Marlins at Twins
The Minnesota Twins should be a well-rested team after playing only four games in the last eight days, which included three postponements. The surprising Twins won all four of those and look to extend their streak when they host the struggling Miami Marlins on Monday to start a two-game interleague series. Minnesota is coming off two straight wins at the Chicago White Sox, edging over the .500 mark at 8-7. Joe Mauer leads the Twins with his .375 batting average and Josh Willingham has six RBIs in his last four games.
The Marlins are off to the worst 19-game start in club history (4-15), after dropping three of four in Cincinnati. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton notched his first RBI of the season Sunday, but struck out eight times and went 4-for-18 in the series. Stanton, who belted 71 homers the last two seasons, is still looking for his first in 2013.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, Fox Sports North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (0-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Twins RH Kevin Correia (1-1, 2.95)
Nolasco has given the Marlins a chance to win in all of his first four starts, but he has not gone more than six innings in any of them. The right-hander allowed seven hits and four runs in six innings against Washington in a 6-1 loss on Wednesday. Nolasco has never faced Minnesota. Willingham has batted against Nolasco and boasts four hits in 10 at-bats with four RBIs.
Correia has had three quality starts to begin his Twins career. The right-hander has gone at least seven innings in all three outings, capped by his first victory against the Los Angeles Angels last Monday. Correia allowed eight hits and two runs against the Angels, striking out a season-high five. Correia has struggled against Miami in his career, going 3-4 with a 7.06 ERA over 51 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami is 140-130 all time in interleague play, the best record among all National League teams.
2. Minnesota’s relief pitchers are 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA, fifth best in the league, and opponents are batting .206 against them.
3. Marlins C/1B Miguel Olivo is 6-for-10 with a homer and five RBIs against Correia.