Since 2002, the Twins are now 21-57 against the New York Yankees in the regular season. That’s not battling your tail off. That’s getting your butt kicked. Time and time again.
To make matters worse, they’re doing it with nobodies in the field. As the Star Tribune’s Howard Sinker put it today in his “A Fan’s View” column: “The Yankees know they can beat the Twins with Laynce Nix at shortstop, David Adams at third and Zoilo Almonte in the outfield.”
We’re guessing that gap could get one game wider after tonight’s contest at Target Field.
C.C. Sabathia (8-6, 4.15 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won the first two games of their four-game series with Minnesota this week. Sabathia is seeking career victory No. 200, and his ninth win in a row against the Twins.
During that 8-0 stretch, Sabathia has a 1.79 ERA, effectively shutting down Justin Morneau (6 for 43) and Joe Mauer (6 for 35).
The Yankees, meanwhile, face struggling starter P.J. Walters (2-4, 6.03), who is winless in his last five starts after winning his first two since being called up from Class AAA Rochester.
With Mike Pelfrey headed back to the Twins rotation this Saturday, this could be Walters’ last chance to show that he belongs in the majors right now.
“I don’t make those calls,” Walters told the Star-Tribune last week. “My job is to pitch when they tell me to.”
As for his next start, Walters tells MLB.com: “I’ve got to come back and straighten some things out.”
