Armstrong homered twice as the Twins were blown out by the NL Central-leading Cubs on Thursday at Target Field.

Simeon Woods Richardson outpitched Shota Imanaga with five scoreless innings, and the Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 8-1 on Tuesday night.

In the Cubs’ 8-1 win Thursday, Rea held the Twins to three hits and one run through seven innings. He not only set the team up to avoid a sweep in Minnesota but also gave the bullpen rest going into a three-game series against the Yankees that’s expected to open with a bullpen day.

Ryan Jeffers went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, and the Minnesota Twins used a six-run eighth inning to surge to an 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Chicago Cubs (54-38, first in the NL Central) vs. Minnesota Twins (45-47, third in the AL Central) Minneapolis; Thursday, 1:10 p.m. EDT. PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Colin Rea (6-3,

The Philadelphia Phillies have long needed a true star in center field and should consider a deal with the Minnesota Twins for one of their best players. ESPN i

The New York Mets could look to poach a talented utility man from the Minnesota Twins to fill one of the bigger holes on the team's roster.