By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins and Tigers are set to meet in Minnesota for the first time since Game 163 last October, although this time it’s at a new venue (Target Field instead of the Metrodome) and the Tigers seem very excited about that fact.

The two AL Central foes are vying for first place in this series, as the Twins currently sit just a half game ahead of Detroit in the standings.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said that Joe Mauer’s sore left heel is “still sore but it’s feeling better than yesterday.” Mauer remains unavailable, even as a pinch-hitter although the skipper wanted to keep the opponents guessing. The club wants Mauer to get all of the soreness out of his heel before he tries to do any baseball activities. For now, Mauer is getting treatment on the heel and doing some aquatherapy — quite a bit since no one saw him.

Nick Blackburn was back in the Twins clubhouse on Monday afternoon following his family medical emergency leave. He said that everything is OK with his family and he’s glad to be back with the team. He’s scheduled to start on Tuesday and will try to bounce back from a few of the struggles

As for Scott Baker pitching tonight and his high number of walks, Gardy said that it’s a new month and he’s looking forward to the right-hander turning things around.

“It was April.
Heard a lot about April and his slow starts. We’re going to turn it
around and be fine in May.”

Tigers (16-10)
Austin

Jackson, CF
Johnny
Damon, DH
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Brennan
Boesch, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Ryan Raburn, 2B
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: RHP Max Scherzer (1-1, 4.23 ERA)

Twins

(16-9)
Denard Span, CF
Orlando
Hudson, 2B
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Jason
Kubel, LF
J.J. Hardy, SS
Wilson Ramos, C
Nick Punto, 3B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (2-2, 5.72
ERA)

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