New York @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 7, 2011 ) Minnesota 3, NY Yankees 4

THE STORY: Alex Rodriguez is expected to make his much-anticipated return to the lineup this weekend in Minnesota, but it won't be Thursday night when the New York Yankees open a four-game series against the Twins. After completing a brief rehab stint at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, Rodriguez said he wants to consult with manager Joe Girardi before returning to the lineup. Rodriguez underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and has not played since July 7. New York went 23-12 in his absence and holds a half-game lead over Boston atop the American League East.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, WWOR, FSNO

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH CC Sabathia (16-7, 8.10 ERA) vs. Royals LH Brian Duensing (8-11, 4.53 ERA).

If there's ever a good time to face Sabathia, this could be it for Minnesota. The big lefthander has been hit hard in his last two outings, losing back-to-back starts for the first time since July 27 and Aug. 1, 2010. Sabathia was tagged for five solo homers in a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday. He is 13-8 with a 2.94 ERA lifetime against the Twins, including seven innings of two-hit shutout ball in April.

Duensing lost his third straight start last time out against Cleveland, surrendering three runs on nine hits while striking out a career-high nine batters. He's been hurt by the long ball of late, coughing up five in his last three starts. That's an ominous sign against a team that leads the majors with 158 homers. He got a no-decision against the Yankees in early April, giving up four runs in seven innings.

ABOUT THE YANKEES (74-47): New York was unable to complete a sweep in Kansas City when a ninth-inning rally came up short. The Yankees are averaging nearly 6 ½ runs per game in going 10-5 this month. Derek Jeter is on a tear, batting .555 (15-for-27) with five RBIs during a six-game hitting streak. He’s had five multi-hit games in that span to raise his average to .290, the highest since the second game of the year. Curtis Granderson has hit six homers in eight games to give him 34 – one behind major league leader Jose Bautista of Toronto. Robinson Cano is batting .421 (16-for-38) with 11 RBIs in a nine-game hitting streak.

ABOUT THE TWINS (54-68): Minnesota has been reduced to playing spoiler and pursuing individual milestones. The Twins did both against AL Central-leading Detroit, winning two of three and watching Jim Thome become the eighth player to hit 600 career homers. Thome blasted No. 601 in Wednesday’s 6-5 victory that gave Minnesota its first series win since July 14-17 against Kansas City. Justin Morneau, in his fifth game back after missing two months due to neck surgery, had the go-ahead two-run single in the ninth. Jason Kubel (personal) will miss Thursday’s game while Michael Cuddyer (neck) and Denard Span (concussion) also could be sidelined.

FINAL PITCH: The Twins will honor Thome for his home run milestone in a pregame ceremony Thursday. Maybe it will change their luck against the Yankees, who have won eight of their last nine games at Target Field. Minnesota also is only 9-21 against AL East foes this season.