Thursday pregame: Lineups and Twins notes

The Twins will try to win their third consecutive series today, when they face the Red Sox at Target Field.

Boston has knuckleballer Tim Wakefield on the mound, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has inserted Jim Thome at DH, with Jason Kubel in left field, and Delmon Young on the bench.

The Twins don't have very good numbers, collectively, against Wakefield, but here are some career numbers:

Thome 9-for-55 (.164) with three home runs

Kubel 2-for-8 (.250)

Young 3-for-18 (.167) with one home run

MEDICAL REPORT

LHP Brian Duensing has the stomach flu and it'll be a game-time decision whether he's available out of the bullpen.

LHP Ron Mahay is here and available to pitch, Gardenhire said.

ALSO NOTABLE

Catcher Jose Morales continues to rehab from right wrist surgery, but the Twins are not planning to have Morales replace Drew Butera as the backup catcher as soon as he's healthy. Morales will have to show he can throw runners out before the Twins make him the backup, Gardenhire said.

RED SOX (4-4)

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. Victor Martinez, C

4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

5. Adrian Beltre, 3B

6. Mike Lowell, DH

8. Mike Cameron, CF

9. Bill Hall, LF

Starting pitcher: RH Tim Wakefield (0-0, 2.57 ERA)

TWINS (6-3)

1. Denard Span, CF

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF

6. Jim Thome, DH

7. Jason Kubel, LF

9. Nick Punto, 3B

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (0-0, 4.50 ERA)