The Minnesota Twins just snapped a six-game losing streak that saw them swept by the Boston Red Sox and lose two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays and one of two games against the Kansas City Royals. Minnesota took game three of that three-game set (with game two being postponed), a 7-4 victory on Sunday. Their offense hasn't been in a sorry state, it's just that their pitching hasn't been up to snuff. In three of their last four losses, they scored at least five runs.
Now, they've got a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels, who are in a slump of their own. L.A. has lost six of their last seven games, returning from a 1-5 road trip. Their lone win was a 2-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians, while they were shutout twice on the road trip.
The two teams have met in a three-game set once this season, with the Twins winning two of three, including a tight 10-9 outing. Nick Blackburn will take the mound for the Twins in game one. He's 0-2 with a 7.53 earned run average - mostly due to an 11-2 loss to Boston on Tuesday in which he only went three innings. C.J. Wilson will be pitching for the Angels, and he's not faring too much better in recent outings. He's 2-2 with a 2.42 ERA though.
There is sentiment that catcher Joe Mauer may not be able to play, as he's got some nagging injuries and soreness. It's a sore knee, so if he can't play at catcher, he could always move over to first base or even be the designated hitter.
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