Yankees-Twins Series Preview

The Yanks and Twins play four in Minnesota, capped by an afternoon game on our nation's birthday.  The Yanks are horrendous right now, getting swept in Baltimore and having lost five straight.  The Twins, meantime, come off a four-game series split with Kansas City.  Here is a Yanks-Twins series preview.   

Player to watch:  the entire Yankee lineup.  This team often gets guys on, it just cannot drive them in.  Hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP) doesn't exist for the Yanks right now.  New York is now 25th in team batting average in baseball with a .239 mark and 23rd in runs scored.  Incredibly, the pitching, even though shaky lately, has kept the Yanks in enough games.  The offense has been the #1 issue.

Pitching match-ups:  Monday:  Andy Pettitte (5-6, 4.22) vs. Scott Diamond (5-7, 5.40). Tuesday:  Phil Hughes (3-7, 4.82) vs. Samuel Deduno (4-2, 3.32). Wednesday:  CC Sabathia (8-6, 4.15) vs. P.J. Walters (2-4, 6.03). Thursday:  David Phelps (5-5, 4.95) vs. Kyle Gibson (3.00).

Prediction:  Yankees win three of four.  This team's pitching is struggling at times and the hitting with RISP is even worse.  BUT, this is the Twins, and New York always beats Minnesota.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," 1-4, Yankees pre/post game host on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter at Twitter.com/MikeLSports.