NEW YORK -- Joe Mauer is on a hot streak away from home, having recorded a hit in 15 of his last 16 games away from Target Field. He's actually the American League's best career road hitter, among current players, with a .322 lifetime average. Only Joey Votto of Cincinnati (.332) is better.
But the Twins' all-star catcher has another history worth considering today, too. He's 7-for-39 all-time against CC Sabathia, with 15 strikeouts. That's marginally better than Justin Morneau (6-for-47, .128), but still not a great record.
That's a big part of the reason that Sabathia has been so dominant against the Twins, who will try to beat him today for the first time since 2007.
Sabathia has beaten the Twins in 12 straight regular season and postseason games, and has allowed three runs or fewer in each one.
The Twins will try a rookie opposite Sabathia; Kyle Gibson starts today, hoping to improve upon the eight-run, 11-hit start he absorbed from the Yankees on the Fourth of July.
Oswaldo Arcia gets another day off as the Twins try to restore his swing and his confidence, and Ryan Doumit returns to the outfield for the first time since June 19.
One other note: The Twins will start Mike Pelfrey, Kevin Correia and Scott Diamond, in that order, next weekend against Cleveland in Target Field, according to Ron Gardenhire, then go with Kyle Gibson, Sam Deduno and Pelfrey to open their West Coast road trip in Anaheim.
Here are today's lineups from steamy Yankee Stadium:
