Minnesota Twins vs. Tampa Bay Rays

It hasn't been a particularly good start for the Twins' 2009 season. After a largely quiet and disappointing offseason, the Twins began their final year at the Metrodome with a split home stand against the dismal Seattle Mariners, then hit the road for a thorough spanking administered by Central Division rival the Chicago White Sox. Meanwhile, although it's still early in the season, Minnesota's one "major" free agent acquisition, third baseman Joe Crede, has a batting average well below his weight. Things probably won't get much easier when defending American League champions the Tampa Bay Rays head to the Dome on Monday. Punching up the drama and, frankly, the jealousy factor for Twins fans is that former Minnesota hurler Matt Garza is scheduled to pitch during the three-game series. Fans will remember Garza as the former Twin who won MVP honors in last year's American League Championship Series after dominating the Boston Red Sox in two starts, and then found himself pitching in the World Series after being traded to Tampa before the 2008 season.
April 27-29, 7:10 p.m., 2009