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Rain in forecast for matchup of lefthanders

Matt Moore has a 0.77 ERA in September for the Rays but the Twins counter with Andrew Albers, who has three no-run games already.

September 14, 2013 at 9:44PM
Minnesota Twins pitcher Andrew Albers (63) in the third inning August 12, 2013 vs. the Indians at Target Field.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Andrew Albers (63) in the third inning August 12, 2013 vs. the Indians at Target Field. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Rain is on the way, perhaps as soon as sundown (not that we can see it through the overcast skies), so a fast game tonight is advised. The left-handers on the mound might be able to provide one.

Andrew Albers gave up only four hits in seven innings during his last start, and he's had two other scoreless outings in his seven-game major-league career. And Matt Moore has given up one run or fewer in six of his last eight starts; he's 15-3 and hasn't lost a game since mid-June. Of course, he missed August with elbow soreness, but with an ERA of 0.77 since he returned, the pain doesn't seem to be a problem anymore.

The Twins have a little more firepower in their lineup than they did last night, with Ryan Doumit, Josh Willingham and Chris Colabello all starting again. Doumit bats third because, as manager Ron Gardenhire points out, he's been OK batting right-handed; his .283 average and .338 on-base percentage are markedly better than his left-handed numbers.

Chris Herrmann will catch, despite the lefty on the mound and the presence of right-handed-hitting Josmil Pinto on the roster, because he is so experienced catching Albers. Gardenhire likes the combination well enough to give up a little offense at the position. And Brian Dozier makes his first appearance at the No. 2 slot, where Gardenhire has said a few times he particularly likes his second baseman, since July 10.

A notable change in Tampa Bay's lineup, too: former Twin Delmon Young, who turns 28 today, bats sixth as the DH for the Rays.

Tonight's lineups:

RAYS

Jennings CF

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Johnson 2B

Longoria 3B

Myers RF

Loney 1B

Young DH

Rodriguez LF

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Lobaton C

Escobar SS

Moore LHP

TWINS

Presley CF

Dozier 2B

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Doumit DH

Arcia RF

Plouffe 3B

Willingham LF

Colabello 1B

Herrmann C

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Florimon SS

Albers LHP

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about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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