Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is making a strong case for a second All-Star selection as he prepares for a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers starting Friday night in Minneapolis. The matchup marks the beginning of a seven-game home stand for the Twins, where Buxton hopes to continue his impressive hitting streak and boost his chances for the All-Star Game.
Buxton has been red-hot lately, hitting four home runs over his last three games, including two in a convincing 12-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. This season, he is batting .280 with nine doubles, 15 home runs, and 45 RBIs, underscoring his key role in Minnesota’s lineup.
Twins Manager Praises Buxton’s Confidence and Impact
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli highlighted Buxton’s strong mental state and on-field success, describing him as
“in that really good, relaxed place.”
Baldelli noted that Buxton has been performing at a high level by seeing the ball well and attacking pitches aggressively.
“He’s played a lot of games where he’s taken over the game. He’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting, and he likes it. I think it fires him up, and teammates are fired up watching it. He’s exuding a lot of confidence right now. It takes a lot for him to do that because he’s a reserved guy,”
Baldelli added, emphasizing Buxton’s importance to the team’s momentum and morale.
Brewers Aim to Build Momentum Behind Rookie and Veterans
The Milwaukee Brewers enter the series seeking back-to-back wins after edging the Chicago Cubs 8-7 on Thursday. The Brewers received key contributions from Rhys Hoskins, Isaac Collins, and Caleb Durbin, who all hit home runs, while Jackson Chourio went 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base, signaling a solid offensive effort.
Manager Pat Murphy expressed confidence in rookie Caleb Durbin’s progression, noting his strong recent performance with hits in five of the last six games. Murphy praised Durbin’s composure and competitive spirit, saying,
“He’s getting comfortable, and he’s getting confident. He knows what he has to do, and he’s a tenacious competitor. No situation’s going to be too big for him. He’s worked too hard to get here, so he’s not going to back down from any situation.”
Pitching Matchup Features Twins’ Joe Ryan Versus Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski
Twins right-hander Joe Ryan is scheduled to make his 14th start of the season, continuing his strong run of form. Ryan, who is 7-2 with a 2.93 ERA, recently held the Houston Astros to two runs over seven innings but did not factor in the decision during a 3-2 loss. Over his last nine appearances, Ryan remains undefeated with a 6-0 record and a 2.38 ERA, striking out 61 batters across 53 innings.
Ryan’s history against Milwaukee includes three previous starts, where he recorded a 1-0 record with a 2.60 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings, indicating a favorable matchup for Minnesota.
The Brewers will counter with rookie right-handed pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, making his second major league start after a dazzling debut last Thursday. In that outing, Misiorowski held the St. Louis Cardinals hitless over five innings, striking out five and helping the Brewers secure a 6-0 win. Despite issuing four walks, he demonstrated impressive velocity, throwing 14 pitches at over 100 mph and completing 53 of 86 pitches for strikes.
Rookie Misiorowski’s Rapid Rise Inspired by Strong Minor League Performance
Jacob Misiorowski’s quick ascent to the majors reflects his outstanding performance in the minors this season. After being taken in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Crowder College in Missouri, he quickly climbed the ranks and earned a promotion following a dominant stretch at Triple-A Nashville, where he struck out 80 batters in 63 1/3 innings. This rapid rise underscores the Brewers’ faith in his potential and readiness to contribute at the highest level.
Outlook: Buxton’s Momentum and Brewers’ Young Talent to Shape Series
The upcoming series between the Twins and Brewers promises to be a compelling contest defined by Byron Buxton’s push for All-Star recognition and the Brewers’ reliance on emerging talent like Jacob Misiorowski and Caleb Durbin. Buxton’s recent power surge and growing confidence could have a significant impact on Minnesota’s success during their seven-game homestand. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s mix of experienced players and promising rookies aims to build momentum and challenge the Twins on their home turf.
How Buxton’s offensive dominance holds up against the Brewers’ pitching staff, led by Misiorowski, will be a key storyline as this series unfolds. Additionally, the performances of young Brewers like Durbin and Chourio may signal the direction of the team’s long-term competitive outlook.