Twins face tough series against division rivals, Vikings prepare for first preseason game

CATHY WURZER: Well, today on the show, we've got Minnesotans getting ready to compete for a blue ribbon at the State Fair, others vying for gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Wow, the Summer Games are entering their final weekend. I can't believe that.

Joining us right now with an update on Paris, plus the latest with what's happening with the Twins and the Vikings, Wally Langfellow and Eric Nelson. They do a show on radio and TV called 10,000 Takes. And I can't believe I'm just-- I'm just in awe that Wally Langfellow is in studio here with me, as a matter of fact.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: I'm 6 feet away from you.

CATHY WURZER: I know. Eric Nelson, are you with us?

ERIC NELSON: Yeah, thanks for the invite, Cathy.

CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]

WALLY LANGFELLOW: It was more like a drop-in, Eric. Don't feel bad.

CATHY WURZER: It was a drop-in-- literally, Eric. OK, let's start with the Twins. Let's start with the Twins. They're about to play four games, Mr. Langfellow, with Cleveland, right?

WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yeah, and they had one of these games was a makeup from back in April, if you recall, when Cleveland came here, opening series of the season, which makes me wonder, actually. I started thinking about that. Why didn't they play that game tonight? Both teams have the day off. It was a scheduled day off. I don't understand. So they're playing a double header tomorrow. It's a split doubleheader, Cleveland and Minnesota.

Now, the good news for Minnesota is they might be catching Cleveland at the right time. Cleveland has now lost five in a row, their longest losing streak of the season. They still have one of the best records in baseball. They still lead the Twins by 3 and 1/2 games. But they have been struggling.

Now, for the Twins, they've lost their last two to the lowly Chicago Cubs. After sweeping the White Sox, who are horrible, they went into Chicago. They beat the Cubs the first game, but they lost the last two of that series. And it was ugly. And Byron Buxton didn't play. And Joe Ryan got hurt. And it didn't look very good.

But both teams kind of limping into this big weekend series. And you are right, four games-- two tomorrow, one Saturday, one Sunday. If the Twins sweep, they're in first place by themselves. If they can win three out of the four, they would be a game and a half out. And then it goes the other way, depending on how it goes.

CATHY WURZER: Speaking of limping, I'm wondering here about the injuries on the Twins side there, Eric Nelson.

ERIC NELSON: Yeah, Cathy. They're a MASH unit, as usual. All-star shortstop Carlos Correa not expected to play against Cleveland as he rehabs from plantar fasciitis in his right foot. He's been on the 10-day IL.

Now, in 2023, Correa had the same injury to his left foot, and he basically hobbled his way through part of the season and the playoffs. And Correa is a key cog on the team. He plays outstanding defense. He's got a potent bat 308 average, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, and he's a clubhouse leader. So they need to get him back on the field ASAP.

Wally mentioned right hand pitcher Joe Ryan. He leaves yesterday's game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs with right triceps tightness. He may go on the IL. Ryan 7 and 7 this season for the Twins. Byron Buxton did not play yesterday. He's still dinged up after colliding with the center field fence on Sunday--

CATHY WURZER: God, he's always dinged up.

ERIC NELSON: Outstanding catch he made against the White Sox. That was at Target Field. Now it's not believed, Cathy, to be a serious injury. He's listed as day-to-day. Buxton has played in 85 games this season. He's on a pace to play in 122.

CATHY WURZER: OK, that's good.

ERIC NELSON: Which, for him, would be outstanding. Now, the bright spot, Royce Lewis is back. He didn't play yesterday. Rocco rested him. But he continues to have one of the most explosive bats in Major League Baseball. How about this? 14 home runs, 125 at bats. That translates to a tater every nine trips to the plate. That's amazing.

CATHY WURZER: A fine season for him. Now, we established last week, did we not, that Eric does not like the Olympics.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: He doesn't care. I don't know if he doesn't like it.

