Twins Pitching Woes Continue, Fans Left Reeling After Chicago Loss

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Minnesota Twins suffered their fourth consecutive loss to start the MLB season on Monday, showcasing troubling performances from their pitching staff during a series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Chris Paddack, making his season debut, allowed nine runs and three home runs in just 3 1/3 innings before being pulled from the game. His performance mirrored the struggles of pitcher Bailey Ober, who had a disastrous outing just a day earlier against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Paddack’s rough day began with a three-run homer by Andrew Vaughn in the first inning, followed by a 401-foot shot from Andrew Benintendi in the second. Former Twin Michael A. Taylor then launched a two-run home run in the third inning. Paddack’s ERA now sits at 24.30, marking a disappointing start to his season.

“We need to regroup and find a way to get better as a pitching staff,” Paddack said after the game. “I’m going to put in the work to ensure this doesn’t repeat.”

The Twins did not fare better in the series opener in Chicago, pulling star players Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa early in the game with the score at 9-0, a move some fans interpreted as conceding defeat. “It’s frustrating to see them not fight until the end,” a frustrated fan commented on social media.

Social media was abuzz with reactions from upset Twins fans, expressing their dismay just four games into the season. “How did it come to this?” one fan questioned on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m not sure how much more I can take this early in the year.”

With this series start, the Twins have shown they need to find answers rapidly, especially given that it’s only the opening week of the season. The pressure is mounting as they aim for a turnaround on Tuesday against the White Sox with the hopes of salvaging their sinking start.

The Twins, who finished last season strong, are now under scrutiny as they grapple with these early-season challenges. Breaking the cycle of defeats will be crucial in maintaining fan support as the summer season heats up at Target Field.