Minnesota Twins lineup, TV channel, start time vs. Houston Astros (July 5)

It wasn’t the prettiest of days Thursday, but the Minnesota Twins still provided plenty of fiery words on the Fourth of July.

Minnesota didn’t even need nine full innings to dismantle Detroit, beating the Tigers 12-3 in a game that was stopped after the seventh inning. The Twins are back at Target Field tonight, hosting the Houston Astros for the first time this season.

This is the second time the Twins and Astros have met this year. Minnesota lost to Houston in late May and won two of three games. It was a huge boost for the Twins at the right time, and two months later, they’ll try to come back and keep the good vibes going heading into the All-Star break.

For the third straight game, Brooks Lee is in the Twins’ lineup, batting eighth. Rocco Baldelli said Lee would replace Royce Lewis, and it appears he has firmly taken over at third base.

Here’s the rest of what the Twins have planned for tonight against Houston:

1. Willi Castro, 2B
2. Carlos Correa, SS
3. Trevor Larnach, LF
4. Jose Miranda, DH
5. Carlos Santana, 1B
6. Max Kepler, RF
7. Byron Buxton, CF
8. Brooks Lee, 3B
9. Christian Vazquez, C

It’s Pablo’s day! Pablo Lopez (8-6, 4.88 ERA) is on the mound for Minnesota in its series opener against Houston. So far, it appears the Astros aren’t exactly a formidable opponent for Lopez, who has dominated them in his last two outings.

We all remember what he did in the ALDS last season, putting together a highlight reel for the Twins, and he crushed Houston in his only start against them so far this season. Lopez pitched seven innings, striking out six and allowing just one run in a 6-1 win over the Astros last May, and he’s hoping to do the same tonight.

Houston sends Shawn Dubin (1-1, 4.91 ERA) Dubin played Lopez in what appears to be a bullpen matchup for the Astros. Dubin has pitched mostly in relief appearances this season, but he’s done a good job in those games. It appears Minnesota has an advantage in pitching early in the game, something the offense should exploit to help Lopez with some ground support.

Here are the current streaming options fans can use to watch the Twins, both inside and outside the viewing area.

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