Preview for Thursday, September 17, 2026. Schedule and player information can change.
Minnesota Twins at Los Angeles Angels
The Minnesota Twins head to Los Angeles to face the Angels with Taj Bradley on the mound against Walbert Ureña. Bradley has thrown approximately 165.3 innings with an ERA of 3.81 and a WP-calculated FIP of 4.06, while Ureña has worked approximately 137.3 innings with a sharper ERA of 2.88 and a WP-calculated FIP of 3.75. Both marks favor Ureña, whose run prevention numbers are better across the board compared to Bradley's.
Looking at the team-wide figures, the Angels hold a lower ERA at 4.21 compared to the Twins' 4.67, and a lower WP-estimated FIP at 4.17 versus Minnesota's 4.37, suggesting a stronger overall pitching staff performance for Los Angeles. Offensively, the Twins carry a higher WP-estimated wOBA at 0.313 against the Angels' 0.299, giving Minnesota a modest edge in the batter's box even as their pitching numbers lag behind their opponent.
On the injury front, Mick Abel of the Twins is listed on the 60-Day IL, along with Eduardo Beltre also on the 60-Day IL and Anthony Banda on the 15-Day IL. For the Angels, Nacho Alvarez and Rio Foster are both listed on the 60-Day IL, while Gustavo Campero is listed on the 10-Day IL. Taken together, the pitching figures line up in favor of Los Angeles, with both the starter matchup and team ERA and FIP numbers pointing toward the Angels' pitching being the stronger of the two staffs in this game, even though the Twins bring a better offensive wOBA figure into the matchup.
Statistical scope: MLB Stats API; 2026 regular season season-to-date; exact statistical through-date not supplied.
WP selection: Angels +1.5. Confidence: Slight Lean.
The selection is supplied separately by WP. The comparisons above do not establish why the model made this selection.
WP home-run candidate for Angels: Mike Trout. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
WP home-run candidate for Twins: Emmanuel Rodriguez. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
Predictions are uncertain; no outcome is guaranteed. Check the picks page for the latest available selections.