Steven Trefz

New York Yankees - August 11-13 Yankee Stadium - Capacity 46,537 2024 Attendance: 3,309,838 (Averaged 41,896, ranked 1st out of 15 AL parks, 2nd overall MLB) The Twins thought they had broken the Yankee Stadium curse in 2023, only to get swept right out of town in early June 2024 by the eventual World Series runner-up Yankees. 13 wins and 39 losses. That's the Twins' record at the newest iteration of Yankee Stadium. If you think that's terrible, just take the last decade into consideration. Since 2015, the Twins have won five games in the Bronx, and lost 26! 2013 was the only season that the Twins managed to win a series, and the general outcomes would be comical if they weren't so consistently devastating. The Yankees squad that awaits to start the 2025 campaign might be without Juan Soto, but they've added to their bats and arms just like they always do and should compete for the World Series yet again. What Yankee Stadium lacks in hospitality to opponents’ chances for success, it makes up for in baseball history and charisma. Monument Park shares the rich tradition of the pinstripes and is the place to be before the first pitch. Being present for the “roll call” tradition of the Yankees' outfield bleacher bums and knowing that millions of humans are within blocks of you offers a lot of excitement. The stadium itself feels surprisingly bland and non-distinct, but if the Yankees are playing well, it's tough to be an opposing fan there. Yankee Stadium resides in the heart of the Bronx, so parking and any “quick” travel to destinations don’t happen. Then there’s the potential for rain. Luckily, MLB appears to have also thought this through and scheduled an off-day in case the opener needs a re-do, but there isn't a mutual off-day following the series, so any make-up game would have to find its way later on during the season. Enter the enemy's lair thick-skinned and get ready to enjoy baseball at its finest. Twins fans have an opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Big Apple. The Statue of Liberty takes most of a day to visit appropriately, and traveling the New Jersey coast to see Ellis Island also offers a wonderful view of downtown NYC. If you do find yourself in Manhattan, Broadway, TV show scenery, and Central Park are must-sees. Finding affordable lodging and navigating the traffic are obstacles, but the public transit system is top notch (i.e., it mostly functions as designed) and can get fans most anywhere they want to go. Even if this trip hurts a little, the Twins return home to face what they hope to be some healing opponents in the Tigers and Athletics. Will the Twins come out on top in this week of August baseball? Or will this be more of the same from some difficult opponents?

Cleveland Guardians - August 1-3 Progressive Field – Capacity 34,830 2024 attendance: 2,056,264 (Averaged 26,028, ranked 9th out of 15 AL parks, 20th overall MLB) By this point in the season, the Twins will have already played seven games against the rival Guardians, so if they need to make ground up in the division, they are running out of time. When the Twins traveled to Progressive Field on Road Trip #4, it was late April and hope sprung eternal and chilly. Cleveland in early August brings a threat of rain and plenty of warmth, so be prepared for delays and reschedules and who knows what else. This is the last stop at Progressive Field for the season, so there is little room for make-ups. You can see a full write-up of Progressive Field and its surrounding attractions below. From here the Twins journey just 169 miles down the road to Comerica Park to face the Tigers in another rematch from earlier in the season. Detroit Tigers - August 4-6 Comerica Park - Capacity 41,083 2024 Attendance: 1,858,295 (Averaged 23,824, ranked 11th out of AL parks, 24th overall MLB) The Twins were in Detroit not that long ago on Road Trip #8, and they hope that this final trip of the year into the Tigers' den is one they can safely walk away from. Similar weather patterns follow the Twins from Cleveland to Detroit, so who knows how the schedule will actually play out. Whatever happens, the Twins need to take this series if they want to have any chance at postseason baseball. You can see a full write-up of Comerica Park and its surrounding attractions below. From Detroit the Twins go back home to welcome their third straight divisional opponent in a row: the Kansas City Royals. How do you think the Twins will look after these rivalry games? Will the dog days of summer be worth following? Or will Twins fans start turning their eyes towards the football season already?

