Marlins' Max Meyer returns to Minnesota to face Twins

Statisticians will classify Max Meyer's next outing as a road start.

Yet Meyer might never feel more at home.

The Miami Marlins right-hander (2-0, 2.79 ERA) will make his first big-league start in his home state when he takes on the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night in Minneapolis.

Meyer has thrived through his first eight starts of the season. He has 45 strikeouts in 42 innings, and opponents are hitting only .197 against him.

The 27-year-old grew up in the Twin Cities suburb of Woodbury, Minn., and the Twins took a chance by drafting him in the 34th round out of high school in 2017. Meyer opted to pitch in college instead, staying close to home with the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

A terrific college career led the Marlins to select Meyer with the No. 3 overall pick in 2020. Injuries interrupted his development, but now he is healthy and showing the promise that made him a top-tier prospect coming out of school.

Meyer hasn't faced the Twins in his career. He said he expects friends and family to be in attendance on Wednesday, but he is letting others handle the logistics while he focuses on pitching.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of people out here," Meyer said. "I know my parents got tickets for some people. But yeah, I don't really go on my phone.

"I'm guessing a lot of people texted me, but I haven't responded to maybe anyone. They'll probably be at the game, though, so that'll be fun."

Marlins teammate Connor Norby also grew up near Minneapolis. Although Meyer downplayed his homecoming and seemed uncomfortable with the extra attention that it brought, Norby said there was no doubt that Meyer was proud of his hometown.

"Obviously, he still lives here," Norby said. "I know how much this place means to him. He was excited to come back. He doesn't ever shut up about this place."

The Twins will try to spoil Meyer's return home. Minnesota has won three games in a row, including a 3-0 shutout over the Marlins in the series opener Tuesday night.

Bailey Ober threw his first career complete-game shutout in the opener, giving up only two hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts. Teammates dumped water on his head during a postgame TV interview, and spirits are much improved thanks to the team's three-game winning streak.

Before the past three contests, the Twins had lost 16 of their previous 21 games.

"There's not much you can say other than that was just outstanding," manager Derek Shelton said. "It was efficient. And I'm really proud to have watched it."

Minnesota hopes Ober's success can be contagious.

Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (0-5, 6.92 ERA) remains in search of his first victory of the season as he prepares to make his ninth start.

Woods Richardson has walked 16 and struck out 19 in 39 innings this season and has allowed an American League-high 30 earned runs. A good showing on Wednesday could boost his cause as he looks to preserve his spot in the rotation.

This will be Woods Richardson's third career start against the Marlins. He is 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA in his first two meetings.

--Field Level Media