DETROIT -- The Twins are set to open the 2017 season at home for the second time since Target Field opened in 2010, according to the preliminary 2017 Major League Baseball schedule released on Wednesday.
The Twins will begin next season against the Royals at home on April 3 with an off-day on April 4 before the three-game series wraps up on April 6. The Twins then head on their first road trip of the year, playing three games with the White Sox beginning on April 7 and three games in Detroit starting on April 11. Minnesota's first 19 games are against American League Central opponents.
The Twins play 20 Interleague games, including a midweek four-game home and home series against the rival Brewers from Aug. 7-10. They play the National League West next year, hosting the Rockies (May 16-18), the D-backs (August 18-20) and the Padres (September 12-13). The Twins travel to play the Giants (June 9-11), the Dodgers (July 24-26) and the Padres (Aug. 1-2).
• Twins 2017 schedule
The Twins also have three three-city road trips after having none in 2016, as they hit the road to play the Angels, Mariners and Giants from June 1-11, head to Cleveland, Boston and Kansas City from June 23-July 2 before another West Coast swing against the Dodgers, A's and Padres from July 24-Aug. 2. But they get two homestands of at least 10 games to help make up for it.
Minnesota's home schedule remains relatively even from month-to-month, as it plays 13 home games in April, 18 in May, 10 in June, 13 in July, 15 in August and 12 in September.
Other highlights include hosting the Red Sox from May 5-7, a Memorial Day series against the Astros from May 29-31 and a four-game series against the Blue Jays from Sept. 14-17. They also host the Angels for a day game on the Fourth of July.
• Get season tickets for 2017
The Twins play each of their four division rivals 19 times with nine home games against the White Sox, Royals and Tigers and 10 home games against the Indians.
All game times and broadcast information will be announced at a later date. It's the club's 57th season in Minnesota, and the 30th anniversary of the World Series title in 1987.