Colorado Rockies - July 18-20 Coors Field - Capacity 46,897 2024 Attendance: 2,540,295 (Averaged 31,361, ranked 8th out of 15 NL parks, 15th overall MLB) The Twins last journeyed to Coors Field in 2023 to close out the season, and they treated their hosts poorly in two lopsided victories before dropping the finale in extra innings. In the other two trips to the Rockies' domain, the Twins struggled to score runs in 2008, and clobbered the ball in 2014. All in all, the Twins finished those series with three wins and three losses, bringing their overall Coors Field record to 5-4. Say what you will about Rockies baseball, but the fans continue to know how to pack a stadium. It seems like just yesterday, but Coors Field has been fueling baseball physics controversy since 1995. After two seasons at the now-imploded Mile High Stadium, the Rockies moved into their “new” home at over 5,000 feet above sea level. Coors Field led the league again in “runs park factor" last season, and it wasn’t even close. Baseballs fly there, humidors and big dimensions be darned. Quirks of the stadium include seats in center field called the “Rockpile,” an in-park brewery, a purple row of seats in the 300 level which marks the Mile High point, and a mixed-use development district around the ballpark. The National Ballpark Museum is across the street and exists as a “must-stop” for anyone on a baseball tour de force. The Denver Art Museum, Rocky Mountain parks and trails, and the Denver Zoo all can provide some entertainment between games. Colorado isn’t expected to be a nuisance to many this season, but they have shown consistent resilience at home, and mid-summer games usually bring out the home fans. The Twins will have to take this series seriously, because their next competition is 996 miles away and will probably still be undefeated by the time July rolls around. Los Angeles Dodgers – July 21-23 Dodger Stadium: Capacity 56,000 2024 Attendance: 3,941,251 (Averaged 48,657, ranked 1st in NL and 1st overall MLB) In 2023, the Twins headed to Dodger Stadium with some momentum. Trevor Larnach was on fire, and hope was flowing wild. Three days later, Nick Gordon's career as a Twins was ended with a broken leg on a hit-by-pitch, and the only victory the Twins could salvage was a surprising win against the unbeatable Clayton Kershaw (with the backdrop of his mom's passing). The Twins have played 11 total games at Dodger Stadium, spanning four series from 2005-2023. They have won twice. Twice! Justin Morneau and Torii Hunter took Derek Lowe deep to claim victory in June 2005. After that, it took 18 years to get another victory! Facing the defending champions on their home turf doesn't bode well for the 2025 squad. The Dodgers got their start in the Northeast and later moved westward. After the move from Brooklyn, they settled first in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, but the Dodgers found their forever home in 1962 at Chavez Ravine. Beautiful, breathtaking, “an aesthetic ideal” mirroring Hollywood itself, Dodgers Stadium tops many ballpark bucket lists. The construction crew literally moved 8,000,000 cubic yards of rock and material amidst the natural landscape, slicing a piece of baseball heaven into place. Jackie Robinson’s presence exists inside and outside of the ballpark, with statues and stories in full display. With the Dodgers being a juggernaut on the field, finding affordable "good" seats can prove equally daunting. The Kirk Gibson Home Run Seat (section 302, right field pavilion, Row D, seat 88) stands (sits?) immortal. If you haven’t re-enacted that iconic scene from the 1988 World Series while playing baseball, or softball, or whiffle ball/ping pong/ice fishing for that matter… then you need to turn in your baseball fan card. Just turn it in. There is also the infamous Dodger Dog, which, unsurprisingly, isn't worth the price tag. Specialty Dodger-ritas and loaded nachos, however, are worth it! Los Angeles has been ravaged by wildfires this winter, but they don't directly impact the Dodger Stadium area. The scenic Malibu coastal drive will never look the same, but travelers to L.A. will still have the iconic Hollywood sign, Disneyland, Rodeo Drive, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, the ocean, and more, all worth the trip in and of themselves. Some of them are free. Some of them are the opposite of free. Whatever befalls the Twins in this epic road trip, they get to finally return home after almost two weeks on the road to face the Nationals and Red Sox. How do you think this dance with the National League West's darlings and cellar dwellers will turn out Twins Territory?

