This week is as big a week as the Minnesota Twins have faced in this 2011 Major League Baseball season. After a disastrous start that saw them fall as far as 16.5 games back in the American League Central race, they have pulled themselves to within five games of the division co-leaders, the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers. Their next eight games. . .all of which will be contested at Target Field. . .will be against those two opponents, starting with today's doubleheader against the Indians.
These two teams are playing a doubleheader today because they were rained out at April 22 at Target Field. This means that the Twins will be playing eight games in the next seven days, and with the heat hitting Minnesota the way it has over the past couple of days, it remains to be seen what sort of impact it will have on the team.
In the first half of today's doubleheader, the Twins will give right-hander Anthony Swarzak (2-2, 3.38 ERA) a spot start in place of Scott Baker, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to the issues he's been having with his elbow. Swarzak last started back on Sunday against the White Sox, and pitched well, allowing one run on just four hits in six innings of work as the Twins defeated Chicago by a score of 6-3.
To counter, the Indians will go with left-hander David Huff, who will be making his first appearance of the season for the Indians. The 26-year old Huff has a record of 13-19 with a 5.84 ERA in his career.
First pitch from Target Field is scheduled for 12:10 PM Central time.