As the 2024 regular season continues, here are three things well be keeping an eye on around the baseball world heading into the weekend: 1. Series Preview: Rangers @ Twins A pair of AL contenders who have struggled a bit more than expected so far in the 2024 campaign are set to face off in a weekend series starting this evening as the Twins host the Rangers at Target Field for a three-game set. The Twins currently sit 6.5 games back of the Guardians for the AL Central crown with a 26-23 record despite having come into the season as the defending division champions, while the reigning World Series champions in Texas have fallen below .500 with a record of just 24-27 but are just three games back of the Mariners in what has turned out to be a surprisingly weak AL West division. Both teams have also faced particularly deep struggles recently as the Twins have lost seven of their last ten while the Rangers have lost eight. The series is set to begin at 6:10pm local time this evening, when Twins righty (4.40 ERA) takes on Rangers journeyman (3.29 ERA). Veteran (3.61 ERA) is set to take on Twins right-hander (4.47 ERA) tomorrow, while its unclear who will start for Texas on Sunday opposite Minnesotas struggling Jhon Romero Jersey staff ace (4.72 ERA). With , , and all currently on the injured list, its po sible the club will be forced to turn to a young arm such as , , or to make a spot start. 2. Ramos nearing return: The White Sox lost infielder to the injured list just over a week after calling him up to the majors due to a left quad strain, but it appears the 22-year-old youngster is nearing a return to action. As relayed by , general manager told reporters yesterday that Ramos would be activated from the IL at some point this weekend. Thats great news for the club, as Ramos has experience at both second and third base and figures to offer a noticeable upgrade offensively over either (52 wRC+) or (69 wRC+) upon his return. Ranked by as the #54 prospect in the sport, Ramos held his own with a decent .281/.294/.344 slash line in his first ten games, good for a wRC+ of 78. In 77 games at the Double-A level last year, Ramos slashed an impre sive .271/.369/.457 with a wRC+ of 122. 3. Whos starting for the Braves today? The Braves have not yet decided their starter for todays game against the Pirates, manager Brian Snitker told reporters (including ) last night. The clubs recent doubleheader against the Padres has left the rotation in need of a spot start, but the clubs recent decision to option right-hander to the minor leagues means that their on-paper sixth starter wont be available to take the ball unle s he replaces an injured player on the roster. A suming the club will look for another alternative in its minor league system, each of , , and have been working out of the rotation at the Triple-A level for the club this year and have enough rest to be a potential option for todays spot start. Ynoa is the most accomplished of the three at the big league level after pitching in parts of four MLB seasons including a 107 ERA+ showing in 91 innings of work back in 2021. That being said, Ynoa has struggled to stay healthy in recent years and has been lit up for a 6.52 ERA in 9 2/3 innings of work at Triple-A so far this year. Hes also on the minor league IL and hasnt pitched in an official game since the middle of April. That could lead the Braves to offer the start today to either Winans or Dodd, both of whom made their MLB debuts last year and have pitched to decent results at the Triple-A level this year. Dodd has not yet appeared in a big league game this season, while Winans surrendered seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work during a spot start earlier this year. All three arms are already on the 40-man roster, but the Braves would still need to clear space on the active roster in order to accommodate todays starter. Kent Hrbek Jersey