Preview: Reds at Twins, Friday, April 17, 2026

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Interstat) — Two teams with identical records and mirroring momentum will meet Friday when the Cincinnati Reds visit the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.

Both clubs enter the series opener at 11-8. The Reds look to rebound after being shut out 3-0 by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, while the Twins aim to recover from a 9-5 home loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

The pitching matchup features Cincinnati left-hander Brandon Williamson (1-1) against Minnesota right-hander Joe Ryan (2-1). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CDT under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 71 degrees.

A player to watch for the Reds is rookie right-hander Chase Burns, who delivered six scoreless innings in a hard-luck loss Thursday. Over his last four starts, Burns has allowed one earned run or fewer three times, showcasing his electric potential.

For the Twins, third baseman Ryan Kreidler has provided recent power. He homered and drove in three runs in Wednesday’s defeat and has two home runs in his last three games.

Despite the Twins being installed as a -1.5 run favorite with an over/under of 7.5, projections are split. Interstat’s game simulator predicts a 7-6 Twins victory, but its ELO system gives the Reds a slight edge with a 50.6% win probability.

Cincinnati’s offense, which managed just five hits Thursday, will try to reignite against Ryan. The Twins’ starter has been solid, but the Reds have shown scoring bursts, plating eight runs in a win over the Giants on Wednesday.

The series continues through the weekend before both clubs embark on road trips. Cincinnati heads to Tampa Bay, while Minnesota travels to face the New York Mets.