Realtime Sports

Two teams leading their divisions meet as the Minnesota Twins host the Texas Rangers at 8 PM ET in the first game of a three-game series.

The Minnesota Twins (27-20, 15-9 home) hold on the AL Central has dwindled to just 1.5 games after suffering two separate three-game losing streaks in the last two weeks.

They are coming off of an 8-2 win over the New York Yankees last night that ended their most recent losing streak.

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau power Minnesota’s offense. Morneau sports an AL-leading .493 OBP while Mauer has a still impressive .406 OBP.

The Texas Rangers (26-21, 8-12 away) have struggled at the Metrodome winning just 16 of their last 46 visits there, so they no doubt hope that the new stadium in Minnesota will be more hospitable for them.

The road hasn’t been a friendly place for the Rangers this season as they sit four games under .500 on the road after dropping six of their last eight road games.

Michael Young is coming off of a 2-for-4 performance that extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He has 37 hits in May which ties him with Denard Span of the Twins for most hits in May. Vladimir Guerrero has been contributing a lot of offense with ten home runs in May while batting .344.

Kevin Slowey (5-3, 4.53 ERA) gets the start tonight for the Twins. He has just one career start against the Rangers where he went six innings while giving up just one run and four hits in a no decision.

Getting the call for the Rangers is right-hander Colby Lewis (4-2, 3.45 ERA). Lewis has just a single start against the Twins in his resume and that was a no decision that came way back in September of 2003.