Minnesota @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2010 ) Minnesota 8, Kansas City 10
The game will mean next to nothing in the standings, but Tuesday's outing will be important for Nick Blackburn.
Minnesota's right-hander could be pitching for a spot in the playoff rotation when he takes the mound against the Kansas City Royals.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire could decide to go with a four-man rotation when the postseason begins next week. That would open up a spot for Blackburn, who has looked like a different pitcher since returning from Triple-A Rochester last month.
Although his record since being recalled is only 3-3, Blackburn has allowed just 10 earned runs in 45 2/3 innings.
The Twins aren't in the best of shape physically in the last week of the season.
It's unclear when catcher Joe Mauer will return to the Twins' lineup. The defending American League MVP hasn't played since Sept. 19 because of a jammed right knee. Mauer took batting practice and ran the bases Monday night and might be the designated hitter on Tuesday.
Gardenhire would like for Mauer to be the team's designated hitter before sending him back behind the plate during Minnesota's final series of the season against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Minnesota's ailments don't end with Mauer.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy returned to Minneapolis to have his sore left knee examined and veteran slugger Jim Thome may also head home to have his sore back checked out.
The Twins have won only once in five games since clinching the AL Central title last Tuesday.
Monday night's 10-8 loss to the Royals was Minnesota's fourth straight setback, despite a big night from Jason Kubel, who had five RBIs with a three-run homer and a two-run double.
Minnesota had two big innings - a three-run first and a five-run fourth - but the pitching staff had another poor effort.
The Twins have allowed double figures in runs in three of the last four games and have given up 36 runs in the losing streak.
Josh Fields hit a two-run homer to break a fourth-inning tie and Lucas May drove in three runs and Jarrod Dyson hit his first major-league home run for Kansas City.
Sean O'Sullivan is 2-6 with a 7.21 ERA in 12 appearances since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in July. He's coming off his first win as a starter for the Royals. O'Sullivan held the Cleveland Indians to two runs and four hits in six innings.
O'Sullivan lost to the Twins at Target Field on Sept. 2. He allowed five runs and seven hits, including homers by Kubel and Thome, in 4 2/3 innings. O'Sullivan walked five, struck out four and threw 97 pitches.