We’ve said it before.
But we really mean it this time.
The next 14 games could make or break the Twins’ season.
They’re all against teams from the American League East, starting tonight when the Yankees come to town. After that, a killer road trip with three against Toronto, four against Tampa Bay and another three against New York.
Tonight, Andy Pettitte against Scott Diamond is your pitching match-up at Target Field.
But these aren’t the Bronx Bombers you’re used to seeing.
Mark Teixiera, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Kevin Youkillis are all out of the lineup. And the Yankees — riding a five-game losing streak — are only three games over .500 at 42-39.
Some in the New York media are already throwing in the towel on this season. New York Post Yankees blogger Ken Davidoff hints that the 2013 edition could struggle to win 75 games this year.
In his words: “You’re simply not going to win many games with a lineup featuring Jayson Nix hitting second, David Adams seventh, a platoon-disadvantaged Lyle Overbay eighth and Austin Romine ninth.”
All that being said, the Twins still have to figure out Pettitte, who has won his last 10 starts against Minnesota. In 22 career starts against the Twins, Pettitte is 12-5, with a 3.32 ERA.
