Trop. But that was all indoors.

Now, in 2025, the Rays will play three games in the minor-league confines of George M. Steinbrenner Field—home to the Yankees' spring training and the Tampa Tarpons. The games were moved to May to avoid Florida's brutal July humidity, but this reshuffling has turned the Twins' East Coast road trip into a logistical nightmare: Detroit to Miami to Tampa, then a 3,091-mile haul to Seattle.

This venue change comes after Hurricane Milton left Tropicana Field roofless. The Tampa City Council refusing to fund repairs leaves the Rays in limbo. While this new setting offers a more intimate experience, ticket prices are expected to soar. For Twins fans, what was once one of the cheapest road trips could now be one of the most expensive.

Tampa Bay always made sense as a major league market—after all, it has hosted the Yankees' spring training for decades. But when the Tampa Bay Devil Rays debuted in 1998, they stumbled through 10 straight 90-loss seasons. A 2008 rebrand to the Rays (as in "sunshine," not "seafood") sparked a turnaround, leading to a World Series appearance and sustained small-market success. However, attendance never followed, with the Trop labeled as one of baseball's most unpopular venues.

Despite its quirks—catwalks that both giveth (Jason Kubel, 2010) and taketh away (Miguel Sanó, 2015), optical illusions, and artificial turf—the Trop had its charms: dancing grounds crews, a live stingray tank, and the Ted Williams & Hitters Hall of Fame. But now, thanks to hurricane damage and years of stadium disputes, it sits roofless and abandoned, leaving the Rays' future uncertain.

Back to the track, at the wall, and ... the shortstop has it? pic.twitter.com/2Mok0DZsJO

— MLB (@MLB) June 1, 2019

The move to Steinbrenner Field, while temporary, raises questions about the franchise's long-term viability in Tampa. Why not use their spring training site in Port Charlotte? Too far. Worse amenities. Instead, they'll play in a smaller venue, likely with premium ticket pricing, while inching toward an inevitable relocation.

The Tampa area still offers plenty for visiting Twins fans—the Salvador Dalí Museum, Sunken Gardens, Florida Aquarium, and Big Cat Rescue are all worth a stop. But if you plan to attend, act fast—these games are expected to sell out by February, and secondary market prices could be steep.

From there, the Twins embark on their grueling cross-country trek: Tampa to Seattle.

Seattle Mariners - May 30-June 1
T-Mobile Park: Capacity 47,929
2024 Attendance: 2,555,813 (Averaged 31,553, 7th out of 15 AL parks and 14th overall)

The Twins' 2024 visit to Seattle could have easily resulted in a sweep if not for Griffin Jax's rough outing and a crushing extra-inning loss fueled by Mitch Haniger's heroics. Since 1999, the Twins have gone 47-56 in Seattle, but they haven't lost a series at T-Mobile Park since 2021.

T-Mobile Park offers stunning sightlines, a retractable roof, and top-tier food options, far removed from the Kingdome days. While the Mariners have endured long stretches of mediocrity—including zero World Series appearances—they're an ascending team in 2025.

Beyond baseball, Seattle has plenty to offer:

• The Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest & Mariners Hall of Fame
• The 'Pen – A paradise for foodies and pub crawlers
• Fan Walk – Engraved bricks honoring devoted fans

The Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture, and Seattle Japanese Garden provide memorable off-day activities for adventure seekers. If you're up for a detour, a Goonies filming site pilgrimage along the Oregon coast might be tempting.

But there's no rest for the Twins. After Seattle, they head straight to Sacramento for four games against the nomadic Athletics.

The Athletics - June 2-5
Sutter Health Park: Capacity 14,014
2024 Attendance (@ Oakland): 922,286 (Averaged 11,528, ranked 15th out of 15 NL parks, 30th overall MLB)

The Twins' final trip to Oakland in 2024 resulted in a solid two-games-to-one series win. They've fared well at the Coliseum in recent years, going 7-2 there since 2022.

But 2025 marks a new era, as the Athletics begin their three-season limbo in Sacramento before officially moving to Las Vegas in 2028. They'll play at Sutter Health Park, a minor league venue with a spring training vibe—but games that count.

Oakland was never kind to the Twins, who posted a 138-177 record there. The A's, meanwhile, endured dismal attendance in 2024, the only MLB team to draw under one million fans. Their planned move to Vegas has severed ties with their dwindling Oakland fanbase.

The A's did make some notable offseason moves, retaining Brent Rooker while adding Luis Severino and Gio Urshela. They could be a real threat by the time they reach Las Vegas.

For fans making the trip, Sacramento offers hidden gems:

• The Sacramento River – Scenic wineries and restaurants
• The Crocker Art Museum – A top-tier art collection
• The California State Railroad Museum – A must-see for history buffs

With fewer seats available than the A's average attendance in 2024, this series could be a unique opportunity for Twins fans to get close to the action.

From there? No break. The Twins head straight to Toronto for a June 6 showdown with the Blue Jays, then return home to face the defending champion Texas Rangers.

The Big Question: Can the Twins Survive This?
This coast-to-coast gauntlet—Tampa to Seattle to Sacramento to Toronto—is brutal. Will the Twins emerge battle-tested and resilient? Or will this stretch derail their season?

What’s your prediction for the Twins’ make-or-break road trip?

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