A big weekend for Minnesota sports: J.J. McCarthy's first game, Timberwolves Olympic matchup

• The Twins could either erase that lead or chip away at it with a good performance in the four-game series that includes a doubleheader on Friday.
• Losing three or four of the games would devastate their chances of winning the division, but their hopes for a wildcard spot would remain.

🏈 First look at J.J. McCarthy: The Vikings host the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.

• Fans will get to watch the rookie quarterback McCarthy throw his first passes in an NFL game, albeit an exhibition.

🏀 Ant vs. Rudy: Team USA plays France in the Olympic men's basketball gold medal game on Saturday.

• That means a head-to-head matchup between Timberwolves teammates Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert.