Joe Mauer does not, I repeat, does  not get Thursday off following Wednesday’s night game. He didn’t play Sunday, there was on off day Monday, there’s another off day next Monday and Mike Redmond may start Friday night against the The Big Unit. So Mauer plays today.

Mauer’s presence in today’s lineup helps the Twins’ chances to sweep an opponent for the first time since May 27-29 at Kansas City. They need a sweep because the AL West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks are coming to town this weekend. Even with a 38-34 record, the D-Backs are a dangerous team.

After Randy Johnson on Friday, the Twins will face Micah Owings on Saturday then the 11-3 Brandon Webb on Sunday. The Twins will throw Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Livan Hernandez at Arizona.

Both teams blew off batting practice after two days of unblieveable offense.

Nationals (29-44): 1. Cristian Guzman, SS. 2 Elijah Dukes, RF. 3. Lastings Milledge, CF. 4.  Dmitri Young, DH. 5. Aaron Boone, 1B. 6. Ronnie Belliard, 3B. 7. Felipe Lopez, 2B. 8. Wily Mo Pena, LF. 9. Wil Nieves, C. Pitching: Shawn Hill.

Twins (36-36): 1. Carlos Gomez, CF. 2. Alexi Casilla, 2B. 3. Joe Mauer, C. 4. Justin Morneau, 1B. 5. Michael Cuddyer, RF. 6. Jason Kubel, DH. 7. Delmon Young, LF. 8. Brian Buscher, 3B. 9. Brendan Harris, SS. Pitching: Glen Perkins.

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