Minnesota @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 8, 2010 ) Kansas City 3, Minnesota 4
The Minnesota Twins have been slumping since clinching the AL Central last week, but that's the least of manager Ron Gardenhire's worries.
Gardenhire is more concerned about the team's health - not to mention his own - with the playoffs a week away. The Twins are coming off a three-game sweep in Detroit as they head into the opener of another three-game set on Monday against the Kansas City Royals.
At the top of a long list is catcher Joe Mauer, who hasn't played since jamming his knee on Sept. 19. Gardenhire wants to use Mauer as the designated hitter for couple of games before sending him back behind the plate.
It could be a tricky situation because Gardenhire doesn't want to push his star too quickly, but he also knows Mauer needs some at-bats, and at least a game or two at his normal position before the postseason begins.
Center fielder Denard Span (leg), shortstop J.J. Hardy (knee) and designated hitter Jim Thome (chronically sore back) are also nursing injuries and have been out of the lineup.
Then there's Gardenhire, who was struck on the ear by an errant throw from shortstop Alexi Casilla during batting practice on Saturday. Gardenhire needed stitches in his ear and missed the game that night, but returned to the dugout to manage Sunday.
Minnesota's problems would be welcomed by Kansas City manager Ned Yost, who would surely trade places with Gardenhire.
Kansas City is trying to avoid a last-place finish in the division, but those hopes suffered a setback when his team lost three of four in Cleveland and now trail the fourth-place Indians by 1 1/2 games.
The Royals wasted a strong pitching performance by Bruce Chen, who threw 6 2/3 shutout innings on Sunday. Kansas City carried a 3-0 lead into the eighth, but the Indians scored five times in the frame off Robinson Tejada for a 5-3 win.
Kevin Slowey will get the start for Minnesota on Monday.
Slowey won't be in the rotation for the postseason, even though he's been pitching well of late. He's allowed four earned runs in his last three starts, but he's been battling a sore arm that put him on the disabled list late last month.
The right-hander will be used out of the bullpen if he's on the playoff roster.
Kansas City will counter with Kyle Davies, who pitched well in his last start against the Tigers, but ended up with a loss. He allowed four earned runs in eight innings, but the Royals dropped a 4-2 decision.