Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Chris Paddack: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (89 pitches, 54 strikes (60.6%)
Home Runs: N/A
Bottom 3 WPA: Chris Paddack (-0.388), Byron Buxton (-0.022), Ty France (-0.020)
Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)
The Minnesota Twins headed into Monday’s contest with the Chicago White Sox with the need to wipe a bad taste from their mouths. After being swept by the St. Louis Cardinals, the White Sox had to be exactly what the doctor ordered, right? Right??
It wasn’t—unless that order was for an unpleasant experience. When the Twins needed their starter Chris Paddack to find the form he had before his second Tommy John surgery (or the way he was out of the bullpen in the 2023 playoffs), the starter brought quite the opposite to the mound. The bats moved quickly for the White Sox in the first two innings, as Andrew Vaughn and Andrew Benintendi hit three-run home runs.
Paddack became the second straight Twins starter (after Bailey Ober, Sunday) to give up two three-run jolts in one game. As was mentioned on the TV broadcast, the Twins reached a mark of trailing they never found themselves at during the 2024 campaign, trailing by more than three runs to the White Sox.
After the third inning, Rocco Baldelli removed both Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton from the lineup. That was a new layer of disappointment. With only one hit on the season between the duo, it is a defeating move when, as a fan, you want your team to show some fight. Then again, whatever fight Buxton and Correa are bringing to the field hasn’t produced anything to this point in 2025. Edouard Julien and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. were instead given a chance to spark the offense.
Darren McCaughan Debut
In games that go sideways like Monday's, the only silver lining is that fans are sometimes treated to seeing a new player. That man this time was Darren McCaughan, who was brought in after Randy Dobnak was sent out after Sunday’s outing. McCaughan would throw 2 ⅔ innings in relief, allowing one hit and striking out two in his Twins debut. It may feel like a modest outing, but it is another bullpen-saving type of outing that the Twins need too often early this season.
Martin Perez No-Hit Bid
Not only did the Twins' starter get knocked around for nine runs, but White Sox starter Martin Perez looked like an ace when he was toeing the rubber. Perez was so good that he left the game without allowing a hit. After six innings, Perez left the game with the only blemishes being three walks and a hit batter—and with nine strikeouts to boast about.
It would take Perez’s exit for the Twins to record their first hit. That came off the hot bat of Willi Castro with Mike Vasil on the mound for the White Sox.
Justin Topa Solid
If there is anything to take away from the game Monday as a positive, it was Justin Topa’s outing. Topa was able to come in for one inning and while he did give up a walk. He also induced Matt Thaiss into a great swinging strikeout.
What’s Next?
The Twins will again go for their first win of the season on Tuesday. Simeon Woods-Richardson was a savior to the rotation in 2024, and will look to save the Twins from an 0-5 start in 2025. The White Sox are scheduled to send right-hander Shane Smith, who will be making his MLB debut. Chicago selected Smith in the Rule 5 Draft from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Postgame Interviews
Bullpen Usage Spreadsheet
| WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | MON | TOT | |
| Topa | 0 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 19 | 44 |
| Varland | 0 | 12 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| McCaughan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 31 |
| Durán | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Jax | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Coulombe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Sands | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Alcalá | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
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