Miguel Sano is in the lineup and playing third base today in the first game of a doubleheader at Target Field. Sano hasn't played since Sept. 12 due to a sore back, but he feels a lot better and is looking to finish the season strong.
Joe Mauer is not in the lineup, but manager Paul Molitor might start him in the second game because . Mauer is a career .333 hitter against the former Cy Young winner. But Mauer is not 100 percent because of the sore quad. His swing doesn't look the same because he doesn't have his legs under him.
Brian Dozier is in the lineup for Game 1, which wasn't a sure thing. He got nailed in the ribs with a pitch in the third inning last night, leaving a nice red mark just under his left armpit. It didn't help that Detroit's Buck Farmer sent three pickoff throws to first while Dozier was there, forcing him to dive back into the bag. Ouch. Molitor was not sure if Dozier would play the second game.
This is the second doubleheader of the year at Target Field. The other one was Aug. 11 against Houston. The Twins were swept in those games by a combined score of 25-9.
Still waiting on the Tigers lineup. Ian Kinsler won't play because of a concussion. The Tigers were checking on Victor Martinez, who has been slowed by a sore knee.
Tigers
TBA
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Jorge Polanco, SS
Max Kepler, RF
Miguel Sano, 3B
Kennys Vargas, 1B
Kurt Suzuki, DH
Robbie Grossman, LF
John Ryan Murphy, C
Byron Buxton, CF
Pat Dean, LHP
