The Oakland Athletics and Minnesota Twins square off for the rubber match today as the A’s look to win their first series of the year. Brandon McCarthy will make his second start of the season and square off against Scott Baker. The Twins were slight favorites in the first two games but are slightly heavier favorites today, coming in at -130.
The A’s are giving some of their regulars the day off, which means we get a new lineup today. Ryan Sweeney and Landon Powell each make their first start of the season in place of Coco Crisp and Kurt Suzuki, respectively. The A’s don’t have a ton of experience against Scott Baker, although once again David DeJesus leads the team in plate appearances against him given DeJesus’ time with the Royals. Kevin Kouzmanoff is the only starter who has homered off Baker and Hideki Matsui is hitting .364 against Baker, albeit only in 11 plate appearances.
The Twins have very limited experience against Brandon McCarthy given the fact that he missed all of last season. Justin Morneau and Delmon Young each have ten plate appearances against McCarthy with Morneau hitting .200 and Young hitting .286.
Oakland Athletics
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. Josh Willingham, LF
4. Hideki Matsui, DH
5. Ryan Sweeney, CF
6. Mark Ellis, 2B
7. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
8. Landon Powell, C
9. Cliff Pennington, SS
Minnesota Twins
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Joe Mauer, C
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Jim Thome, DH
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Jason Kubel, RF
7. Michael Cuddyer, 2B
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, SS