When the Minnesota Twins open a three-game set against their Central Division rivals the Kansas City Royals on Monday night, the team will have to do so without the help of Joe Mauer. Mauer is currently day-to-day with a sprained right thumb which he injured on Sunday in the Twins' 6-3 win over the Cleveland Indians.
The Twins have won five of their last six and will look to continue on that impressive run despite not having Mauer at their disposal.
Here is the projected lineup they plan to field on Monday night:
Minnesota
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Ben Revere, RF
3. Josh Willingham, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Ryan Doumit, C
6. Trevor Plouffe, LF
7. Brian Dozier, SS
8. Alexi Casilla, 2B
9. Jamey Carroll, 3B
Starting pitcher: RH Cole De Vries (0-1, 2.70 ERA)
Kansas City
1. Alex Gordon, LF
2. Johnny Giavotella, 2B
3. Billy Butler, DH
4. Mike Moustakas, 3B
5. Jeff Francoeur, RF
6. Eric Hosmer, 1B
7. Alcides Escobar, SS
8. Jarrod Dyson, CF
9. Humberto Quintero, C
Starting pitcher: Will Smith (1-1, 6.75 ERA)
For more on the Minnesota Twins, check out Twinkie Town. More on the Kansas City Royals can be found over at Royals Review. If you want more news and analysis on the world of baseball, check out Baseball Nation.