Detroit Tigers - June 27-29 Comerica Park - Capacity 41,083 2024 Attendance: 1,858,295 (Averaged 23,824, ranked 11th out of AL parks, 24th overall MLB) The Twins split a mid-April four-game series at Comerica in early 2024, and actually came away winning the road series in July two games to one. 2024 was an outlier to the prior seasons, but generally all of the road trips to Detroit have been close contests. Since the Twins began playing their road games at Comerica Park in 2000, they've played 220 games. The Twins have won 109 of them while the Tigers have held serve with 111 wins. Far from being hostile, but far from being friendly, the expansive Comerica dimensions and atmosphere have proven to be a literal wash for Twins clubs looking to make hay in the standings. 2025 looks like it will bring more of the same middling results on the road. When Comerica Park opened, it attempted to replace a jewel box ballpark icon in Tiger Stadium. How did they do it? Well, for starters, they built a bunch of giant Tiger statues. Then, they made the dimensions of the outfield astronomical in nature. The walls were so far back that they realized they messed up and brought them back in starting in 2003. Players’ stats continue to take a hit from the dimensions, and the walls were brought in yet again prior to the 2023 season. Located just a few blocks from the Detroit River/Canadian Border, Comerica Park sits in the downtown district, with plenty of entertainment and eatery options. There is a Motown Museum, the Corner Ballpark (a recreation of Tiger Stadium), the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Henry Ford Museum just down the road. In-stadium attractions for traveling fans include a carousel, Ferris Wheel, and the Tigers Hall of Fame. After the Twins leave Detroit, they have to journey 1385 miles to the heart of Miami to face the Marlins. Miami Marlins - July 1-3 loanDepot Park - Capacity 37,442 2024 Attendance: 1,087,453 (Averaged 13,425 - ranked 15th out of 15 NL teams, 29th overall MLB) The Twins began 2023 with a sweep of the Royals, and they carried the momentum right into loanDepot Park with a resounding 11-1 victory and a 4-0 start to the season. Then, Sandy Alcantara pitched a complete game shutout to spoil Kenta Maeda's return, and the perfect season and winning road vibes ended all at once. The Twins ultimately lost that series two games to one. In eight games at Marlins Park/loanDepot Park, the Twins are 3-5. The first games Minnesota played in Miami were in 2007 at Dolphin Stadium, and they came away winning two out of three in that series, making them 5-6 overall in South Beach. The stadium's first season of use was in 2012 (Marlins Park), and it was renamed loanDepot Park in 2021. It has a retractable roof so the games are guaranteed to occur regardless of weather, which is a must for anyone making that long of a trip to catch a ballgame! The in-stadium nightclub may have closed, and the neighborhood around LoanDepot looks more like a residential zone, but the ballpark itself is beautiful inside and outside. The best part? A visiting fan can usually get 30-dollar prime area seating. I mean, it's all for sale... and no one's buying. Twins fans rejoice, but the stadium employees and Marlins players aren't too impressed. The World Basic Classic proved that both the stadium and the community can get excited when the product on the field is competitive, but Marlins ownership isn't too keen on that being the goal. This "communidad 305" thing looks interesting. BYOInstruments? Soccer atmosphere? The fun probably can still occur if your team has a strong representation in the stands. Their bobblehead museum contains 400 of the old owner Jeffrey Loria's collection, but its almost hidden behind an outfield stairwell, so you might have to explore to find it. LoanDepot Park sits in the southern part of the city, just west of Biscayne Bay. If the roof is open, sightlines from the back of the first-base line is the place to be. If closed... go party and play instruments, I guess! At 85 degrees and sunny, it's hard to complain. Let's hope the Twins can muster up some victories in South Beach, because they have a ten-game, three-team homestand to endure against the Rays, Cubs, and Pirates afterward before the All-Star Break. How do you think the Twins will fare on this road trip? Can Minnesota tame the Tigers? Or will the sub-.500 results of the past in these cities carry on forward to 2025?

