ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Morning rains have given way to sunshine in the O.C., and it's a beautiful afternoon. You can see the mountains beyond the outfield wall at Angel Stadium, with no hint of smog.

This is the setting for the start of the 2010 season for the Twins. The first of a four-game set against the Angels.

Update: Manager Ron Gardenhire said Scott Baker's pitch count will be about 90-95 tonight. The Twins are always cautious with their starters, but particularly early in the season.

* Francisco Liriano will join the Twins in Chicago, flying from Fort Myers, Fla. The Twins have a late game again Thursday and will fly to Chicago after the game. They are scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 5:30 a.m., Friday. Liriano pitches that night, so it makes no sense to fly across the country to come here and then fly through the night with his teammates before making his first start.

* No update on RHP Clay Condrey's MRI exam, as he was flying to Minnesota today.

* Pat Neshek is obviously excited to hear how his Butler Bulldogs fare tonight against Duke. "It's the kind of matchup you'd want," he said. "People talk about Butler being the Duke of the Midwest."

* This game will be broadcast in Japan, as Hideki Matsui makes his debut with the Angels.

TWINS

1. Denard Span, CF

2. Orlando Hudson, 2B

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF

6. Jason Kubel, DH

7. Delmon Young, LF

8. J.J. Hardy, SS

9. Nick Punto, 3B

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker

ANGELS

1. Erick Aybar, SS

2. Bobby Abreu, RF

3. Torii Hunter, CF

4. Hideki Matsui, DH

5. Kendry Morales, 1B

6. Juan Rivera, LF

7. Howie Kendrick, 2B

8. Brandon Wood, 3B

9. Jeff Mathis, C

Starting pitcher: RH Jered Weaver

Angel Stadium. First pitch: 9:05 p.m. (Central). TV: WFTC, ESPN (where not blacked out). Twins Radio Network