This weekend features a 2009 ALDS rematch between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees. Not only did the Yankees get the best of the Twins in that series, but they also went 7-0 against them in the regular season. Included in that record was a four game sweep of the Twins in a home series that was held over this very same weekend last year (May 14-18, 2009). Three of the four victories were of the walk off variety, and many have pointed to that series as a turning point in the 2009 season. The Yankees enter this showdown in much better shape, but could still use a positive weekend to help salvage a 1-4 start to the week.
In order to get the weekend off to a good start, the Yankees will need A.J. Burnett to return to his early season form after a disastrous start in Boston. Burnett will be opposed by Scott Baker, who has won two in a row, including an eight-inning, one run victory in his last start against Baltimore. Baker will face a Yankee lineup that is both struggling and reeling from injuries. Nick Swisher returns to the lineup after missing a game with bicep tightness, while Derek Jeter will play despite having a sore hand, which resulted from a hit-by-pitch in yesterday’s game against Justin Verlander. Still, the bottom of the lineup features Marcus Thames, Juan Miranda and Francisco Cervelli, so it is a far cry from what Baker has likely grown accustomed. Having said that, Baker probably won’t be happy to see Thames come to the plate. While with the Tigers, Thames put up a line of .308/.333/.769, including four home runs, in 27 PAs against Baker.
The Twins were recently stung by an injury to new shortstop JJ Hardy, who suffered a wrist contusion on May 5, but do have MVP Joe Mauer back in the lineup. The All Star catcher had missed several games with a bruised heel. Otherwise, the Twins lineup resembles the same one the Yankees faced in the ALDS, with the only exception being the addition of 2B Orlando Hudson.
| vs. Scott Baker | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | HR | RBI |
| Derek Jeter SS | 9 | 0.286 | 0.444 | 0.429 | 0 | 2 |
| Brett Gardner CF | 2 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Teixeira 1B | 7 | 0.571 | 0.571 | 1.000 | 1 | 2 |
| Alex Rodriguez 3B | 7 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 |
| Robinson Cano 2B | 6 | 0.333 | 0.333 | 0.500 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Swisher RF | 13 | 0.273 | 0.308 | 0.636 | 1 | 2 |
| Marcus Thames LF | 27 | 0.308 | 0.333 | 0.769 | 4 | 6 |
| Juan Miranda DH | 0 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0 | 0 |
| Francisco Cervelli C | 2 | 1.000 | 0.500 | 1.000 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 73 | 0.313 | 0.329 | 0.627 | 6 | 13 |
| Yankees vs. Twins | |||
| Season: 2010 | Season: 2009 | Season: 2008 | All-Time |
| TIED: 0-0 | NYY: 7-0 | NYY: 6-4 | NYY: 1101-764 |
- The Twins have not won a game at Yankee Stadium since July 5, 2007. Since 2002, they are 14-41 vs. the Yankees, including 3-23 in New York.
- Before the game, the Yankees claimed RHP Shane Lindsay off waivers from the Rockies. To make room on the roster, Christian Garcia was released. Garcia had been an emerging prospect before another in a series of injuries ended his season.
- The Twins lead the American League with 147 walks.
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