Series Preview: Those #@$% Yankees Again

On Monday night, the Twins begin a three-game series against the perennial nemesis, New York Yankees. The Twins salvaged a victory in the tundra series against the lowly Nationals, but still struggled mightily to provide an offensive spark. This series features familiar pitching opponents, albeit in different match-ups than the prior Twins vs. Yankees encounter.

Fun Fact: The last time the Yankees and Twins squared off was just eight days ago. Average attendance at those four games was around 39,000 per game. Since opening day, the Twins have averaged 17,176 fans in attendance at Target Field. 

Weather Factor: It won't be as cold for this series, but it won't be summer baseball either. Expect low 50's to high 40's for the Yankees series, with no threat of precipitation until later in the homestand.

Pitching Probables
Game 1 - Monday, April 24th - 6:40pm CDT - The first game in the series will feature Twins RHP Sonny Gray (2-0, 0.82 ERA) versus Yankees RHP Jhony Brito (2-1, 5.40 ERA).

The last time the Twins saw Brito, they liked what they saw to the tune of a nine-run first inning! While the Yankee faithful showered Brito with boos, the Twins welcome him back with open arms. Which version of Brito will we see? The one who entered that previous encounter with a sub-one ERA, or the one that hasn't been able to make it through five full innings in his last two starts?

Gray has been a consistent and positive force for the starting rotation, but he struggled to command the strike zone against Boston last week, and it ended up causing the Twins to rely on the bullpen an inning or two before they were ready.

Game 2 – Tuesday, April 25th – 6:40pm CDT - In the pitching matchup of the series, Twins ace (if victories are what matter most) Joe Ryan (4-0, 3.24 ERA) takes the mound opposite Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes (3-0, 3.09 ERA).

Cortes shut down the Twins last week, but Ryan shut down the Yankees in his start as well. The Twins haven't solved a left-handed pitcher yet, so they will have to see if the addition of Polanco adds some right-handed spice to the mix. It's also T-Shirt day, so if the game stinks at least you get free stuff.

Game 3 - Wednesday - 12:10pm CDT - The Twins hope to send RHP Kenta Maeda (0-3, 4.15 ERA) out to test his recently battered leg, in search of his first Win of the season. The Yankees counter with Captain Rosin, RHP Domingo German (1-2, 4.50 ERA), who dominated the Twins in suspect fashion last week.

Will Rocco Baldelli have some fun with the umpires again Wednesday? Or will the Twins finally figure out German's spin-rate to give Maeda a win and a chance to stay in the rotation?

Prediction Time!
What’s your prediction for our last series against the Yankees this season? Can the Twins offense find any hope? How will the Twins respond to their performance against the Nationals? A sweep feels overly ambitious, but can we win the season series? Let's go, Twins Territory!