FOUR-GAME SERIES AT TROPICANA FIELD
Thursday, 5:40 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
RHP Carl Pavano (1-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. RHP James Shields (0-1, 4.73)
Friday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
RHP Nick Blackburn (1-1, 0.77) vs. RHP Wade Davis (0-2, 4.38)
Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • Fox, 1500-AM
RHP Scott Baker (0-2, 6.55) vs. RHP Jeff Niemann (0-2, 8.31)
Sunday, 12:40 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM
LHP Brian Duensing (0-0, 4.15) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (1-1, 4.09)
TWINS UPDATE
The schedule makers didn't do the Twins any favors this year, making them play their first four road series in American League East ballparks. The Twins went 1-2 in Toronto and in New York. This trip brings a four-game series at Tropicana Field, where they haven't won a series since 2006, followed by four games at Baltimore. Last year, the Twins went 2-2 at Tampa Bay and 3-1 at Baltimore, so these venues shouldn't be as daunting as Yankee Stadium. But just two years ago, the Twins went 3-14 in AL East ballparks, counting the postseason. ... Joe Mauer has batted .433 for his career at Tropicana Field, with 29 hits in 67 at-bats. He was out of the lineup Wednesday for the second time in 11 games because the Twins had a noon start after playing 10 innings Tuesday night.RAYS UPDATE
After winning an American League-best 96 games last year, Tampa Bay lost Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Rafael Soriano to free agency. Now, Evan Longoria is on the disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle, and Manny Ramirez has retired, so it's little wonder the Rays were 1-8 heading into this week's series at Boston. The bullpen has been completely remade, with Kyle Farnsworth notching the team's first two saves. But into this vacuum, Sam Fuld is emerging as a cult hero. The outfielder has made some highlight-reel catches and batted .313 with six stolen bases in his first nine games. Blaine native Dan Johnson hit a three-run, game-winning homer against the White Sox last Friday but is batting just .122.
