Game 127: Twins at Rays

Pre-Game Notes

Today's Lineups

MINNESOTA TWINS	TAMPA BAY RAYS
Byron Buxton - CF	Brandon Guyer - RF
Brian Dozier - 2B	Daniel Nava - 1B
Joe Mauer - DH	Evan Longoria - 3B
Miguel Sano - 3B	Logan Forsythe - 2B
Trevor Plouffe - 1B	Asdrubal Cabrera - SS
Torii Hunter - RF	Joey Butler - LF
Eduardo Escobar - SS	Tim Beckham - DH
Kurt Suzuki - C	Kevin Kiermaier - CF
Shane Robinson - LF	J.P. Arencibia - C
Tommy Milone - LHP	Drew Smyly - LHP

• Going into play today, the Twins lead the Angels and the Rangers by one half game for the second Wild Card spot and trail the Yankees by four games for the first spot. The Orioles are two back of the Twins.
• In the AL Central, Minnesota trails the Royals by 12 games. Cleveland, Chicago, and Detroit are all either five or five and a half back of the Twins.
• After leading the Yankees in all three games last week before going 0-3 in New York, the Twins have taking four from the Orioles in Baltimore and have a chance to sweep the Rays in Tampa Bay. Going 7-3 on a big road trip like this, versus good AL East teams, has left Minnesota in good stead.
• Joe Mauer is the designated hitter tonight, shifting Trevor Plouffe to first and Miguel Sano to third.
• Eddie Rosario gets the night off. Torii Hunter hits sixth and plays right; Shane Robinson is in left and batting ninth.
• Tommy Milone started last Friday before throwing an inning in relief on Sunday and picking up his first career save. It's been four days since that relief appearance.
• It's easy to look at Asdrubal Cabrera's overall line and chuckle that he's batting fifth, but he's hitting .396/.438/.635 since the All-Star break.
• Winning tonight would put the Twins five games over .500 for the first time since July 30.