Minnesota Twins Game 16: Lineups and First Impressions

Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins enter play on Friday just a half game behind the Detroit Tigers for FIRST PLACE in the American League Central. If you claim to know that was going to be true 15 games into the season, I will call you a lie-telling mongrel straight to your pretty face.

The Twins are in Kansas City for weekend three game set against the Royals. The season series is all Twins after sweeping the Royals last weekend at Target Field.

Minnesota Twins (8-7) Lineup

Darin Mastroianni LF

Brian Dozier 2B

Joe Mauer 1B

Chris Colabello RF

Trevor Plouffe 3B

Josmil Pinto DH

Kurt Suzuki C

Aaron Hicks CF

Pedro Florimon SS

• Ricky Nolasco P

Kansas City Royals (7-7) Lineup

Norichika Aoki RF

Omar Infante 2B

Eric Hosmer 1B

Salvador Perez C

Alex Gordon LF

Billy Butler DH

Mike Moustakas 3B

Justin Maxwell CF

Alcides Escobar SS

• Jason Vargas P

First Impressions:

• No Kubs!  Jason Kubel is not in the lineup tonight. Mastroianni is taking his place in left field.
• The Royals are 4-2 at home so far in 2014, let’s see how that holds up.
• Danny Valencia got some playing time this week, but not in the lineup tonight against his former team.
• Billy Butler has moved down in the order, the once cleanup man is now down to sixth.

Game Time:

First pitch is at 7:10 from Kauffman Stadium in the City of Fountains, Kansas City, Missouri.

Can be seen on FOX Sports North and heard on the Twins Radio Network.