The Minnesota Twins expect tough series against the New York Yankees, need injured sluggers to play big
The Minnesota Twins will be treasuring every contribution they can get from their players, especially after knowing that the New York Yankees will be their opponents starting Wednesday
for the opening match of their American League Division Series.
The Twins are once again back in the postseason after edging out the Chicago White Sox for the top spot in the American League Central division race.
However, despite clinching the second seed in AL, the Twins are expecting an uphill battle with defending World Series champion, the Yankees.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will likely lean on his solid pitching corps, knowing that his reliable sluggers are still hampered with several injuries.
2006 AL MVP Justin Morneau is still sidelined with a concussion, but constantly participating in batting practices. Morneau, who hit .345 with 18 homers, 56 RBIs, and 53 runs this season,
previously announced he might play in the postseason only if the Twins manage to advance to the American League Champion Series.
Meanwhile, another former AL MVP, Joe Mauer, is still on the mend with knee injury, but he will nevertheless play in Wednesday’s series opener.
Mauer, a four-time all-star, averaged .327 with 9 homers, 75 RBIs, and 88 runs this season.
The Twins will also be pinning hopes on veteran DH Jim Thome, who just returned from a back injury Friday, to deliver key hits during the series. Thome, who made 12 walk-off homers in
his career, averaged hit .278 with 25 homers, 59 RBI and 48 runs this season.
At 40 years-old, Thome is gunning for his last chance to win a World Series title after coming close in 1997 with the Cleveland Indians, who lost to Florida Marlins in seven games.
Thome, who played at first-base in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, said Edgar Rentería’s championship-clinching hit in the 11th inning is still haunting him.
The Twins-Yankees series-opener will start Wednesday, 6 October, at 8:37 p.m. (EST).
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