Why Bailey Ober Could Change Minnesota Twins' Trajectory

The Minnesota Twins entered the season with no star players outside of starting pitcher Joe Ryan and outfielder Byron Buxton. However, fellow starting pitcher Bailey Ober performed like a star on Tuesday. The 6-foot-9, 260-pounder pitched a complete-game shutout in the 3-0 win over the Miami Marlins, logging seven strikeouts against no walks and two hits allowed.

The two hits were a single to right by Kyle Stowers in the fourth and a bunt single by Jakob Marsee in the second. One sensational game doesn't mean much on its own, but Ober has been effective all season. The right-hander is now 4-2 with a 3.

46 ERA over nine outings, including four quality starts. Ober has also allowed three runs or fewer over at least five innings six times, and his 1. 02 WHIP leads Minnesota pitchers who have played the whole season.

There's plenty of time for the veteran to struggle, but he's having a bounce-back campaign thus far after going 6-9 with a 5. 10 ERA across 27 starts in 2025. If Ober continues performing on this level, the Twins must extend him.