A couple of Mauer notes to share with you

In 2009, Joe Mauer was sick before the first game of a series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. When asked if he could play, he said he had to because his mother made the trip for the games. He then homered in his second at bat.

On Friday, Mauer homered in his second at-bat in the first game of a series against the Cubs at Wrigley. Again.

When asked if it was a flashback to 2009, he said he's been sick lately.

"Yeah, I was sick and I'm a little under the weather right now," he said. "I'm trying to get the fluids back in me and get back in there tomorrow."

Um, Joe...is your mother here too?

"Yes, she is.

So we know how to get Mauer rolling. Get him sick and send him and his mother to Chicago.

And another Mauer note: Mauer and his wife, Maddie, are expecting their third child. And, no, they aren't expecting twins again.

"I checked, and it's one, not two," Mauer said. "We're expecting around Thanksgiving and we're really excited."

They will wait until birth to learn if it will be a boy or girl.