Twins Talk: A Minnesota Twins podcast

John and Ben discuss the current playoff picture and how likely it is that the Twins could the division and end up with the top seed in the AL. Plus they provide encouraging injury updates on Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, and break down the week’s games highlighted by Zebby Matthews’ debut, an insanely clutch week from Carlos Santana, and an all-time bullpen blow up by Jorge Alcala. Learn more a...

John and Ben recap the Twins’ biggest series of the season against the Guardians that ended in a disappointing split. Plus they provide a major update on Joe Ryan’s injury and the impact to the Twins’ starter depth, including Zebby Matthews’ imminent MLB debut. Plus an overdue rant on the Twins’ struggles with the bases loaded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After yet another sweep against the White Sox, the Twins are back within striking distance of the AL Central crown, and potentially the top seed in the playoffs. John and Ben break down the Twins’ recent run of success including concern for Simeon Woods Richardson, hope for David Festa, and Byron Buxton and Bailey Ober’s return to dominance. Plus they preview next weekend’s big series with the Cle...

There’s no better way to honor our 50th episode than celebrating Willi Castro’s All-Star selection. John and Ben talk about Castro’s immense value to the Twins, the rash of injuries to Minnesota’s 4 best hitters, and Brooks Lee continuing to impress in his MLB debut. Plus a full recap of the week’s games and a preview of the Twins’ draft strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

We know, Hamilton references are outdated, but when Jose Miranda ties the MLB record for consecutive hits, you have to invoke his more successful cousin. John and Ben reunite to talk about Miranda and his late All-Star push, the Cleveland Guardians’ unsustainable winning run, Royce Lewis’ latest IL stint, and the Twins’ pair of Top 100 Prospects (Brooks Lee and David Festa) who’s MLB debuts couldn...

This week, it’s Ben doing a solo pod to bring you all things Twins. He takes a look at Minnesota’s success across the West Coast the past two weeks, breaks down all of the games, and even makes a case for Willi Castro making the All-Star team. Just like we all predicted ahead of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John is back to talk about the Twins’ solid 6-1 week against the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Athletics. He recaps very solid weeks from Carlos Correa and Royce Lewis and takes a look at the AL Central race for the remainder of June. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and Ben are back to talk about the Twins’ disastrous 1-5 week, including getting swept by the Yankees and their two MVP candidates. They also take a look at the prospects in AAA who could come up and provide a spark to their struggling offense (Austin Martin, come on down), and why the schedule spells good news for the Twins and bad news for the Guardians.. Plus, a look at why Bailey Ober and...

After a COVID-induced hiatus, John and Ben return to talk about Royce Lewis’ imminent return from the IL ahead of a matchup with the Evil Empire, Edouard Julien’s struggles, and why Jose Miranda and Trevor Larnach put the Twins in a tough spot, but in a good way. Plus, the usual breakdown of the past week’s games with a stellar rebound from Pablo Lopez and some concern for Joe Ryan. Learn more abo...

John and Ben return to recap the last week of Twins games, taking series from the Mariners and Blue Jays. They go deep on the Twins’ starting pitchers regaining their top form and break down how winning and Cole Sands’ early season success have oddly put the bullpen in a tough spot. Finally, they highlight Max Kepler’s insane 3 week stretch since returning from an early season IL trip, including h...

After their sausage-fueled 12-game winning streak, the Minnesota Twins are right back in the playoff race. John and Ben break down the last week of Twins games, including the end of both the streak and Rally Sausage. They look at the keys behind the sudden turnaround, including Edouard Julien’s breakout, Max Kepler’s return, and the stellar bullpen performance. Finally, they briefly discuss Ryan J...

John recaps the Twins’ much-needed 7-0 week against the White Sox and Angels. He takes a detailed look at what worked for the Twins offense this week and whether it’s truly sustainable. Plus, they talk about some worrying signs for Twins pitching and whether that can be fixed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John and Ben recap the Twins’ terrible 1-5 week against the Orioles and Tigers. They take a detailed look at what’s gone wrong for Louie Varland this season and how he can learn from several pitchers on the Twins’ staff. Plus, they talk about some signs of life for the offense despite the lack of runs, and celebrate Max Kepler and Carlos Correa’s likely returns this week to push guys like Kyle Far...

