Twins and White Sox face off as trade season heats up

The Minnesota Twins aren't the flashy team everyone expected this year. After losing most of their good players last season, they’re stuck in the middle—not bad enough to be terrible, but not good enough to make the playoffs. The team seems to be keeping their best cards for a possible trade before the deadline. That includes pitcher Joe Ryan, who’s been solid but not spectacular. He’s posted a few wins with a decent earned run average, though his away performances have been shaky. Still, he’s turned things around recently, which could make him a hot commodity when the trade window opens.On the other side, the Chicago White Sox are actually playing better than they have in years. They’re above . 500, which is a big deal since they haven’t stayed there this late in the season since 2021. Fans are finally seeing effort, but whether that turns into real success is still up in the air. Pitcher Sean Burke has had a mixed bag—his walks are under control, but his home games have been rough. The Twins’ hitters haven’t faced him much, but they’ve managed to hit for power when they do, which could be a problem tonight. Most people think the Twins will take this game because Ryan is on the mound. Both teams have struggled away from home, but the Twins’ lineup might have just enough to get to Burke early. The White Sox’s best hitter, Andrew Benintendi, has been on fire, but the rest of the team hasn’t been as consistent. If the game stays close through five innings, it could get interesting—but the Twins have the edge tonight.