Twins 4, Orioles 1: Royce Lewis Powers Twins to First Win of 2026

[David HK]

A good team win, today.  Royce and Buck were big heroes, and Taj was just electric with his stuff.  Really fun to watch- and hopefully he can get a little better handle on his control.  That long 1st inning doomed him to an early finish.  

I'm hoping against hope this won't be the last time we see .500 this year- fingers X'd.

[LambchoP]

Taj Bradley has some nasty stuff. When is the last time the Twins had a SP that could hot 100mph? If he can tighten up his control a bit, he could be a fun guy to watch this year. I know it's still the first series, but so far Lee has not looked good at all. He looks lost and can't seem to hold off breaking balls down in the zone. At the same time, Culpeper went 3-5 in game one and hit a 3 run HR in game two. If it continues like this I think you need to make a move. Call up Culpeper to start at SS and let Lee be the infield utility guy who can cover 2nd, SS and 3rd.

[Fatbat]

15 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

That highlight of the Lewis homerun just makes me shake my head.  Why would you ever throw inside to Lewis.  Right now that is the only pitch he can hit,  yes he can hit it a mile.  Inside pitch he pulled.   Im still very concerned on his approach.  

Be nice to my man Royce, he is on pace for 81 HR’s!!

[bunsen82]

8 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Be nice to my man Royce, he is on pace for 81 HR’s!!

.200 BA 1 HR.   The new Joey Gallo?  

[Fatbat]

13 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

.200 BA 1 HR.   The new Joey Gallo?  

Nah, he is better as long as he doesn’t just hunt for HR’s.  Both Lewis and Lee need to have good season starts because KC is smokin in AAA and could replace either of them. Mid may call up if any of the infielders is ice cold.  LK and Wallner are gonna get the big hits today. Hopefully we get the win!!!

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

Calling it or jinxing it?

You gotta tune in today to find out. 

[bunsen82]

12 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Nah, he is better as long as he doesn’t just hunt for HR’s.  Both Lewis and Lee need to have good season starts because KC is smokin in AAA and could replace either of them. Mid may call up if any of the infielders is ice cold.  LK and Wallner are gonna get the big hits today. Hopefully we get the win!!!

I think if he has a couple more good games he could get called up the next week and make him PPI eligible.  

[Fatbat]

36 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

I think if he has a couple more good games he could get called up the next week and make him PPI eligible.  

That would be awesome!!!

[Gamblerssoftball]

Please inform me. What is PPI eligible? Thanks 

[Old Twins Hat]

3 minutes ago, Gamblerssoftball said:

Please inform me. What is PPI eligible? Thanks 

Prospect Promotion Incentive whereby a team loses a year of player control by bringing in a rookie to start or almost start the year, but because of their performance in Rookie of Year voting, the team gets an extra draft pick.  How high?  How close to Rookie of the Year to win it?  No idea, but, it's out there and both Cleveland and Detroit are going for it with De Lauter and McGonigle now in the lead.

How crazy if the Twins could win the PPI with someone like Culpepper but give up on it without even trying.

[bunsen82]

The MLB Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) awards teams an extra draft pick after the first round if a top-rated rookie prospect makes the Opening Day roster, accrues a full year of service time, and wins Rookie of the Year or places top-three in MVP/Cy Young voting. This initiative aims to curb service-time manipulation. 

MLB.com +2

Key Details on PPI Draft Picks

•  
  • Eligibility Criteria: Players must be on at least two preseason Top 100 lists (Baseball America, ESPN, MLB Pipeline) and have fewer than 60 days of prior service.
  • Requirements: The player must be on the Opening Day roster (or called up within two weeks) and accrue 172 days of service.
  • Reward:
     An extra pick in the MLB Draft immediately following the first round.

[Gamblerssoftball]

1 hour ago, Old Twins Hat said:

Prospect Promotion Incentive whereby a team loses a year of player control by bringing in a rookie to start or almost start the year, but because of their performance in Rookie of Year voting, the team gets an extra draft pick.  How high?  How close to Rookie of the Year to win it?  No idea, but, it's out there and both Cleveland and Detroit are going for it with De Lauter and McGonigle now in the lead.

How crazy if the Twins could win the PPI with someone like Culpepper but give up on it without even trying.

Thank you. It's good that there's an incentive program like this.