Sure, it’s only one start, but Simeon Woods Richardson sure looks like he wants to stick in the Bigs. John and Ben break down a series loss to the Dodgers and an encouraging split with the Tigers. Plus, they look at Joe Ryan’s career day, Pablo Lopez’s early season struggles, and offensive signs of life from Ryan Jeffers, Edouard Julien, and Austin Martin. Most importantly, this week officially ma...

John and Ben break down what was supposed to be the Twins’ first full week of games, but weather dropped the game count to five. It was probably for the best with the offense’ struggles early on. They look at the pitching staff’s impressive performance, despite not having their best stuff, Alex Kirilloff’s much-awaited breakout, Carlos Correa’s new OBP skills, and Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner’s...

The Twins won their opening series against the Royals, but lost Royce Lewis in the process. John and Ben look at the highs and lows of the weekend, including an Ace performance from Pablo Lopez, Byron Buxton’s triumphant return to the field, and the worst start of Bailey Ober’s career. Plus they break down how Lewis’ latest long(ish)-term injury impacts the rest of the Twins’ lineup and presents a...

The Minnesota Twins kickoff their 2024 season on Thursday and John and Ben are back to preview anything and everything Twins. They predict the Twins best hitters, pitchers, record, top prospects, and something crazy they think will happen this season. Plus a breakdown of all of the Twins’ recent injuries, including Jhoan Duran, Caleb Thielbar, Justin Topa, and Anthony DeSclafani (RIP pitching dept...

Twins Spring Training games are officially underway! John and Ben bring all of the Twins’ early headlines to the table, including Joe Pohlad’s discouraging comments about the payroll. They also take a look at what Jay Jackson and Steven Okert bring to the table and the importance of Chris Paddack and Louie Varland’s new pitches. Finally, they end with a bit of prospect talk on the development of E...

The Twins are back from their hiatus on improving their baseball team, so John and Ben are back from a hiatus of their own. They break down the impact of losing Jorge Polanco (spoiler alert: they’re going to be fine), where Anthony DeSclafani and Justin Topa fit in the Twins’ pitching hierarchy, and how it paved the way for the Carlos Santana acquisition. Plus they take a look at the two prospects...

The offseason dead zone is finally coming to an end with the Winter Meetings beginning today! John and Ben preview the Twins’ plans in Nashville and look at which free agent pitchers the club should target. Plus they go over all the news and rumors from the Twins and around the league as the Hot Stove begins to heat up (plus a sprinkle of analysis on your FIRST PLACE Minnesota Timberwolves). Learn...

John and Ben breakdown all the news and notes around the Twins for the last couple weeks including the reduced payroll, Dick Bremer’s retirement, all the roster moves, and an update on the TV situation. Finally, they look at which realistic starting pitchers they should target if they need to replace Sonny Gray. Follow us on Twitter: @TwinsTalkPod Follow Ben: @BenJones_5 Follow John: @thejohnke Su...

John and Ben give their thoughts on the World Series so far before diving into decisions the Twins will have to make in the next two weeks to kick off the offseason, starting with $10 million team options on the longest tenured Twins, Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco. Then they look at the Twins’ smart piece of business when they acquired Sonny Gray back in 2022, and how that sets them up well this of...

John and Ben put the finishing touches on a magical season from the 2023 Minnesota Twins after losing to the Astros in the ALDS. From Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Matt Wallner’s magical rookie years to Pablo Lopez’s emergence as an ace, they break down all the ways this season sets the Twins up for 2024 and beyond. Plus, a breakdown of Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff’s offseason surgeries and...

The Twins are back in the ALDS! John and Ben recap the weird big-brain strategy match between the Blue Jays and the Twins in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series and look ahead to the ALDS matchup against the Houston Astros. Who's got the better starting pitching? Who will be the potential Game 4 starter? Which manager will get out of his team's way to a series win? All that, and more in this episode...

John and Ben give their raw reactions after Game 1 in the AL Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays. The 0-18 streak is finally broken, thanks to future Wild Card Series MVP Royce Lewis' day at the plate, Twins' ace Pablo Lopez, and some timely lineup decisions from Rocco Baldelli. Plus, a look forward to Game 2! Follow us on Twitter: @TwinsTalkPod Follow Ben: @BenJ...