New York @ Minnesota preview
Target Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 19, 2012 ) Minnesota 6, NY Yankees 7
Andy Pettitte’s return from almost three months on the disabled list seems to have given the New York Yankees a big lift emotionally. The Yankees have won seven of eight to maintain a one-game lead in the American League East. Pettitte threw five shutout innings in his first game back Wednesday and his pitch limit could increase when he faces the host Minnesota Twins to start a three-game set Monday night. The Yankees have scored 26 runs the last four games, led by another veteran, Ichiro Suzuki. The outfielder is 15-of-25 and has scored seven runs in the last six games.
The Twins are coming off a doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, getting clutch hitting and pitching while playing the spoiler role in the AL Central race. Joe Mauer continues his strong bounce-back season, batting .323 with 83 RBIs. Minnesota split four games at New York in April.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), FSNO (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (4-3, 2.97) vs. Twins RH Liam Hendriks (1-7, 5.88)
Pettitte has been outstanding this season after taking a year off from the mound, allowing just 53 hits in 63 2/3 innings with 62 strikeouts and 17 walks. The crafty left-hander is 11-5 lifetime against the Twins with a 3.46 ERA over 145 2/3 innings. He has one outing at Target Field, allowing two runs over eight innings in a victory.
Hendriks won his first career game after nine losses his last start, giving up two hits and two runs over six innings at Cleveland on Wednesday. Perhaps the Australian has found something as he prepares for his first-ever matchup against the Yankees. Hendriks has allowed 13 homers in 72 innings and a .313 batting average in 2012.
WALK-OFFS
1. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has hit safely in 17 straight games, with multiple hits in nine of them.
2. Minnesota has been shut out 11 times this season.
3. The Yankees play three teams with sub-.500 records to end the season, closing with Toronto and Boston.