Matchup:

Yankees Lead Series 2-0.

New York Yankees: LHP Andy Pettitte (14-8), 4.16 ERA, 148 K’s, 194.2 IP.

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Melky Cabrera, CF

VS.

Minnesota Twins: RHP Carl Pavano (5-4), 4.64 ERA, 59 K’s, 73.2 IP (with Twins in 2009).

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Brendan Harris, 3B
8. Jose Morales, DH
9. Nick Punto, 2B

Twins starter Carl Pavano faces his former team in must win game at the Metrodome against seasoned Playoff veteran Andy Pettitte. The Twins squandered too many chances in game 2 and the Yankees took advantage to put the Twins 1 loss away from elimanation in their AL Division Series.

The Metrodome and its fans has provided a much needed boost of energy for the Twins in their push into the playoffs, and this needs to continue in this game. Despite not being able to put the Yankees away in any game this season, the Twins have put pressure on the Yankees, as they have required 4 walk-off to maintain their unbeaten record. The killer instinct that has missing needs to come alive, and a packed house will help again in that regard (hopefully).

Plus, they have to win since I have tickets for Monday…

Twins Notes:

-After suffering an oblique injury in Game 2, third baseman Matt Tolbert has been replaced by left-handed hitter Brian Buscher.

-Scott Baker will start the if necessary Game 4 on Monday, while Nick Blackburn would start the rubber match Game 5 in New York.

Headlines:

-Twins catcher Joe Mauer is battling a hip-flexor injury, but has no plans of taking a night off.

-The Minnesota-New York Series, isn’t the only one this postseason with questionable and missed calls by the umpiring crews.

-Yankees reliever David Robertson, showed in Game 2 his knack for being an escape artist.

-Pavano isn’t remembered in a good light in New York, and Andy Pettitte is quite the opposite.