The Minnesota Twins might not be championship-ready just yet, but when Joe Ryan takes the mound, they have a legitimate ace at work. The 29-year-old right-hander continued his All-Star-caliber season on Friday, delivering a gem that deserved a better fate.
Ryan allowed just one run on four hits over six strong innings in a 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He struck out seven batters while walking only one, lowering his ERA to a sparkling 3.20 across nine starts this season. It marked his fifth quality start in his last six outings—not counting the May 3 game where he exited early due to injury.
The Brewers struck first when William Contreras beat out an RBI infield single in the top of the first inning. But Ryan locked in immediately, retiring the next nine batters in order. After that initial hiccup, he allowed just two baserunners over his final three innings—a Jake Bauers single in the fourth and a David Hamilton walk in the fifth. Of his 90 pitches, 63 found the strike zone, showcasing his pinpoint command.
Unfortunately for Ryan, the Twins' bullpen and offense couldn't seal the deal. The score was tied 1-1 when reliever Taylor Rogers tossed a scoreless seventh, and third baseman Royce Lewis gave Minnesota a brief lead with a go-ahead RBI single in the bottom half. But the lead evaporated in the eighth when Jackson Chourio scored on a controversial interference play involving Lewis, followed by Bauers' RBI double. Milwaukee escaped with the 3-2 win.
Friday's game perfectly captured the Twins' 2025 season. Ryan continues to prove he's one of the American League's premier arms, but his supporting cast hasn't been able to reward his excellence with wins. With a 20-25 record and a roster that's still finding its identity, Minnesota faces a tough decision. Ryan holds a $13 million mutual option for 2027—a bargain for an ace—but he could command much more on the open market with a contending team. If the Twins can't build around him soon, trading him now might be the smartest play to secure future assets.
For fans watching Ryan's electric performances, every start feels like a reminder: this is the kind of pitcher you build a team around—or the kind you wear with pride, whether it's his jersey or just the gear that matches his elite energy on the mound.