Twins-L.A. Dodgers series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

RHP Kyle Gibson (3-1, 3.63 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (4-0, 2.45)

RHP Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.32) vs. RHP Dan Haren (3-0, 2.03)

RHP Ricky Nolasco (2-2, 6.67) vs. RHP Josh Beckett (0-0, 2.45)

This is the first of 20 interleague games for the Twins this season, 16 of them against the NL West and four against Milwaukee. They are 6-3 all-time in interleague games against the Dodgers. They also lost the 1965 World Series to Los Angeles in seven games. The Twins swept a three-game series at the Metrodome in 2006 and took two of three at Target Field in 2011. … They are 165-137 all-time in interleague play but have not posted a winning record since going 12-6 in 2009. They went 8-12 in interleague play last year. … The Twins are third in the AL in runs scored but 13th in runs allowed, so their differential is only plus-5. ... Los Angeles-area native Nolasco, who spent the final three months of last season with the Dodgers, is 1-2 with a 6.67 ERA against them. Pelfrey is 1-1 with a 3.43 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.

This is the first stop on a nine-game road trip that will take them to Miami and Washington as well. They are 8-3 on the road, the second-best road record in the majors behind the Brewers. … Greinke hasn't given up more than two earned runs in his past 17 starts, the longest such streak since 1900. But he is 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA in five career starts at Target Field and 4-8 against the Twins overall. Dan Haren is 1-2 with a 7.48 ERA at Target Field. But Beckett has given up more than two runs only twice in six career starts vs. the Twins. ... Two-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw is away rehabbing a back injury. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez suffered a bruised right thumb Saturday and is day-to-day. Catcher A.J. Ellis is recovering from knee surgery; former Twin Drew Butera has started six games in his place.

PHIL MILLER