Houston Astros - June 13-15 Minute Maid Park - Capacity 41,168 2024 Attendance: 2,835,234 (Averaged 35,002, ranked 2nd of 15 AL teams and 8th overall) In 2024 the Twins took two of three at Minute Maid, matching their 2023 series victory. Minute Maid Park became the home of the Astros for the 2000 season, and in the years since the Twins have found average success, going 19-21 over the forty regular season games in Houston. The story of Houston baseball runs through the Astrodome, the sporting world’s first fully enclosed and air-conditioned stadium. The Astrodome changed the game and almost all other games around the world. It gave us the first synthetic turf playing surface (hence why we call all the new stuff Astroturf, even if it isn’t!), the ability to play ball in any type of weather or geography, and the introduction of year-round civic and sports arenas within a city. Minute Maid Park carries history, scandal, success, and futility all in one amazingly crafted and retro-fitted setting. The current ballpark was constructed around a former Union Station railway concourse and harkens to the culture and community that it serves. Oil, agriculture, trains, Bar-B-Q, Mexican food, boom/bust economics, and espionage/waste disposal (couldn’t resist). The retractable roof might come into play in May, with an opportunity for outdoor baseball early and late in the season. This element allows for a natural grass playing surface. Originally named Enron Field in 2000, my kids’ third favorite orange juice stepped up to the plate for naming rights once Enron imploded. Hopefully, the Minute Maid Train will fail to leave the station due to a lack of Astros homers, but recent history would argue to bet the “over.” Minute Maid Park used to feature the legendary and questionable "Tal’s Hill” in centerfield. The berm & flagpole served for quite a few highlights and lowlights for fielders, and it stretched the dimensions out to 436ft. The hill left the building after the 2016 season, replaced by a restaurant, standing-room seating, and a lower medical liability deductible. The dimensions also came in with it to a reasonable 406ft. Interestingly, berms or mounds in the field of play used to be a way to give a better view to standing room overflow fans ON THE FIELD!!! Can you imagine? Showing up to a game, discovering that it was sold out, but being told to “Worry not! Centerfield has some room for you!” It sounds like an alternate reality. When in Houston, check out the Space Center and enjoy some beach and fishing time out in the Gulf of Mexico. Or if the weather's too warm and muggy for your liking, just get excited to watch high-quality baseball in a crazy cool stadium alongside a fan base that has doubled down on their team. The Twins won't have time for any of this, however, because they need to head a thousand miles northwest to Cincinnati. Cincinnati Reds – June 17-19 Great American Ballpark - Capacity 43,500 2024 Attendance: 2,024,178 (Averaged 24,989 - ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams, 21st overall MLB) The Twins were happy to see Cinergy Field go away, because they got swept out of there in 2000. Great American Ballpark has served as a more gracious host, albeit a neutral one. The Twins have gone 6-5 in its four trips to Great American. The last time they played there was in 2023. The Twins entered Cincinnati in mid-September in need of victories to cement their standing on top of the American League Central. They were greeted with a loss, but came back to take two out of three and kept the playoff juices flowing in the right direction. Home to baseball’s oldest franchise (going strong since 1882!), Great American Ball Park celebrates its 20th year of hosting the Reds in 2023. With a list of legendary players behind it, the team boasts a history of success, and has a Hall of Fame of its own to prove it. Like many teams, however, that history seems to stop in the 90’s. Built on the shores of the Ohio River, Great American Ball Park offers contemporary fans a baseball-specific venue with waterfront views and quirky vibes. The higher up you sit, the better the view of both the game and the area. With wide concourses and five levels of seating, finding a place to enjoy the game shouldn’t be an issue. When in town, cultural highlights include the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Art Museum. Findlay Market’s beer gardens open on gameday, and riverboat cruises offer a unique way to spend time between games. Following this road trip the Twins get to enjoy some home cooking against Milwaukee and Seattle. Will they return on a roll, or rolled over?

