A THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD
Tonight, 7:10 p.m. FSN 1500-AM
LHP Francisco Liriano (4-7, 4.98) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (9-4, 3.92)
Saturday, 6:10 p.m. FSN 1500-AM
RHP Carl Pavano (5-6, 4.24) vs. LHP Chris Narveson (5-5, 4.42)
Sunday, 1:10 p.m. FSN 1500-AM
RHP Nick Blackburn (6-6, 3.64) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (7-2, 5.63)
ABOUT THE TWINS
The Twins this weekend can win their fifth consecutive home series if they can figure out the Brewers, who swept them in three games at Miller Park last week. ... The Twins are backing up talk of stealing more bases. They had 24 steals total in April and May but stole 22 bases this month alone. They swiped six bases over the final two games of the Dodgers series. ... Twins closer Matt Capps has converted his past five save opportunities and has thrown six consecutive scoreless innings. ... Scott Baker is on a roll that could make him an All-Star Game candidate, but he's pushing for Michael Cuddyer. "If there is one guy on our team that deserves to go, it's Michael Cuddyer," he said, "I hope it's him, honestly." ... With Joe Nathan pitching well Tuesday, the Twins' late-inning setup situation looks better with Nathan and lefthander Glen Perkins.
ABOUT THE BREWERS
Mat Gamel was called up from Class AA Huntsville to add a bat during interleague games in American League parks. He also could be Prince Fielder's replacement after 2011 if Fielder leaves as a free agent. ... Milwaukee could use a boost to its bullpen and could get one this weekend, because righthander Takashi Saito is close to returning from an oblique muscle strain. The Brewers probably will send down a position player to make room for him. ... Let's compare. Zack Greinke entered Tuesday's start in New York with a 0-3 record and 11.29 ERA in Yankee Stadium, and was rocked for seven earned runs in two innings. Greinke last year was 0-4, 8.18 against the Twins and is 3-8, 4.90 career against them heading into Sunday's game. ... Stopping Fielder and Ryan Braun last week was tough enough. Yuniesky Betancourt, Jonathan Lucroy and Rickie Weeks were 13-for-29 against the Twins.
LA VELLE E. NEAL III