Game Details

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Date

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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First Pitch

7:10 PM ET

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Venue

Citi Field, Flushing, New York

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TV / Streaming

MLB.TV

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Home Team

New York Mets (7-15)

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Away Team

Minnesota Twins (11-11)

Betting Odds

💰 Live Markets

Moneyline (NYM)

*Check your sportsbook*

Moneyline (MIN)

*Check your sportsbook*

Run Line

*Check your sportsbook*

Over/Under

*Check your sportsbook*

ESPN Win Probability

NYM 66% — MIN 34%

Specific moneyline, run-line, and over/under figures were not publicly verified at time of publication. Bettors should confirm current lines with their sportsbook before wagering.

Preview: Two Sinking Ships, One Must Rise

When the Minnesota Twins make the trip to Citi Field on Tuesday night, they'll find a franchise deep in crisis. The New York Mets have stumbled to their 11th consecutive loss — the longest skid the organization has endured since 2004 — and sit at a dismal 7-15 in the National League East. Meanwhile, Minnesota arrives with its own momentum problem, having dropped four straight to fall to an even .500 at 11-11.

Yet for all the doom surrounding both clubs, tonight's pitching matchup tilts the scales sharply in New York's favor. Mets right-hander Nick McLean brings one of the most efficient lines in baseball into this start — a 2.28 ERA and 0.76 WHIP through 23.2 innings — while Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson has been one of the most tormented pitchers in the American League, posting a 6.10 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP across his first five outings.

Something has to give. Both teams are slumping, both bullpens are shorthanded, and both fan bases are anxious. A matchup like this, where the starters are this far apart in performance, often decides itself on the mound rather than in the batter's box. Tonight, Citi Field's 7:10 PM first pitch could represent a turning point — or another frustrating chapter in a long April that neither side would like to remember.

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New York Mets Analysis

The numbers tell a story that is painful to read for Mets fans. At 7-15 through 22 games, New York sits dead last in the NL East, 8.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. The club's 11-game losing streak — the franchise's longest in over two decades — is not the result of a single catastrophic failure, but rather a complete organizational collapse on the offensive side of the ball.

The Mets rank 30th in the majors in both runs scored (72) and on-base percentage (.288). Their .226 team batting average checks in at 23rd, and their .336 slugging percentage is 29th. Simply put, New York is the worst-hitting lineup in baseball right now, and it shows in the win-loss column.

The last five games encapsulate the slide perfectly:

Apr 19: L 2-1 F/10 @ Chicago Cubs
Apr 18: L 4-2 @ Chicago Cubs
Apr 17: L 12-4 @ Chicago Cubs
Apr 15: L 8-2 @ Los Angeles Dodgers
Apr 14: L 2-1 @ Los Angeles Dodgers

New York just returned from a road trip in which they were outscored 28-10 against the Dodgers and Cubs — two of the game's better clubs. The return to Citi Field for a home stand starting tonight should, at minimum, provide some comfort of familiarity.

The injury report is adding fuel to the fire. Superstar right fielder Juan Soto is sidelined on the 10-day injured list and is not expected back until approximately April 23. Second baseman Jorge Polanco is also out on the 10-day IL (estimated return April 25). In the bullpen, A.J. Minter (15-day IL, estimated return May 1), Joey Gerber (15-day IL, April 29), and Nate Lavender (7-day IL) are all unavailable.

Despite the offensive woes, the Mets have a legitimate ace-caliber performance to lean on tonight. Nick McLean (1-1, 2.28 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 28 strikeouts across 23.2 innings) has been one of the best starters in the NL through the early going. With just one home run allowed and exceptional control (8 BB in 23.2 IP), McLean has given New York a chance to win every time he takes the ball. His elite WHIP of 0.76 means baserunners are exceptionally rare, and the Twins will need to string together an unlikely rally to chase him early.

Key offensive contributors for the Mets include Luis Robert Jr. (.257/.366/.371 as team batting average leader), Francisco Alvarez (.268 BA, 5 RBI), and Bo Bichette (.217 BA, 1 HR). The lineup lacks consistency, but a strong McLean outing combined with even a modest offensive contribution could be enough against a troubled Woods Richardson.

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Minnesota Twins Analysis

Minnesota entered the season with legitimate AL Central aspirations, and at 11-11 the Twins are still hovering around .500 — technically within striking distance of first place in a division Cleveland leads at 13-11. But a four-game losing streak to the Cincinnati Reds (a club currently under .500 itself) has raised serious concerns about the club's direction.

The Twins' last five games:

Apr 19: L 7-4 F/10 vs Cincinnati Reds
Apr 18: L 5-4 vs Cincinnati Reds
Apr 17: L 2-1 vs Cincinnati Reds
Apr 15: L 9-5 vs Boston Red Sox
Apr 14: W 6-0 vs Boston Red Sox

Minnesota's offense, however, remains one of the brighter spots on this roster. The Twins rank 8th in baseball with 112 runs scored, own a .332 OBP (7th) and a .381 slugging percentage (14th). They are significantly more potent with the bat than the Mets, and that gap becomes critical when the starting pitcher struggles.