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. 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?

Baltimore Orioles - May 13-15 Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Capacity 44,970 2024 Attendance: 2,281,129 (Averaged 28,514, eighth out of 15 AL parks and 19th overall) The Twins journeyed into Baltimore in mid-April of 2024, and they limped out after getting outscored 22-9 in a three-game sweep. Minnesota has been traveling to the newest Oriole Park iteration since 1992, and have collected a 57-67 record over that span. From 2015-2019 the Twins used Baltimore as boost trip, winning 12 of the 16 matchups, but before and after have been far less beneficial to the club. Oriole Park at Camden Yards will forever be tied with Ken Griffey Jr. in my mind. The connection has nothing to do with Griffey's legendary blast in the 1993 Home Run Derby — still the only home run ever to hit the warehouse in right field — it's due to the fact that the Super Nintendo game Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball was the first place I saw the ballpark. Built in 1992, Camden Yards changed aesthetic templates for Major League ballparks. The warehouse frames a beautiful backdrop for baseball and for batters' dreams. The seats are designed for viewing baseball, but the third-base line is the way to go. Legends Park holds statues of Orioles greats, the walkways bustle with food and fun, and the city itself carries a history of the birthplace of baseball immortality, Babe Ruth. The Inner Harbor and National Aquarium are tourist destinations that boast ships straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean and over 17,000 animals. Locals have been pursuing a Loch Ness-type creature named “Chessie” since the ’30s. My friends in the area don’t describe Baltimore as a vacation hotspot, but it sounds like a great trip to me! Unfortunately for the Twins there is no off-day and another 800 mile journey to Milwaukee to take on the rival Brewers. Milwaukee Brewers – May 16-18 American Family Field - Capacity 41,900 2024 Attendance: 2,537,202 (Averaged 21,328 - ranked 9th out of 15 NL teams, 16th overall MLB) The 2024 journey to Milwaukee led to something the Twins hadn't experienced there since 2021: a victory. The two-game series split finished off a winning opening road adventure and set the team up for a successful season that just couldn't sustain itself. The Twins have been playing their interleague and border battle rivals at American Family Field (amongst the other names) since 2001, and in 64 games the Twins have held their own to the tune of a 30-34 record. Because of the unique home-and-home nature of this series, its the only National League road trip guaranteed on the schedule each season. Familiarity has bred parity for this series. American Family Field began as Miller Park in 2001. 2020 brought new cash inflow and a new name. This retractable-roof complex looks like a combination of an airplane hangar, a Metrodome, and an advertisement convention. And yet, when the Brewers got it going on, the place also brings out an energy that can deliver electric baseball. The Brewers isn’t just a fun name, it’s a destination reality. Local and global-level breweries make this city a beer connoisseur's playground. The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Lake Michigan coastline provide alternative travel stops for a variety of tastes. Once inside the ballpark, the immortal “sausage race” has gone digital, but the spirit remains. Bud Selig and Bob Uecker have statues and museums, and this season will carry a special meaning after Uecker's passing. Following this week-long road trip the Twins return home to take on AL Central foes Cleveland and Kansas City in some must-win series. Will they find redemption and a winning streak to lead into those crucial games? Or will the Twins return road-weary and twice shy? How do you think this fifth trip will go Twins Territory?

