Minnesota

What does an ideal, fully-healthy Minnesota Twins lineup look like?

Published

9 months ago

May 22, 2025

What does an ideal, fully-healthy Minnesota Twins lineup look like?

Offense has not been the strength of the 2025 Minnesota Twins, who are 27-22 heading into a weekend series against the Royals at Target Field. They’re tied for 19th in runs per game (4.1) and are 20th in OPS (.695). It’s been their pitching staff — both the starting rotation and the bullpen — that has largely driven their recent success (14-2 since May 3).

But the offense also hasn’t been at full strength this year. Matt Wallner, Minnesota’s Opening Day leadoff hitter, has been out for over a month with a hamstring injury. Royce Lewis missed the first month and change with his own hamstring strain, then got off to a slow start in May. Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have been on the concussion IL since crashing into each other last week.

The good news is that the Twins are getting healthier. Correa is expected to be back in the lineup on Friday. Buxton and Wallner shouldn’t be far behind. With the exception of Luke Keaschall and his forearm fracture, the Twins could have all of their guys in the lineup next week, which will lead to some decisions for Rocco Baldelli when he sets the batting order.

Let’s take a stab at putting together a healthy Twins lineup that should have a chance to start producing runs at a high level.

Here’s what it could look like against a right-handed starting pitcher:

1. Matt Wallner RF
2. Byron Buxton CF
3. Trevor Larnach DH
4. Ryan Jeffers C
5. Carlos Correa SS
6. Kody Clemens 2B
7. Royce Lewis 3B
8. Ty France 1B
9. Harrison Bader LF

That’s a good-looking lineup if you assume Correa and Lewis will eventually hit at their career levels after slow starts to this season. It’s got a bunch of pop at the top with Wallner, Buxton, and Larnach (who has an .817 OPS against righties this year). It’s also got some real balance, with Lewis and the two newcomers making up the bottom of the order. If he starts to heat up, Lewis could swap places with Correa.

And yes, I’m giving Clemens the start at second base over Brooks Lee and Willi Castro. He’s been unbelievable (and extremely clutch) for the Twins as a scrap-heap pickup from the Phillies, hitting .318 with a 1.070 OPS and nine of his 14 hits going for extra bases. Until he cools down, his bat deserves to stay in the lineup.

And here’s what it could look like against a lefty starter:

1. Byron Buxton CF
2. Ryan Jeffers C
3. Royce Lewis 3B
4. Carlos Correa SS
5. Ty France 1B
6. Carson McCusker DH
7. Matt Wallner RF
8. Brooks Lee 2B
9. Harrison Bader LF

That lineup stacks right-handed bats at the top and throughout the order, with Wallner (3 for 5 with three XBH in a tiny sample size against lefties this year) as the only left-handed hitter. Larnach (.442 OPS in 39 PAs vs. lefties) does not make the cut. I’d rather give the hulking McCusker an opportunity to see if his Triple-A production can translate to the big leagues, though it’s definitely not a guarantee he remains on the roster when Wallner is activated.

There isn’t a great option at second base, considering Lee and Castro have both struggled against lefties. You could use Jonah Bride there if he’s still on the roster, but I’d rather see if Lee can get going from that side of the plate. I ended up without Castro making either version of my ideal lineup, which maybe isn’t fair. I just think I prefer Wallner and Lee against a lefty.

Christian Vazquez will obviously make plenty of starts in the Twins’ catcher rotation, and he’s actually been hitting the ball surprisingly well lately. Still, he’s not a guy you include when constructing an ideal, bat-first lineup for this team.

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Minnesota

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard tells FOX 9 there are currently 250 guard members on regularly scheduled deployment at the United States Central Command areas of responsibility as the United States leads strikes in Iran.

Guardsman in Middle East

What we know:

The Minnesota National Guard says the deployed airmen and soldiers are serving from Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the Marshall-based 1-151 Artillery, and the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company.

What they’re saying:

“While their missions and duty locations vary, all are grateful for the strong support of those back home,” writes Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, State Public Affairs Officer for the Minnesota National Guard.

What we don’t know:

The guard did not disclose the exact bases or countries where the soldiers and airmen are serving.

CENTCOM covers 21 countries including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Pres. Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks

Big picture view:

In his first public remarks since the launch of the attack on Iran, President Trump said he expected operations to last four to five weeks, but he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

The president also laid out his objective for the mission: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, to “annihilate” their navy, to ensure the country doesn’t obtain a nuclear weapon and that the regime “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

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Minnesota

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Published

14 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Iranians in Minnesota react to Khamenei death

Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. While many Iranian-Americans expressed hope for regime change, anti-war protesters also took to the streets to condemn the military strikes, with some members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation calling the operation “unlawful” and “illegal.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East. Anti-war protesters also took the streets of Minneapolis Saturday.

Plus, Jewish communities say they are on high alert over concerns of potential retaliatory acts in major cities across the U.S.

‘Massive moment’

What we know:

Following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, Khamenei was killed in an attack, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Iranian community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street on Sunday to express hope for regime change.

Dozens of Iranian-Americans said they are celebrating the news.

“We are here to support Iranian people. Today, everybody is happy, very happy,” said Beheshteh Zargaran, an Iranian-American.

“Killed Khamenei, which was the supreme leader, and hopefully they will continue this action and help Iranians finally topple the Islamic regime,” said Faraz Samavat, an Iranian-American.

“That means a lot. We are fighting for almost half a century to destroy this cruel regime against people of Iran,” said Ali Mohammad, an Iranian-American.

Iranians in MN celebrate strikes by Pres. Trump

Iranians in the Twin Cities are gathering in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation. Community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street to express hope for regime change after news that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

The other side:

Protesters also took to the streets in the Twin Cities over the weekend condemning the strikes.

Some people are criticizing the military operation including members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum called the strikes “unlawful” and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the war “illegal and unjustified.”

Heightened security:

Jewish communities in Minnesota say they are also on high alert following security guidance across the country to prevent potential retaliatory violence.

“A heightened sense of vigilance making sure that everybody is aware of their surroundings and that all of the protective measures are in place,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

There are currently no known specific threats against local Jewish communities.

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Minnesota

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

article

Storm reports in from Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 28.

LANESBORO, Minn. (FOX 9) – Impressive snow totals were reported in parts of Minnesota after a narrow band of heavy snowfall worked its way across the state.