Twins manager Paul Molitor has trotted out his right-handed hitters against Sox ace lefty Chris Sale.
Mauer not in starting lineup as Twins face White Sox ace
Mauer is available to pinch hit and will be in lineup on Sunday, but is getting a day off today.
Joe Mauer is batting .338 against lefties - but is not in the lineup.
``I'm taking a big picture approach with Joe," Molitor said, later adding that Mauer will be in the lineup tomorrow.
Mauer is batting .296 against Sale and .391 against Jose Quintana, tomorrow's starter.
Mauer insisted before the game that he's fine.
``I told (Molitor) that I was ready to play," he said.
Mauer is available to pinch hit and expects to play tomorrow. It just seems strange that this is happening during a week with two scheduled off days.
First pitch probably won't be until 3:25, because the White Sox will retire Paul Konerko's No. 14 before the game. That will give you time to throw another burger on the grill.
Twins
Brian Dozier, 2B
Shane Robinson,. LF
Trevor Plouffe, 1B
Torii Hunter, RF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Eduardo Nunez, DH
Aaron Hicks, CF
Danny Santana. SS
Trevor May, RHP
White Sox
Adam Eaton, CF
Melky Cabrera, LF
Jose Abreu, 1B
Adam LaRoche, DH
Conor Gillaspie, 3B
Alexei Ramirez, SS
J.B. Shuck, RF
Tyler Flowers, C
Carlos Sanchez, 2B
Chris Sale, LHP
Robust competition is likely for righthander Roki Sasaki, whose agent suggests a “smaller, midmarket” team might be a good route to take, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are said to be the favorites to land him.