Throughout the past month, Zebby Matthews has been the most reliable member of the Twins’ starting rotation. Beginning an important six-game road trip Friday, against the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox, the Twins moved up Matthews’ start to keep him on regular rest following an off day. Matthews, facing the White Sox for the second time in five days, failed to maintain last ...

Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Rate Field on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Chicago.

Zoe Davis/Getty Images North America/TNS

Throughout the past month, Zebby Matthews has been the most reliable member of the Twins’ starting rotation.

Beginning an important six-game road trip Friday, against the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox, the Twins moved up Matthews’ start to keep him on regular rest following an off day.

Matthews, facing the White Sox for the second time in five days, failed to maintain last month’s dominance, surrendering three homers in a 4-1 loss at Rate Field. It was the first time Matthews lost a game since July 24, snapping a five-start winning streak.

It didn’t help that Matthews was matched up against White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde, who transforms into a Cy Young candidate any time he pitches against the Twins. Fedde, who pitched five scoreless innings Friday, is 5-0 with a 1.18 ERA in seven career starts versus Twins hitters.

Josh Bell ended the shutout with a leadoff homer in the ninth inning against White Sox reliever Grant Taylor, but it was a dispiriting offensive performance in games that are becoming increasingly more meaningful.

In the first eight innings, the Twins managed six singles (three against Fedde) and had only one baserunner reach third base. They were hitless in four at-bats with a runner on second or third base.

When Matthews faced the White Sox last Sunday, he carried a perfect game into the sixth inning, and he was two outs from finishing a shutout.

On Friday, it took two batters before the Twins were in a one-run deficit.

Miguel Vargas drove a full-count fastball from Matthews over the right-field fence in the first inning for his 30th home run of the season, pulling a low-and-inside 97-mph pitch. Matthews has been prone to giving up homers throughout his career, but he allowed only three in five starts during August, including none in his last two outings.

Braden Montgomery crushed a solo homer off Matthews in the second inning, a 92-mph cutter that caught the inside part of the plate. In the fourth inning, Andrew Benintendi worked a seven-pitch walk before Colson Montgomery drilled a two-run homer to right field for his 30th home run of the season.