Rockies at Twins Preview: Probable Pitchers, Lineups & Key Storylines for June 28
The Colorado Rockies will look to extend their current four-game winning streak when they face the Minnesota Twins on Friday, June 28 at Target Field (7:10 PM CDT / 00:10 UTC June 29). With both teams battling for playoff positioning in the NL Central and AL Central respectively, this matchup features a clash between Colorado’s resurgent offense and Minnesota’s dominant bullpen. Here’s what to watch, including the probable pitchers and starting lineups.
Probable Pitchers: Rockies vs. Twins
The Twins will start Kyle Gibson (10-5, 3.55 ERA) on four days’ rest, looking to build on his strong performance in his last start against the Royals. Gibson has allowed just one home run in his last 10 starts, a trend he’ll need to continue against Colorado’s powerful lineup.
For the Rockies, Alex Giolito (7-7, 4.12 ERA) will make his first start since June 14, returning from a brief stint on the injured list with a shoulder strain. Giolito has been effective when healthy, posting a 2.94 ERA in his last six starts, but will need to limit damage against Minnesota’s middle-of-the-order bats.
Bullpen Matchups
Minnesota’s bullpen has been a bright spot this season, with Taylor Rogers (1.89 ERA in 12 appearances) and Alexis Díaz (2.45 ERA) providing strong late-inning support. The Rockies will look to Brad Hand (3.03 ERA) and Jake McGee (3.38 ERA) to close out games, though both have struggled with left-handed hitters.
Starting Lineups: Who’s Playing?
Both teams have made key lineup adjustments in recent days, with injuries and performance dictating the order. Here are the probable starting lineups:
| Position | Colorado Rockies | Minnesota Twins |
|---|---|---|
| LF | Charlie Blackmon | Jake Bauers |
| CF | Brandon Nimmo | Jake Lamb |
| RF | C.J. Cron | Byron Buxton |
| 1B | Garcés | Max Kepler |
| 2B | Ryan McMahon | Jorge Polanco |
| 3B | Trevor Story | Luis Arraez |
| SS | Brendan Rodgers | Javier Báez |
| C | Willson Contreras | Liam Hendriks |
| DH | Dylan Carlson | Rafael Dolis |
| SP | Alex Giolito | Kyle Gibson |
Key Notes:
- The Rockies will see Brandon Nimmo return from a brief IL stint with a hamstring issue, replacing Jared Walsh in center field.
- Minnesota’s Jake Bauers will start in left field after Ehire Adrianza was placed on the 10-day IL with a shoulder strain.
- Both teams have made late roster moves, with the Twins activating Rafael Dolis from the IL and the Rockies promoting Ryan McMahon to the starting lineup.
Key Storylines: What to Watch
1. Can the Rockies’ Offense Stay Hot?
The Rockies have scored 30+ runs in three of their last four games, with C.J. Cron (10 HR, 39 RBI) and Charlie Blackmon (18 HR, 45 RBI) leading the charge. However, they’ve struggled against left-handed pitching (288 wRC+ vs. LHP this season), and Gibson will test their patience early.
2. Twins’ Bullpen Under Pressure
Minnesota’s bullpen has been a bright spot, but they’ve allowed three or more runs in two of their last four games. The Rockies’ lineup features 10 players with a wRC+ of 120+, meaning even a one-run game could turn into a blowout if the bullpen falters.
3. Giolito’s Return: Can He Stay Healthy?
Giolito’s shoulder strain has been a concern all season, and his last start was cut short due to fatigue. If he can go deep into the game, the Rockies’ offense could overwhelm the Twins’ pitching staff.
4. Play-In Race Implications
Both teams are in the thick of their respective wild-card races. The Rockies are currently 0.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central, while the Twins are just 1.5 games back in the AL Central. A win here could be crucial for both teams’ playoff hopes.
Schedule & Next Games
The Rockies and Twins will meet again on Sunday, June 30, with the Twins hosting the Rockies at Target Field. After this series, the Rockies will travel to Arizona for a three-game set against the Diamondbacks, while the Twins will face the Royals in Kansas City.
Rockies Upcoming Schedule
- June 30 – @ Twins (Game 2 of 3)
- July 2 – @ Diamondbacks (Game 1 of 3)
- July 5 – @ Padres (Game 1 of 3)
Twins Upcoming Schedule
- June 30 – vs. Rockies (Game 2 of 3)
- July 1 – vs. Rockies (Game 3 of 3)
- July 3 – @ Royals (Game 1 of 3)
How to Watch & Follow
This game will be broadcast nationally on MLB Network and will be available to stream on MLB.TV and Amazon Prime Video in select regions. Fans can also follow along on social media using the hashtag #COLvsMIN.
For real-time updates, follow MLB.com’s Rockies page and Twins page for injury reports, lineup changes, and post-game analysis.
Key Takeaways
- The Rockies’ hot offense will test Minnesota’s bullpen, which has been strong but not invincible.
- Alex Giolito’s return from injury is critical for Colorado’s rotation depth.
- Both teams are in playoff contention, making this a high-stakes matchup.
- Left-handed hitting will be a key factor, as both teams have struggled against southpaws.
What do you think will happen in this game? Will the Rockies’ offense overwhelm the Twins’ pitching, or will Minnesota’s bullpen hold firm? Share your predictions in the comments below.
