Game 45: Yankees at Twins

Yankees
Derek Jeter SS

Brett Gardner CF
Mark Teixeira DH
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Juan Miranda 1B
Francisco Cervelli C
Kevin Russo LF

RHP A.J. Burnett

Twins

TBA

RHB Scott Baker

On Target: This is the Yankees first look at the brand new Target Field in Minnesota. It's 88 degrees and sunny in Minneapolis, so they won't miss the Metrodome tonight.

Finally an off-day: Yesterday, the Yankees got their first scheduled off day since May 7 (there was a rain-induced day off on May 11). Hopefully this day-off helps some people who are struggling, like A-Rob and Teixeira. Francisco Cervelli had also caught 7 consecutive days, so his legs got a little bit of a break.

Injury Report: Marcus Thames is available to play, he just is not playing today against the righty Baker. Alfredo Aceves was throwing on flat ground in Tampa, and his back tightened up, so his status is uncertain for now. Javier Vazquez threw a bullpen session today after getting hit on the index finger bunting on Friday night. Curtis Granderson has started his rehab assignment, and he should return to the team in Cleveland this weekend.

We Hardly Knew You: This series is the last of the Twinkies the Yankees will see this year in the regular season. Just another oddity of the MLB scheduling system.

Super Jersey: The NFL awarded the New Meadowland Stadium the Super Bowl in 2014. Now, being born in New Jersey and living here for 16 of the 19 years of my life, I don't like this whole "New York/New Jersey" bid thing. The game's in NJ, not NY. I also don't like how they're called the New York Giants and Jets. If we're paying tax dollars to build stadiums, at least name the teams after the state they actually play in. And I'll bet $10 that they do the cliche thing and have Bon Jovi do the halftime show.