Key offensive contributors include:

Austin Martin (.311/.484/.444, .928 OPS in 20 games) — perhaps the Twins' best hitter so far this season, with elite plate discipline
Ryan Jeffers (.278/.391/.463, .854 OPS) — providing quality at-bats behind the plate
Josh Bell (.263/.352/.447, 3 HR, 15 RBI) — a legitimate run-producer at first base
Byron Buxton (.235 BA, .707 OPS) — the centerfielder has yet to find his full stride but carries pop with a 3 HR, 30 total bases line through 20 games
Royce Lewis (.222/.378/.444, 2 HR) — in his limited 12-game sample, Lewis brings middle-of-the-order power potential

The pitching side of the ledger is where Minnesota must be concerned. Tonight's starter, Simeon Woods Richardson (0-3, 6.10 ERA, 1.60 WHIP), has been unable to find consistency. In 20.2 innings, he has surrendered 26 hits, 17 walks, and 4 home runs. His 1.60 WHIP is among the worst marks in baseball for any starter with significant innings. Against a Mets lineup that will be playing at home and hungry to end a historic losing streak, this is a concerning assignment.

The Twins' rotation has also been decimated by injuries. Pablo Lopez (60-day IL, elbow), David Festa (60-day IL, shoulder), and Mick Abel (15-day IL, right elbow — placed Monday) are all unavailable, and Cory Lewis is on the 7-day IL. The bullpen is also shorthanded with Kody Funderburk (paternity leave), Cody Laweryson (15-day IL, forearm), Julian Merryweather (7-day IL), and Travis Adams (15-day IL, triceps) all out.

If Woods Richardson struggles early, Minnesota will need to lean on a thin relief corps — a challenge that could snowball quickly at Citi Field.

Head-to-Head & Betting Trends

Tonight marks the first game of the 2026 regular season series between the Mets and Twins. The two clubs will play three consecutive games at Citi Field (April 21-23), making this an important series for both teams navigating early-season adversity.

Relevant trends based on verified 2026 data:

The Mets are 4-8 at home this season — hardly an ironclad home-field advantage, but the return to Citi Field has provided some comfort historically.
The Twins are 6-7 on the road in day games (per ESPN stat splits), though full road/home breakdowns for the full 2026 season were not fully available.
New York's offense has been historically cold — 72 runs in 22 games (3.3 R/G average) puts pressure on the starting pitcher to deliver near-perfect outings every night.
Minnesota's offense averages approximately 5.1 runs per game (112 R in 22 games), which represents a significant advantage even against a quality starter like McLean.
Both teams' bullpens are compromised by injuries, suggesting that if either starter exits early, the game could open up quickly.

The pitching matchup is the clearest betting signal: McLean (2.28 ERA) vs. Woods Richardson (6.10 ERA) is a stark mismatch that ESPN Analytics translates into a 66-34 win probability split in the Mets' favor.

Prediction & Best Bets

🎯 Best Bet

Our Pick

📊 **New York Mets 4, Minnesota Twins 2

**The Case for the Mets:** Nick McLean has been one of the best starters in the National League through the season's first few weeks. His 0.76 WHIP is elite, his 28 strikeouts in 23.2 innings show swing-and-miss stuff, and he's surrendered just one home run. With the Mets playing at home and desperate to snap an 11-game losing streak, McLean figures to be highly motivated. Woods Richardson's command issues (17 walks in 20.2 IP) set up well for a Mets offense that, while struggling, will benefit from pitch selection opportunities. **The Case for the Twins:** Minnesota's lineup is legitimately dangerous — Martin, Jeffers, Bell, and Buxton can all damage a pitcher when they find their rhythm. The Mets' offense is so anemic that a single bad inning from McLean (or an early hook) could be the difference. Minnesota also has more depth of experience and may respond well in a road atmosphere.

FAQ

What time is the Mets vs Twins game on April 21, 2026?

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Citi Field in Flushing, New York. The game will be available to stream on MLB.TV.

Who is starting for the Mets tonight?

Nick McLean gets the ball for New York. He enters Tuesday's start with a 1-1 record, a 2.28 ERA, and an exceptional 0.76 WHIP through 23.2 innings — easily the most effective starter in this matchup.

Who is starting for the Minnesota Twins?

Simeon Woods Richardson takes the mound for Minnesota. He has struggled in 2026, posting a 0-3 record with a 6.10 ERA and 1.60 WHIP over 20.2 innings.

Will Juan Soto play for the Mets tonight?

No. Juan Soto remains on the 10-day injured list and is not expected to return until approximately April 23. His absence continues to impact New York's already-struggling offense.

How long is the Mets' current losing streak?

The Mets enter Tuesday's game on an 11-game losing streak — their longest since the 2004 season. New York has lost to the Dodgers, Cubs, Athletics, and Diamondbacks during this run, going 0-11 while being outscored by a wide margin. ---