Delmon Young is the DH tonight, and Jason Kubel is on the bench, as the Twins open a three-game series against the Yankees, facing lefthander C.C. Sabathia.

Young is 2-for-12 for his career against Sabathia, while Kubel is 0-for-2.

Twins closer Joe Nathan was named baseball’s Delivery Man of the Month for June, after going 11-for-11 in save opportunities. In 11 2/3 scoreless innings, he allowed four hits and one walk, while notching 18 strikeouts. Nathan also won this award in July 2006 and July 2008.

In my earlier post, I mentioned the Twins’ lousy career numbers against Sabathia. But Scott Baker is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two career starts against the Yankees. Both of those starts came in 2006. Some numbers against him:

Derek Jeter 1-for-5 (.200)
Alex Rodriguez 0-for-5 (.000)
Robinson Cano 1-for-4 (.250)
Mark Teixeira 2-for-5, 1 HR (.400)
Hideki Matsui 1-for-3 (.333)
Jorge Posada 1-for-2 (.500)
Nick Swisher 2-for-9, 1 HR (.222)
Johnny Damon 2-for-6 (.333)
Jose Molina 2-for-6 (.333)

Update: Justin Morneau said he officially declined an invitation to participate in this year’s All-Star Home Run Derby. That conversation took place Monday.

Morneau said he’d love it if Joe Mauer were invited. “I’d have the best seat in the house,” Morneau said.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Mike Redmond is available to play tonight, and Redmond said his right forearm feels much better.

Kubel is batting .179 against lefties this year, and .346 against righties, so Gardenhire has opted to give him a break against one of the toughest lefthanders in the game. 

YANKEES (48-34)

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Brett Gardner, CF
9. Francisco Cervelli, C

Starting pitcher: LH C.C. Sabathia (7-5, 3.85 ERA)

TWINS (43-40)

1. Denard Span, LF
2. Brendan Harris, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Joe Crede, 3B
7. Delmon Young, DH
8. Carlos Gomez, CF
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (6-6, 4.99 ERA)

Metrodome. First pitch: 7:10 p.m. TV: FSN

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.