Scott Diamond needs great start in meaningless game

The Twins and Blue Jays are set to play their final regular season game of the year that has no implications on the standings but for Twins' starting pitcher Scott Diamond the game will mean much more as he makes his first start in his native homeland of Canada.

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire told Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press:

"We had talked about how much is enough, but he really wants to pitch," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "This is a big start for him. He really wants this desperately. He thinks this is very important in Canada, where he's from, to make this final start of the year here.

Diamond grew up a die hard Blue Jays fan an hour west of Toronto in Guelph, Ontario and has pitched at the Rogers Center once before in 2009 as a member of the Canadian National team. Diamond also pitched against the Blue Jays at Target Field in May of this year, defeating them 4-3.

Diamond is 12-8 on the year with a 3.54 era.