After missing the last Series Preview due to being away for the weekend, the previews are back in time for the Yankees trip to Minnesota to take on the Twins. Arriving in Minnesota along with the Yankees will be Alex Rodriguez, who will rejoin the team after being on the DL since July 7. Rodriguez will not be in the line up tonight, which will be okay, as the team has gone 23-12 without the slugger and are in first in the AL East.
The Yankees have had the Twins number over the last few years, especially in the playoffs and one of those Yankees who has great numbers against Minnesota is Thursday night’s start, C.C. Sabathia. Posting a 7-0 record with a 1.46 ERA against in his last eight starts against the Twins, including postseason. Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett and Ivan Nova will follow Sabathia in the four game series at Target Field.
Starting for the Twins in the series will be Brian Duensing (8-11, 4.53 ERA), Kevin Slowey (0-0, 4.91 ERA), Francisco Liriano (8-9, 5.12 ERA) and Nick Blackburn (7-10, 4.53 ERA). The Twins staff hasn’t been as good as they had been in the past, and don’t pose a dominant threat to the Yankee bats.
The bats for the Twins have been quite this year, especially with the low production from Joe Mauer, only one home run this year and the injury-plaque season of Justin Morneau who has only played in 60 games this season.
The Yankees line up should continue to roll in this series, as Rodriguez will eventually join the active line up. Look for the Yanks to take three from the Twins, and I would not be surprised if they take all four with a good surprise start from Burnett on Saturday.
Justin McElrath
NYYUniverse.com Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @Justin_McElrath