Cleveland Guardians - April 28-May 1 Progressive Field – Capacity 34,830 2024 attendance: 2,056,264 (Averaged 26,028, ranked 9th out of 15 AL parks, 20th overall MLB) Progressive Field provided the Twins with all of the information they needed when evaluating the 2024 season. One win, six losses. Four of the losses were by one run, but just as the final divisional standings proved, that was all it took to shift the tide towards the Guardians. Each time the Twins entered Cleveland, they were looking for momentum and a chance to prove their dominance in the division. Each time they left defeated. The Twins have been battling Cleveland at Progressive Field since the mid-90's. 259 games are in the books, and the Twins lose far more often than they win at the Rock and Roll Capital of the World. 112 wins and 147 losses in the past three decades. The last three seasons are particularly rough, with the Twins dropping two out of every three games to the Guardians on the road in that span. Baseball in Cleveland began in 1894. This trip's destination, however, is to the most current iteration of Cleveland baseball: Progressive Field. I grew up memorizing Major League and even parts of Major League 2 (no shame). This stadium isn’t Municipal Stadium, but it’s been around a while nonetheless. Progressive Field opened for business in 1994, and 2019 brought an extensive concourse renovation at the 200 level with entertainment spaces and open walkways. The Guardians rebrand brought them back to the top of the AL Central, and the future looks bright for the organization. A trip to the southern tip of Lake Erie brings plenty to see and to do. Built downtown, with plenty of surrounding neighborhood options for food and drink and a consistently winning team, Progressive Field can be well attended when the team is winning, so Sox fans should be aware if they plan to catch these games. Cleveland itself boasts the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and several neighborhood eating highlights. A short drive to Canton brings the Pro Football Hall of Fame into the mix, while lake and outdoor activities also are available. One unique attribute and history that carries on is John Adam’s Drum. This dedicated fan brought the “thump” to every game since 1973 but hadn’t been in attendance since Covid started. In fact, he passed away in 2023, but his tradition carries on. One of his original drums is actually now enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame. After hopefully surviving three games in Cleveland, the Twins will continue on east to Fenway Park to tackle the upstart Red Sox. Boston Red Sox - May 2-4 Fenway Park - Capacity 37,755 2024 Attendance: 2,659,949 (Averaged 32,838, ranked 4th out of 15 AL parks, 11th overall MLB) The Twins' September 2024 trip to Fenway Park started with nail biting excitement and a miracle 12-inning endurance victory in game one. What followed were seven and six run defeats in a double-header from H-E-Double-hockey-sticks. The Twins have been taking road trips to Fenway Park since before they were the Twins! For the first 523 games they had a lot shorter distance to travel as the Washington Senators, but they struggled to a 239-284 record at Fenway. In 1961 the Twins started flying halfway across the country to play in Boston, and their record got worse...way worse. The Minnesota Twins have played 330 games at Fenway Park, and have only won 140 of them. In fact, for six decades the annual journey to Boston has basically been a guaranteed losing effort. 2019 was the only season in the last decade that saw the Twins leave Boston with a series victory. One of two remaining “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 Americana. 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. 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). Being the birthplace of our nation also provides numerous places for investigation. Boston Harbor, Paul Revere’s home, and the replica of “Cheers,” the bar! Each neighborhood in the old city has its own special eateries, and the revolutionary era graveyards and crypts are worth a tour. From Boston the Twins haul everything back to Target Field to tangle with the Orioles and Giants in an extended orange homestand. Will they be riding high after this important road trip? Or will the return to central time zone not be the only losing going on? How do you think the Twins will do?

