ARLINGTON, Texas — Byron Buxton was at the airport in Birmingham, Ala., at 6:15 a.m. this morning, for a 9:15 a.m. flight to Texas. So yeah, he's a little excited about today.
The Twins' top prospect and new center fielder will bat ninth in the finale of this three-game series, just trying to play baseball as he figures out his new surroundings. Does he know anything at all about Texas starter Nick Martinez, who will deliver the first major-league pitch he's ever seen?
Not at all. "I'm just going to go up there and see the ball, hit the ball," Buxton said. "Let it eat."
Buxton took some fly balls from coach Butch Davis before the game, trying to calm himself down and get used to playing in a stadium with three decks. He's determined not to let all the attention he's receiving harm his focus on his game. "I really don't care about the pressure. I try not to pay too much attention to it," he said. "I just want to come out here and help us win."
Buxton's parents couldn't be here today, but his fiancee, 1-year-old son and future in-laws made it. They'll all be in Minneapolis on Wednesday for his Target Field debut.
Does Buxton realize what a big deal he is in the Twin Cities?
"Not yet," he said with a grin.
Here are the lineups for today's 2:05 game:
