Podcast: 35 games, three rookie starting pitchers and an opportunity for Twins

Minnesota is in the hunt for a playoff berth and repeat AL Central title. How the Twins finish likely will be determined by three young pitchers who have been thrust into the spotlight, as Michael Rand and Phil Miller talked about on Friday’s Daily Delivery podcast.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 23, 2024 at 1:23PM
Twins starting pitcher David Festa is one of the three rookies in the rotation who figure to play a huge role down the stretch. (Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a Vikings question that has been on his mind for months. There are numerous similarities between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, including their draft year (2018) and career trajectories. Mayfield had a bounceback season in 2023 and re-established himself as an NFL starter. Rand looks inside the numbers to see if Darnold is a candidate to do the same with the Vikings in 2024.

14:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller saw all the highs and lows of the Twins’ recent 4-3 road trip. He joins the show to offer perspectives on the trio of rookie pitchers in the starting rotation as well as injury timelines for Minnesota’s ailing stars.

38:00: It’s a big weekend in Minnesota sports.

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The podcast archive is here.

Questions? Comments? Long-winded diatribes about nothing in particular? E-mail me at michael.rand@startribune.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RandBall and Star Tribune sports @StribSports

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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