The Minnesota Twins are set to face the Kansas City Royals tonight at 7:40 p.m. ET from Target Field, with ace Joe Ryan on the mound. Just a week ago, the Twins appeared poised for a major sell-off, but their recent surge has shifted their focus towards a playoff push, keeping Ryan in their lineup.

As a -180 money-line favorite, the Twins are only two games out of first place in the AL Central and half a game out of the final wild card spot. The SportsLine Projection Model gives them a 42.3% chance of making the postseason, while DraftKings offers a +185 price for any route to the playoffs.

Ryan, with a record of 6-6, 3.38 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP, faced trade rumors but remains a key asset for the Twins. Despite a rough outing against Cleveland, where he allowed eight runs, Ryan had shown promise before the All-Star break. However, he struggles against the Royals, boasting a 5.40 ERA in two starts this season.

The Royals, meanwhile, are expected to sell ahead of the trade deadline, lacking their All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and potentially sidelining slugger Vinnie Pasquantino due to injury. Manager Matt Quatraro faces scrutiny, as the team has regressed since their 2024 playoff appearance.

Tonight's matchup may lean on the Twins' bullpen, featuring Randy Dobnak, who returns to face his former team. Dobnak has been solid recently, and with the Twins aiming for a playoff spot, all eyes will be on how Ryan performs against a struggling Royals lineup.