Seattle, eyeing their big weekend series against Oakland, lined up their best three starters to face the A's. That meant they needed a spot starter for tonight. Here comes former closer Tom Wilhelmsen for his first major league start. He threw 18 pitches in his last outing. He passed 30 pitches six times in June. But it's not clear how long he'll be able to go tonight, and the Mariners will go with bullpen matchups the rest of the way.
It seems to be a lot on the line for Seattle with giving Wilhelmsen his first ever start in this situation. They risk losing three of four games in this series.
The Twins, meanwhile, can win the four-game series and set themselves up to head into the All-Star break with a little positive momentum. Yohan Pino held the Yankees one run over six innings in his last outing but still is searching for his first major league win.
Twins (41-49)
Brian Dozier, 2B
Kurt Suzuki, C
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Josh Willingham, LF
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Trevor Plouffe, 3B
Eduardo Escobar, SS
Sam Fuld, CF
Yohan Fuld, CF
Mariners (49-42)
Endy Chaves, LF
James Jones, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Kyle Seager, 3B
Corey Hart, DH
Logan Morrison, 1B
Michael Saunders, RF
Mike Zunino, C
Willie Bloomquist, SS
