Twins Announce Lineup Against Royals; McCusker Not Starting

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The Minnesota Twins have announced their starting lineup for Friday night’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Carlos Correa will play shortstop and hit cleanup in tonight’s game.

The full batting order includes:

1. Ryan Jeffers, C

2. Royce Lewis, DH

3. Trevor Larnach, RF

4. Carlos Correa, SS

5. Ty France, 1B

6. Brooks Lee, 2B

7. Jonah Bride, 3B

8. Harrison Bader, CF

9. Willi Castro, RF

Notably, the lineup does not feature Carson McCusker, suggesting the Twins may not value him as a player. Tonight’s Royals’ starting pitcher is left-hander Noah Cameron, making his third appearance in the big leagues. Cameron, ranked as the second-best pitching prospect in the Royals organization, has allowed just one run over his first two starts, showcasing his skills despite being a rookie.

The Twins’ choice to bench McCusker, a powerful right-handed slugger, raises questions. He has previously faced Cameron in the minor leagues, presenting an opportunity for the Twins to utilize his experience.

McCusker’s lack of playing time since his call-up has been striking. He made his MLB debut last Sunday as a pinch hitter and faced a challenging Brewer’s reliever, resulting in a groundout. In his first official start against Guardians lefty Logan Allen, the game was suspended, limiting his chances with only one plate appearance where he struck out.

Team analysts observe that McCusker was called up primarily due to injury concerns. As the Twins continue to struggle with run production, the decision to withhold him from the lineup against a lefty may reflect their skepticism about his contributions.

First pitch of the game is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with Pablo Lopez starting on the mound for Minnesota.