THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Samuel Deduno (7-4, 3.18) vs. RHP Jarred Cosart (1-0, 0.86)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Kyle Gibson (2-3, 6.21) vs. LHP Erik Bedard (3-8, 4.28)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 5.31) vs. LHP Dallas Keuchel (5-5, 4.63)

TWINS UPDATE

Catcher Joe Mauer was 1-for-4 on Thursday and is batting .449 with a .526 on-base percentage over his past 13 games. … Second baseman Brian Dozier (back and left knee) returned to the lineup Friday and was 1-for-4 with a double to extend his hitting streak to a career-high eight games. … Justin Morneau, who hit his ninth homer of the season Friday against the Royals, has another favorable matchup against Bedard. Morneau is a career .379 hitter with two home runs off Bedard. … All eight of Pedro Florimon's home runs have come while batting against a lefthanded pitcher. … The Twins dropped two of three games to Houston in 2009 at the Metrodome, the last time the teams met.

ASTROS UPDATE

They are on their way to a third consecutive 100-loss season. They have 12 rookies on the roster. They are taking their lumps, but the Astros believe that better days are ahead. "We're moving in the right direction,'' Astros manager Bo Porter told local media. "The guys that we have here, they understand the opportunity that stands in front of them.'' … After trading starter Bud Norris to Baltimore on Wednesday at the trade deadline, the Astros' payroll is down to a reported $13 million. … Jimmy Paredes has been called up to replace the traded Justin Maxwell and will join a group of outfielders that includes Brandon Barnes, Robbie Grossman, Marc Krauss and L.J. Hoes.

Bo Porter

La VELLE E. NEAL III