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First-place Twins set to face Blue Jays

May 13, 2008 - 1:15 PM Toronto (18-22) at Minnesota (20-17) 8:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Coming off a series win against the defending World Series champions, the first-place Minnesota Twins host the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series.

The Twins won three of four against the Boston Red Sox after sweeping both Chicago and Detroit in its previous home series, improving to 14-7 at the Metrodome.

Minnesota has used its home success and some weak competition to ascend to the top of the American League Central.

While Minnesota totaled 23 runs in its three wins over the Red Sox, the Blue Jays have had trouble managing any offense at all.

Toronto has made a habit out of wasting strong pitching performances of late, totaling seven runs while dropping four of its last five.

The Blue Jays split a doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on Monday, dropping the opener 3-0 and winning the nightcap by the same count when they posted three runs in the 10th inning of a scoreless tie.

They will take their swings against Twins starter Kevin Slowey (0-2, 6.48 ERA) on Tuesday. The 24-year-old righthander came off the disabled list on May 8 and started against the Chicago White Sox, pitching four scoreless innings before falling apart in the fifth and suffering a loss.

Toronto will counter with righthander Jesse Litsch (4-1, 4.24). The 23-year-old did not factor in the decision in his last start, allowing three runs in seven innings against Tampa Bay before being let down by the bullpen in an 8-3 loss.