Pablo Lopez started on Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins, marking his third consecutive season in this role, a feat last accomplished by Brad Radke. This consistency suggests that Rocco Baldelli now has a reliable ace in Lopez. Beyond Lopez, the Twins' rotation appears strong with depth, particularly with Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober performing well.

The primary concern lies with Chris Paddack, whose history of injuries, including Tommy John surgery, raises questions about his reliability. Conversely, Simeon Woods Richardson has emerged as a promising talent; after a solid rookie season, he is anticipated to continue his growth. Keith Law notes that Woods Richardson made significant adjustments to his arm slot, leading to a notable 2-WAR season. If Woods Richardson can improve his changeup, he could elevate his status within the rotation.

Pablo López was handed the ball for his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Minnesota Twins, but things quickly unraveled in St. Louis. Despite his intentions to set the tone for the season, he struggled significantly, giving up four runs (two earned) and making two critical errors, including a balk and a throwing error. The Twins managed to score three runs, including a two-run homer by Harrison Bader, but it wasn’t enough as they fell 5-3 to the Cardinals.

After a lengthy rain delay, López allowed runs in each of the first three innings, leading to an early deficit. The Cardinals capitalized on his mistakes, notably with a two-strike changeup that Lars Nootbaar hit for a two-run homer. The Twins' chances dwindled further after a home run by Nolan Arenado in the eighth inning, leaving them unable to recover. Though Willi Castro contributed an RBI double, the Twins could not convert opportunities to close the gap, resulting in a frustrating season opener.

The Minnesota Twins are set to open their season against the St. Louis Cardinals today at 3:15 PM at Busch Stadium, marking the earliest opener in franchise history. Manager Rocco Baldelli, who experimented with 154 different lineups last season, is fielding a fresh lineup featuring Trevor Larnach as the designated hitter and new addition Harrison Bader starting in left field against his former team. The Twins lineup includes notable names like Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, while the Cardinals will counter with their lineup led by Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras.

In the pitching matchup, the Twins' Pablo López, who has a solid Opening Day track record, faces former teammate Sonny Gray. López is aiming for his third consecutive Opening Day win, having previously led the Twins to victories in 2023 and 2024. Conversely, Gray, who had a remarkable 203 strikeouts last season, seeks to improve his 2-5 record against the Twins. The matchup promises to be competitive, given the teams' history and expectations for this season.

The Minnesota Twins have finalized their 2025 Opening Day roster, showcasing a mix of returning talent and new names. Key contributors include first baseman Ty France, who is looking to rebound after a successful All-Star season in 2022, and Willi Castro, the team MVP from the previous year. Castro's versatility was evident as he played multiple positions last season.

Star shortstop Carlos Correa is back, despite injury concerns limiting him to 86 games last season while still posting a solid OPS. Fellow infielder José Miranda aims to recover from a dramatic second-half slump. The outfield positions have strong contenders, including Byron Buxton, who finally played over 100 games last season, and Trevor Larnach, who showed promise with 15 home runs in 2024. In the pitching lineup, Pablo López leads the rotation, supported by the emerging talents of Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, alongside established closer Jhoan Duran.

The Minnesota Twins are narrowing down their roster ahead of Opening Day following two rounds of cuts that left their camp with 45 players. David Festa and Zebby Matthews have been optioned to Triple-A, solidifying the starting rotation for the Twins with Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddack. Simeon Woods Richardson has earned his place with an impressive spring performance, boasting a 0.82 ERA. The Twins' depth in pitching is a notable advantage this season.

Manager Rocco Baldelli emphasized the importance of maintaining this depth, stating the organization has several promising arms ready for call-ups from Triple-A. The competition among young pitchers like Festa and Matthews underscores the Twins' commitment to developing talent. Meanwhile, Pablo López is gearing up to face off against former teammate Sonny Gray on Opening Day, a matchup that adds excitement for both players as they look to establish their dominance on the mound.