The Twins are scheduled to open a three-game interleague series with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Target Field on Tuesday night, but they are prepared for it to turn into a two-game series — or a two-day series in which three games are played.

Cold, wet and windy weather has slammed the Twin Cities in recent days, suggesting Mother Nature might squeeze one more rainout from the Twins before the month is over. They have had to postpone two games already this season, including Sunday against Detroit. If the Twins are postponed Tuesday, they will have had a three-game break — almost the equivalent of the All-Star break.

"Obviously, it is a challenging weather forecast," Twins President Dave St. Peter said. "We are taking it one day a time."

Tuesday's forecast is for highs in the low 40s with a wind at 10 to 15 miles per hour, and it appears to be the worst of the three days in which games are scheduled against the Dodgers. If the series opener is postponed, the teams could play a day-night doubleheader Wednesday — weather permitting.

The Twins plan to wait until Tuesday afternoon to make a decision on the game. Since this is the Dodgers' only visit, they have less flexibility to reschedule. The Twins already have taken a peek at mutual off days down the road, and there are three: May 19, July 28 and Aug 25. If they have to play on one of those off days, the league and players' association likely would have to sign off on it.

"The forecast is a little bit better each day," St. Peter said. "There's a little less chance of rain Thursday. It isn't great, but it's less than Tuesday."

So this Dodgers-Twins series is bound to be remembered for Gore-Tex, radiant heaters and hot chocolate.

"They said there would be weeks like that when we left the Dome," St. Peter said.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III