By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

DETROIT — The Twins are going for their seventh straight series win today in their rubber match against the Tigers, but they’ll be doing so without a few of their key hitters in the lineup.

Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and J.J. Hardy are all not starting today. For Morneau it’s the second straight game he’s missed due to oblique stiffness in his mid-back. Mauer’s legs are a little sore and he is a little banged up from catching while Hardy is battling a case of turf toe.

Mauer and Hardy are available off the bench. Morneau will get another full day of rest — he won’t even swing today — and the expectation is that he could be back in the lineup perhaps as early as tomorrow in Cleveland.

Twins

(14-7)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Jason
Kubel, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Luke Hughes, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Pitching: RHP Carl Pavano (3-1, 4.24
ERA)

Tigers (12-10)
Austin
Jackson, CF
Johnny
Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Scott Sizemore, 2B
Adam Everett, SS
Pitching: LHP Dontrelle Willis (0-1, 5.00 ERA)

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