The tarp is down. There's been occasional drizzle. But there's more optimism that this game will be played than yesterday when the forecast was more ominous.

Joe Mauer is not in the lineup today, which manager Paul Molitor said was by design. Mauer had played in all 28 games before today.

``That's been a real positive sign for us," Molitor said. ``His health and his production."

Lefthander Drew Pomeranz is on the mound for Oakland today, but Molitor said there's no way he could keep Eddie Rosario out of the lineup after the boffo start to his big league career last night.

Brian Dozier has a nice, red mark on his left side where he was hit with a pitch last night, but he's back in the lineup.

The Twins, weather permitting, will wrap up an 11-game homestand today, a homestand where they have found a little bit of a groove. What exactly is that groove? They are batting .319 over the last 10 games and averaging 6.7 runs a game. They have fought back from deficits, hit good pitching and have made adjustments.

The pitching staff has been solid. Starters have been up and down, but a 3.72 ERA on the homestand isn't too shabby. And the bullpen has gotten it done with setup man Casey Fien on the disabled list. Fien, by the way, has been cleared to begin a throwing program.

The Twins began the day tied for the fifth best winning percentage in the American League.


Athletics

Billy Burns,. CF
Sam Fuld, LF
Josh Reddick, RF
Billy Butler, DH
Ike Davis, 1B
Brett Lawrie, 2B
Max Muncy, 3B
Josh Phegley, C
Eric Sogard, 2B

Drew Pomeranz, LHP

Twins

Brian Dozier, 2B
Torii Hunter, DH
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Eduardo Escobar, LF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Shane Robinson, CF
Eddie Rosario, RF
Danny Santana, SS

Ricky Nolasco, RHP