MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Twins home opener could be one of the coldest on record, but that won't keep fans away Thursday. The team has planned a day-long celebration to celebrate Opening Day at Target Field.
The Twins opened their season on the road with a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles and a two-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are currently 3-2. The Twins are looking to pick up another win when they play the Seattle Mariners in front of their home crowd. The game is scheduled to start at 3:10 p.m.
FIRST PITCH: The Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's curling team will be throwing baseballs instead of stones at the Twins home opener. U.S. men's curling team members John Shuster of Chishom, Tyler George of Duluth, John Landsteiner of Mapleton, Matt Hamilton from McFarland, Wisconsin and alternate Joe Polo of Bemidji were selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: Dessa, a Minneapolis-based rapper and member of local music group Doomtree, will sing the national anthem.
BREAKFAST ON THE PLAZA: Similar to previous years, the Twins will also host a free breakfast for fans on Opening Day. Breakfast on the Plaza will take place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the 7th Street side of Target Plaza.
GATES OPEN: At 1 p.m., former Twins legends Bert Blyleven, Rod Carew, tom Kelley Tony Olivia and Kent Hrbek, along with Kirby Puckett Jr. and Catherine Puckett will assist in officially opening the gates to Target Field.
7TH INNING STRETCH: Team Shuster, the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men's curling team, will also sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch.
SELLOUT: The home opener is sold out. Since the opening of Target Field in 2010, the Twins have drawn 312,768 fans on eight home opener dates for an average crowd of 39,096. The April 5 home opener will be the 161st sellout in Target Field history.
POSSIBLE RECORD-BREAKING COLD: The 2018 home opener could break the record for the coldest home opener in Minnesota baseball history. The coldest game for a Minnesota home opener was 33 degrees on April 14, 1962. Thursday's forecast calls for temperatures in the low 30s.