Chris Paddack will take the mound Sunday afternoon wearing a Detroit Tigers uniform for the first time in Minneapolis, facing the Minnesota Twins at a familiar ballpark. After being traded from the Twins to the Tigers on July 28, the right-hander is set for a significant rematch against the team that had once relied on his pitching but eventually moved on from him.

Paddack’s recent performances show improvement, as he has given up only one run per game in three of his last four starts. Before the trade, he enjoyed success against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has since performed well against the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox as a Tiger. However, his single outing against the Twins in August was less impressive, where he allowed four runs in six hits over four innings, resulting in a 6-3 loss.

Paddack eyes redemption against former team

Reflecting on his last start against Minnesota, Paddack shared a candid assessment of the experience.

“They gave me a little taste of my own blood, you know,”

he said.

“They put up four runs, and I only had one swing-and-miss, to Royce (Lewis), and it came in the fourth inning.”

This game marked his only career appearance against the Twins before Sunday’s matchup.

With a renewed focus and determination, Paddack is seeking to right the wrongs of that outing. In his three starts so far with Detroit, he has demonstrated control by throwing nearly 72 percent strikes and conceding just one walk. His mindset heading into the rematch is clear: seek vengeance while competing fiercely against his old teammates.

“Definitely going into this outing with a little revenge in mind,”

Paddack admitted.

“I know those guys were good friends and good teammates, but they’re trying to take food off my plate, and it comes down to who wants it more.”

Tigers’ momentum and team confidence bolster outlook

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch expressed optimism about his team’s recent performance in the face of a challenging series.

“Our guys are settling in, and there is a lot of belief that we can win every night,”

he noted. Detroit has built momentum by winning four consecutive games and six of their last seven, putting pressure on the Twins, who are enduring a three-game losing streak and have struggled offensively in five of their last six outings.

The Twins have yet to reveal their starting pitcher for Sunday’s game, adding suspense to the showdown. Meanwhile, Minnesota is hoping their recent additions and rising talents can help turn the tide.

Key players shaping the Twins’ offensive hopes

Among Minnesota’s bright spots is rookie Luke Keaschall, who has stood out in his first 18 games. He has reached base safely 32 times through a combination of 22 hits, eight walks, and two hit-by-pitches. Keaschall contributed two runs in the Twins’ 8-5 loss on Saturday, going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Keaschall also played a pivotal role in the Twins’ Aug. 5 victory over Paddack’s former team when he returned from a fractured forearm. In that game, he hit a two-run homer off Paddack, showcasing his power early in his major league career.

Additionally, Minnesota has turned to James Outman to invigorate their lineup. Outman made his Twins debut recently after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline in exchange for reliever Brock Stewart. The 28-year-old replaced Alan Roden, who is sidelined with a thumb injury.

Outman’s experience, including playing in 151 games for the Dodgers in 2023 and finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting, gives the Twins hope for an offensive spark. That season, he batted .248 with 86 runs scored and 70 RBIs.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli highlighted Outman’s opportunity with the team:

“He’s going to get opportunities to play, and to hopefully get into a good rhythm and show us some things he can do,”

Baldelli said.

“I’d like to get to know the player a little bit.”

Implications of the rematch for both teams

This rematch between the Tigers and Twins holds considerable significance for Chris Paddack, who aims to reverse the misfortune of his August outing and demonstrate his growth since joining Detroit. With the Tigers riding a winning streak and exhibiting confidence, the game presents an opportunity to extend their momentum. For the Twins, the game is a test of their ability to rebound from recent losses and to integrate new talent like Outman and the promising rookie Keaschall.

As the series develops, fans can expect a competitive contest fueled by personal stakes for Paddack and the broader ambitions of both teams. The outcome may influence playoff positioning and signal the trajectory for the final weeks of the season.