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The excitement surging through Minneapolis over the Monday opening of Major League Baseball's newest ballpark, Target Field, is not just limited to the Twins and their fans. The Twins are understandably jazzed about the first game in their sparkling open-air stadium, and righty Carl Pavano will get the ball to throw the first official pitch.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says he can't think of a better pitcher to focus amid all the fanfare.
"A veteran that can handle those situations like him is perfect," Gardenhire said. "I wouldn't have been afraid to put any of our starters out there, to tell you the truth.
"But I like to see Pavano. He came over here and wanted to stay. It's a reward for him wanting to be a part of this ballpark."
Meanwhile, the visiting Red Sox consider it an honor to play in the first game at Target, too -- especially with an unseasonably-warm-for-Minnesota forecast in the 60s.
"Well, you know, I'll be glad it's going to be decent weather," Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew said. "Everyone was anticipating snow and flurries when we looked at the schedule."
Red Sox: Drew has stiff neck
Drew sat out Sunday's game with a stiff neck that's been bothering him for a few days, but he said it wasn't serious. "Stiff as a board," Drew said. "I'll be all right, though." Jeremy Hermida started Sunday in his place but the Red Sox expect Drew to be in the lineup for the Target lid-lifter Monday afternoon. ... Boston's Monday starter, Jon Lester, is 0-1 with a 5.66 ERA in four career appearances against the Twins. He has made 47 career starts on the road, going 19-11 with a 4.17 ERA.
Twins: Club set for big day
Gardenhire said the team has an idea of what to expect because of exhibition games at Target Field, but the official opening will be very special. "It's huge," he said. "It's going to be big. I'm excited for our team and our fans. In that first game, there will be a lot of pomp and circumstance and a few ceremonies. Once the game starts, it'll be a lot better for us because during everything leading up to it, the nerves kind of get going. It's going to be a lot of fun." ... Pavano shined in his first start this season, holding the Angels to one run over seven innings. He scattered six hits and struck out six while working his way out of early-inning jams, including a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the second inning. Pavano is 2-3 with a 7.07 ERA in six career starts vs. Boston.
Worth noting:
Utility man Bill Hall made his first start as a member of the Red Sox a useful and versatile one. He played shortstop, right field and left field in Sunday's win over Kansas City. Hall went 0-for-3 and drew a walk. ... Gardenhire didn't have a strong prediction of whether Target Field would benefit hitters from the right or left side more. "From what we saw in exhibition games, the ball was flying pretty good, both ways. It just kind of depends on wind currents in the city, when it whips down into there. Kind of like [in Chicago]." ... Monday will mark the first time Pavano has pitched in the first game of a new stadium, but he did start for the Marlins in the final game at the former Montreal Expos' ballpark, Olympic Stadium, in 2004.
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire says he can't think of a better pitcher to focus amid all the fanfare.
"A veteran that can handle those situations like him is perfect," Gardenhire said. "I wouldn't have been afraid to put any of our starters out there, to tell you the truth.
"But I like to see Pavano. He came over here and wanted to stay. It's a reward for him wanting to be a part of this ballpark."
Meanwhile, the visiting Red Sox consider it an honor to play in the first game at Target, too -- especially with an unseasonably-warm-for-Minnesota forecast in the 60s.
"Well, you know, I'll be glad it's going to be decent weather," Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew said. "Everyone was anticipating snow and flurries when we looked at the schedule."
Red Sox: Drew has stiff neck
Drew sat out Sunday's game with a stiff neck that's been bothering him for a few days, but he said it wasn't serious. "Stiff as a board," Drew said. "I'll be all right, though." Jeremy Hermida started Sunday in his place but the Red Sox expect Drew to be in the lineup for the Target lid-lifter Monday afternoon. ... Boston's Monday starter, Jon Lester, is 0-1 with a 5.66 ERA in four career appearances against the Twins. He has made 47 career starts on the road, going 19-11 with a 4.17 ERA.
Twins: Club set for big day
Gardenhire said the team has an idea of what to expect because of exhibition games at Target Field, but the official opening will be very special. "It's huge," he said. "It's going to be big. I'm excited for our team and our fans. In that first game, there will be a lot of pomp and circumstance and a few ceremonies. Once the game starts, it'll be a lot better for us because during everything leading up to it, the nerves kind of get going. It's going to be a lot of fun." ... Pavano shined in his first start this season, holding the Angels to one run over seven innings. He scattered six hits and struck out six while working his way out of early-inning jams, including a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the second inning. Pavano is 2-3 with a 7.07 ERA in six career starts vs. Boston.
Worth noting:
Utility man Bill Hall made his first start as a member of the Red Sox a useful and versatile one. He played shortstop, right field and left field in Sunday's win over Kansas City. Hall went 0-for-3 and drew a walk. ... Gardenhire didn't have a strong prediction of whether Target Field would benefit hitters from the right or left side more. "From what we saw in exhibition games, the ball was flying pretty good, both ways. It just kind of depends on wind currents in the city, when it whips down into there. Kind of like [in Chicago]." ... Monday will mark the first time Pavano has pitched in the first game of a new stadium, but he did start for the Marlins in the final game at the former Montreal Expos' ballpark, Olympic Stadium, in 2004.
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