Let’s Play Ball!!

(KROC AM) -- The hope is, this year will be at least a little better.  There was optimism this spring up until Friday when the 80 game suspension of the club's big free agent acquisition, Ervin Santana, was announced.

That was a bombshell.  Santana had just come off a scoreless five inning stint against the Red Sox and figured to be a solid number two starter...

So now we'll rely on the same rotation as last year.  Mike Pelfrey will become the fifth starter and Ricky Nolasco takes the game two start.

Nonetheless, it all gets started today and the Twins are sending last year's ace Phil Hughes to the mound against the Detroit Tigers.

The Twins finished last year with a 70-92 record. Left-hander David Price is scheduled to start for the Tigers.

Paul Molitor has announced his starting lineup. Danny Santana will start at short, Brian Dozier at second, Joe Mauer will play first and Trevor Plouffe at third.  The outfield will have Torii Hunter in right, Jordan Schaefer in center and Oswaldo Arcia in left.  Kurt Suzuki will catch and Kennys Vargas will DH.

Pre-game coverage begins at 11:30 this morning with the first pitch at 12:08 pm.  Cory Provus and Dan Gladden will handle the play-by-play duties again and we'll have all the games for you on 1340 KROC AM.