The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins Spring Training series has a very big significance to it: The Mayor's Cup. The two share the same home city in Ft. Myers as they will play the fifth and final game against each other at City of Palms Park.
The Red Sox have lost eight straight games and they look to snap the streak and claim the Mayor's Cup for the second straight year.
The Red Sox will be bringing a very different lineup to the table, with a few regulars and backups mixed in:
1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Mike Cameron, RF
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
8. Jed Lowrie, SS
9. Darnell McDonald, CF
On the mound for the Red Sox will be Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is coming off his best outing of the Spring. Relieving Matsuzaka will be Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks. Dice-K will likely be asked to go about 6-7 innings.
The Twins have won three straight games, and will be bringing a very good lineup to the table to claim the Mayor's Cup:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Jason Kubel, RF
7. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
8. Danny Valencia, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, SS
On the mound for the Twins will be young left-hander Brian Duensing.
The game is slated to start at 7:05 P.M. and will be broadcasted live on NESN and can be listened to on WEEI 850 AM in Boston.
Go Sox!