Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world this weekend:
1. Twins await updates on Buxton, Correa while eyeing 12th straight win:
The Twins lost two stars in worrying fashion yesterday when center fielder Byron Buxton and shortstop Carlos Correa collided in the outfield and hit the ground. Correa exited immediately, and Buxton departed the game an inning later. Both were placed into MLB’s protocol to be evaluated for concussion-like symptoms, the Twins announced. Bench coach Jayce Tingler told reporters that more information would be available today (link via The Athletic’s Dan Hayes).
Minnesota has won 11 consecutive games and pushed right back into the playoff conversation after a slow start. Buxton has been everything they could ask for in 2025, slashing .261/.312/.522 with 10 homers, an 8-for-8 showing in stolen bases, and excellent defense in center field. Correa’s offensive numbers are below-average, but he’s heated up over the past couple weeks (.328/.343/.406 his past 17 games). Harrison Bader and Brooks Lee appear likeliest to cover center field and shortstop during any potential absences, although Bader exited Wednesday’s doubleheader with groin tightness and was out of yesterday’s lineup. Willi Castro can handle either position, as can former top prospect Austin Martin, who’s raking in Triple-A after opening the year on the injured list. Neither Castro nor Martin is an ideal long-term fit at either position from a defensive standpoint, but they give the Twins some short-term cover.
The Twins will look to push their winning streak to 12 tonight in Milwaukee when they send righty Joe Ryan (2.74 ERA) to the mound against Brewers rookie Chad Patrick (3.19 ERA). Minnesota sends Pablo Lopez (2.77 ERA) to the mound Saturday against a TBD Brewers starter. Sunday, Minnesota will reportedly call up top prospect Zebby Matthews (1.93 ERA in Triple-A) to take on Milwaukee’s top starter, Freddy Peralta (2.66 ERA).
2. Harper, Schwarber nearing milestones:
Wednesday’s doubleheader between the Cardinals and the Phillies left two of Philadelphia’s best hitters on the cusp of major milestones. Bryce Harper hit an RBI single in Game 1 to knock in the 999th runner of his career, putting him just one step away from 1,000 career RBI. Kyle Schwarber, meanwhile, hit the 299th home run of his career in Game 2, putting him just one away from being the 163rd big leaguer in history to hit 300 career homers.
The Phillies were off yesterday, but this weekend’s matchup with the Pirates in Philadelphia will provide both sluggers with the opportunity to make quick work of those milestones. They’ll face southpaw Andrew Heaney (3.15 ERA) at 6:45pm local time this evening to kick off the weekend series. Righty Carmen Mlodzinski (5.20 ERA) and ace Paul Skenes (2.63 ERA) will take the mound Saturday and Sunday.
3. Fascinating Fenway matchup:
The Red Sox welcome the Braves to Boston this weekend, and tonight’s game (scheduled for 7:10pm local time) will serve as something of a full circle moment. Last winter, the Red Sox traded southpaw Chris Sale to Atlanta, and the oft-injured ace not only went on to have his healthiest season in five years but win his first Cy Young Award and capture the NL Triple Crown for the Braves.
After seeing one ace left-hander whom they acquired from the White Sox revitalize his career, the Red Sox responded by … acquiring another ace left-hander from the White Sox: Garrett Crochet. The 25-year-old Crochet has been brilliant in Boston, logging a 1.93 ERA and 28.9% strikeout rate in nine starts (56 innings). Sale, meanwhile, has a solid if unspectacular 3.97 ERA in nine outings but much stronger peripherals (2.91 FIP, 2.93 SIERA, 30.2 K%, 6.1 BB%). Will Boston be able to overcome their former ace with the new kid in town on the mound? Sale and Crochet square off tonight in a fascinating showdown that carries a bit more intrigue than the standard pitchers’ duel.
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