Twins

Twins-Phillies series preview: Pitching probables, injury report, TV-radio information

Philadelphia has clinched a first-round bye and has won nine consecutive games at home.

By Joel Rippel

The Minnesota Star Tribune

September 26, 2025 at 3:40PM

Kyle Schwarber has 56 home runs for the Phillies this season. (Matt Rourke, Associated Press file/The Associated Press)

Twins at Philadelphia Phillies

THREE-GAME SERIES AT CITIZENS BANK PARK

All games on Twins.TV, 830-AM and 102.9-FM

Friday, 5:45 p.m.: RHP Joe Ryan (13-9, 3.47 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (4-10, 6.46)

Saturday, 5:05 p.m.: RHP Mick Abel (0-2, 14.63 ERA) vs. LHP Ranger Suárez (12-7, 3.12)

Sunday, 2:05 p.m.: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (7-4, 4.27 ERA) vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (13-5, 2.57)

TWINS UPDATE

After winning two of three games in Texas, the Twins (69-90) conclude their worst season since 2016. ... Their 4-0 victory over Texas on Thursday improved their road record to 31-46 and their record in September to 7-16. ... The Twins have won four of the past six regular-season meetings with the Phillies — winning two of three in July 2024 at Target Field and two of three in Philadelphia in 2023.

CF Byron Buxton, in his 11th MLB season, has established career highs for hits (127), runs scored (96), home runs (34), RBI (82), total bases (264) and at-bats (479). He has played in 124 games (his most since 140 in 2017) and stolen 24 bases (his most since 29 in 2017). ... Edouard Julien had two hits in each of the three games in Texas, going 6-for-8. He is hitting .333 (13-for-39) in September to raise his batting average to .223 — his highest since .225 on April 24.

Abel, the Phillies’ first-round (15th overall) selection in the 2020 draft, made his major league debut with the Phillies on May 18. He made six starts for the Phillies (2-2, 5.04 ERA) before being acquired by the Twins on July 30 in exchange for closer Jhoan Duran. The Twins also acquired C Eduardo Tait in the deal.

RHPs Pablo López (right mid-forearm strain), David Festa (right shoulder inflammation) and Justin Topa (left oblique strain); and IF Luke Keaschall (thumb) and OF Alan Roden (left thumb sprain) are out.

PHILADELPHIA UPDATE

Related Coverage

The NL East champion Phillies (94-65), the first MLB team to clinch a playoff spot this season, have clinched a first-round bye for the playoffs. ... They defeated Miami 1-0 on Thursday for their ninth consecutive series victory at home and their franchise record 35th series win of the season. The Phillies have the best home winning percentage (.684) and run differential in home games (+102) in MLB. ... They hit a franchise single-game record eight home runs in their 11-1 victory over Miami on Tuesday.

DH Kyle Schwarber leads the NL with 56 home runs. He is two from tying the franchise record set by Ryan Howard in 2006. ... Duran is 1-2 with a 2.29 ERA and 15 saves (in 18 opportunities) for the Phillies. On the season, he is 7-6 with a 2.09 ERA and 31 saves in 71 appearances. ... OF Harrison Bader is hitting .314 in 47 games with the Phillies since being acquired from the Twins on July 31. ... Former Twins OF Max Kepler is hitting .215 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI for the Phillies. ... RHP Walker Buehler is 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA for the Phillies since joining the team on Sept. 12. He was 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA with Boston before being released on August 29.

Rob Thomson is just the fourth manager in MLB history — joining Aaron Boone, Mike Matheny and Dave Roberts — to reach the postseason in each of his first four full seasons to start his managerial career. ... Sánchez leads all MLB position players and pitchers in bWAR (7.7). The Phillies are 22-9 in Sánchez’s 31 starts. … SS Trea Turner (right hamstring strain), sidelined since Sept. 8, worked out on Thursday and could be activated this weekend. C J.T. Realmuto (right index finger contusion) returned to the lineup on Thursday after leaving Tuesday’s game after being hit by a foul tip and sitting out Wednesday.