By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins know the task ahead of them if they want to continue in the postseason: win three straight games over the Yankees.

But of course, that all starts with winning Game 3 on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium if the Twins are to keep their season alive. And the Twins players talked at length during Friday’s workout about focusing on one game at a time.

Left-hander Brian Duensing is making his second ALDS start at Yankee Stadium. The first came last year in Game 1 when Duensing got the start after the Twins used all of their other starters down the stretch to force a Game 163 and earn the AL Central title. This time, Duensing knows what awaits him in the start and he sounded ready for the job.

Manager Ron Gardenhire had talked about moving a left-handed hitter
behind Joe Mauer since the team is facing right-hander Phil Hughes in Game 3. Jason Kubel got the nod in the cleanup spot, although he currently has a .080 career postseason batting average. Kubel has two hits in three
career regular season at-bats against Hughes.

Gardenhire also had mentioned that he might start Alexi Casilla to give more speed in the lineup. But J.J. Hardy is at shortstop and all nine players in the lineup are the same as in Games 1 and 2.

Twins

(0-2)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Delmon Young, LF
Jim Thome, DH
Michael

Cuddyer, 1B
Danny Valencia, 3B
J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: LHP Brian Duensing

(10-3, 2.62 ERA this season)

Yankees (2-0)

Derek Jeter, SS

Nick Swisher, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Alex Rodriguez, 3B
Robinson

Cano, 2B
Marcus Thames, DH
Jorge Posada, C
Curtis Granderson,
CF
Brett
Gardner, LF

Pitching: RHP Phil
Hughes(18-8, 4.19 ERA this season)

A
reminder
you
can follow me on Twitter  @kellythesier