CATHY WURZER: He just doesn't care.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: He just doesn't care.

CATHY WURZER: OK.

ERIC NELSON: That is so not true. That's fake news, Cath. I was glued to the sprints with Noah Lyles.

CATHY WURZER: Were you? OK.

ERIC NELSON: Yes.

CATHY WURZER: I just want to make sure about this because I want to talk about the Olympics, which I cannot believe are wrapping up this weekend.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: He's not telling you the truth. Go on.

CATHY WURZER: Let's talk about Olympic basketball because Eric might be interested in that. So Anthony Edwards--

WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yes.

CATHY WURZER: --T Wolves star, has actually looked really good, I think, for the US team.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: Oh, yeah. And it's been basically another coming out party for him, as with LeBron James and Kevin Durant and Steph Curry-- I mean, all these NBA superstars. And then there's Anthony Edwards, who might be their best player. He had 17 in their last game against Brazil.

By the way, he celebrated his Michael Jordan birthday, his 23rd birthday on Tuesday. And a friend of his, who is a rapper by the name of Gunna, showed up in Paris and surprised him and did a little performance for Ant and several of the players. I guess LeBron was there. Several of the players showed up for Ant's 23rd birthday party. So there, you got a little insight on what goes on other than basketball. But he had 17 the other day. Anthony Edwards has been very good.

CATHY WURZER: Wow. OK, say, by the way, the Lynx, of course, there are some Lynx players on the US Women's team.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yes, Napheesa Collier, and she had 6 points the other night. She'll play tomorrow. By the way, the men play this afternoon at 2 o'clock Central time. They play against Nikola Jokic and Serbia. The women play tomorrow against Australia, a longtime rival in the Olympic Games. But the Australians have never beaten the US. So, hold on to that.

CATHY WURZER: Exactly. OK, now, Eric, Viking expert that you are, they're going to play their first pre-season game, which, of course I don't care about, but I know you do. So what will you be watching for with the Raiders, the LA Raiders.

ERIC NELSON: That may be a stretch. I've labeled these games counterfeit football.

CATHY WURZER: I know you have.

ERIC NELSON: Because you rarely see starters now in NFL preseason games. But it will be Las Vegas and Minnesota, 3 o'clock kickoff at US Bank Stadium Saturday afternoon, also on the NFL Network. Don't expect to see many, if any, starters for the Raiders or the Vikings.

Now the top draft choice, the rookie quarterback, JJ McCarthy, should play for Minnesota. But the question is how many snaps will he get? Right now, he's QB2, along with Nick Mullens behind the starter, Sam Darnold, who I doubt will touch the field. These preseason games are a tough sell for fans, Cathy. The cheapest ticket--

CATHY WURZER: What's the point?

ERIC NELSON: --is $8 for Raiders Vikings. But I will say they are huge for the backups and the bubble players trying to get on the team and earn a roster spot. And, oh, by the way, brand new field turf surface at US Bank Stadium. So they're going to put that to the test for the first time. How about some real grass, guys?

CATHY WURZER: Aw.

ERIC NELSON: And no contract extension yet for head coach Kevin O'Connell--

CATHY WURZER: Really?

ERIC NELSON: --or GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. They are entering year three of their regime in Minnesota. I think the [INAUDIBLE] are. They want to see how year 3 goes before they pony up more cash.

CATHY WURZER: That's probably a good idea. Well, Eric, we'll have to have you in studio, the both of you guys here sometime in the future. Have a good weekend.

ERIC NELSON: Thank you. You, too.

CATHY WURZER: And Mr. Langellow, thank you for gracing me with your presence in studio.

WALLY LANGFELLOW: No problem. Glad to be here.

CATHY WURZER: Wally Langfellow is the founder of Minnesota Score Sports magazine, the co-host of the sports talk show 10,000 Takes. Eric Nelson is the other host of that show. He's the Vikings NFL reporter for CBS Eye on Football and SiriusXM.