Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 7.23.25

Sports That Aren't HockeyTwinsLynxMinnesota WildTimberwolves

Jul 23

Denver is a fabulous city, that is all.

Vikings training camp opens with J.J. McCarthy as QB1. The first NFL pre-season game is a week from tomorrow - way too soon. Vikings play Texans August 7.

It’s unfortunate The 3M Open is the week after The British Open, and also on what’s usually the hottest week of summer in the Twin Cities.

Venus Williams’ first WTA win in 709 days came in D.C. at the age of 45…no slouch either, beating world No. 35.

Twins Beat Dodgers, but Damage May be Done

Any goodwill the Twins had built up through a 6-3 homestand to end the “first half” (more like 65 percent) of the season was quickly dismantled over the weekend when they lost their first two games of a three-game set in Denver against the hapless Rockies. Colorado had won just two series all year but made relatively quick work of the Twins Friday and Saturday.

They’ve now lost three of five post All-Star break, although they did beat the Dodgers 10-7 late last night at Chavez Ravine. The fact the Twins scored 10 runs without the benefit of a homer is surprising - four doubles helped the cause.

Minnesota used seven pitchers last night, setting up what could be a challenging matinee game today with Chris Paddack as the starter. The Twins return home to face Washington and then Boston.

The Twins remain four games out of the Wild Card - but it is readily apparent this team is moving into a selling and not a buying position at the deadline, especially with the ownership situation in lingo. Byron Buxton is saying he’s not going anywhere. No one wants Carlos Correa. The Twins will have plenty of offers on Joe Ryan - I doubt they send him somewhere. Jhoan Duran, that offer is going to have to blow them over too. But Griffin Jax? Willi Castro? Harrison Bader? Plenty of chips to play in an effort to build this team for the long term.

Lynx Overcome Slow Start to Beat Sky

If the Lynx can overcome their slow first quarters, they’d be unbeatable. Well, they’re unbeatable at home anyways, using their usual middle-of-the-game surge for a **-** win over Chicago last night to move to 13-0 at home. The game was the first after the WNBA’s All-Star break.

Chicago led by six points after 10 minutes, but the Lynx outscored them 52-26 (that’s double) over the middle 20 minutes to blow the Sky out of Target Center.

Napheesa Collier, coming off her MVP In the All-Star Game, scored ** points, as did Kayla McBride. Minnesota forced 20 turnovers by a young Sky team.

The Lynx host Vegas on Friday.

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