The Twins aren’t in danger today of looking ahead to their four-game series with the Tigers. That’s because they have a big enough challenge on their hands in trying to find a way to beat Royals ace and Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke.

It will mark the first time that the Twins have seen Greinke this season. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire didn’t try to make any alterations to his lineup just to find a way to beat Greinke, after all his club has outscored their opponents 80-40 over their last 12 games as they’ve gone 11-1. AndGardenhire pointed out that his team has stepped against big game pitchers already this season.

“Listen, we beat [Roy] Halladay in Toronto,” Gardenhire
said referring to the Twins win on Sept. 9. “He’s as good as they get. You’ve gotta beat the good ones. If
you get to the playoffs, you’re going to face really good ones. So it’s
a nice little run for you against a very good pitcher, but we’re not
going to try to get too innovative here and start screwing with a
lineup that’s been working.”

Twins (80-73)
2nd place in AL Central, 2 games back
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, DH
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Jose Morales, C
Matt Tolbert, 3B
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: LHP Francisco Liriano (5-12, 5.75)

Royals (63-92)
5th place in AL Central, 20.5 games back
Willie Bloomquist, LF
Mitch Maier, CF
Billy Butler, 1B
Brayan Pena, DH
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Miguel Olivo, C
Mark Teahen, RF
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS
Luis Hernandez, 2B
Pitching: RHP Zack Greinke (15-8, 2.08)

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