Just when you thought a one-town road trip was disruptive and odd in April, the Twins are forced to go on another one! This time they head 1,100 miles southeast to the home of the Braves. Atlanta Braves – April 18-20 Truist Park - Capacity 41,084 2024 Attendance: 3,011,765 (Averaged 37,647 - ranked 4th out of 15 NL teams, 5th overall MLB) The Twins got swept out of Truist Park in 2023, which served as their first and last visit to the stadium. There aren't many good Twins memories on the road in Atlanta. They were swept at Fulton County Stadium in the 1991 World Series (all's well that ends well though), and they got swept out of Turner Field in a 2013 three-game series. Save for a two-game sweep that the Twins put on the Braves in 2016, the Braves in general have been a nightmare for Twins fans. The Twins have gone a combined 8-17 against Atlanta in the regular season. Oh, but that 1991 World Series.. Baseball arrived in Atlanta from Milwaukee in 1966, but the national audience for the Braves arrived with TBS. Even a kid in the middle-of-nowhere South Dakota could watch the Braves, and this made their runs in the 1990's must-see TV. The Atlanta Fulton County Stadium we watched in 1991 made way for Turner Field (aka. Olympic Stadium) in 1997. The Braves' most recent move in 2017 took them to the suburbs, to mixed reviews. On the one hand, the Braves got a chance to build a baseball community center with neighborhood revenue-gathering machines. On the other hand, folks now need cars and cash to get to the games. Truist Park resides in a mixed-use entertainment district called “The Battery.” Designed to curate the entire baseball consumer’s experience, it's arguably the wave of the future (see also Globe Life Field in Texas). The park is clean and modern in stadium style, with Hank Aaron tributes and historic moment monuments scattered throughout. “The Freeze” (@beatthefreeze) race between innings also looks intriguing. Atlanta boasts the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, MLK Jr. National Historical Park, and the Center for Puppetry Arts. I would steer clear of the puppets, but to each their own. The airport serves as a major hub, so travel to and from Atlanta shouldn't be hard, but travel to and from the ballpark will probably require renting a car or a large amount of Uber money. After this one-city road trip, the Twins return home to face the White Sox and Angels with a chance to make some serious damage in the standings. Will this Braves series set them up well, or deplete their arms and spirits at just the wrong time?

A one-town road trip doesn't usually swing the momentum too much one way or the other, but it can wear out a ballclub more quickly than its worth. This 872 mile round trip to Kansas City is the second divisional series of the young season, and it offers and extended look at the full rotation and offense that the Royals are bringing to the table in 2025. Kansas City Royals - April 7-10 Kauffman Stadium - Capacity 37,903 2024 Attendance: 1,658,337 (Averaged 20,473, ranked 12th out of 15 AL parks, 26th overall MLB) The Twins opened 2024 with two outstanding pitching performances at Kauffmann Stadium and two victories to start the season. They wouldn't taste victory in Kansas City again in 2024, dropping the final four contests and only scoring two more runs in the process (outscored 22-2!). The Royals and Twins have battled at Kauffman Stadium since 1973, and the head to head record matches the ups and downs that both franchises have experienced since then. In 408 games played at Kauffmann Stadium, the Twins have won 194, and lost 214. The Twins haven't won season's road battle with the Royals since 2019 in fact, and they will face a stiff task to reverse that trend in 2025. Kauffman's first Season of use was 1973 (Royals Stadium) with artificial turf, renamed Kauffman Stadium in 1994 after the team's first owner. Kentucky bluegrass replaced the turf in 1995. Folks hoping to check this one off your bucket list better hurry up, as they still trying to work out a Target Field-style move to downtown with the city/county. It has an open bowl format, and is southeast of Kansas City in a complex with the Kansas City Chiefs stadium. Parking is ample and easy, but spendy. The field has a beautiful outfield area, which reminded me of Fort Myers actually with its lack of seating and open boardwalk vibe. Kauffman resides outside of the pace of Kansas City, so tour guides send a journeyer into town for BBQ and night life. There is still a hotel in walking distance to the park, but obviously many more places to stay in the metro area proper. Twins fans usually represent well at Kauffman, so you be brave and wear your gear! You'll probably also make a friend or two in the process. Let's just hope the Royals play as friendly... From Kansas City the Twins journey back to Target Field for their first taste of the Tigers and three games with Juan Soto and the New York Mets. What kind of record will the Twins take home with them? How do you think this first trip to Kansas City will go? Let's Road Trip is a series of stories exploring the Twins' 14 road trips during the 2025 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.