FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins aren't the only team using their their projected lineup today. The Red Sox have brought their stars across town, too, so today's game will have a regular season feel to it, minus the this-game-counts intensity. Reigning MVP Rookie Betts is here, along with J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts and World Series hero Nathan Eovaldi.
That's the effect of having only eight games remaining between now and Opening Day. As Rocco Baldelli said on Sunday, it's time for the regulars to get most of the at-bats.
There's still plenty of work to be done before then, though. Before the game, the Twins announced that they have trimmed their camp roster to 41 by sending infielder Randy Cesar and catchers Brian Navaretto and Tomas Telis to minor-league camp. That means they still need to cut 15 more players in the next week (figuring Miguel Sano will open the season on the injured list).
Follow the Twins-Red Sox game here
One deadline approaching: The Twins have until noon Saturday to make a decision about veteran invitees Lucas Duda and Tim Collins. If Minnesota cannot guarantee them a spot on the 25-man roster, they must either be released or paid a $100,000 retention bonus. Given the numbers, it's not likely either one will win a roster spot, so it will be interesting to see if the Twins choose to keep those two veterans around in Triple-A. If so, they would have a June 15 opt-out.
In addition to seeing the regulars, Royce Lewis will appear in a Twins uniform for the first time — he's playing the last three or four innings at shortstop.
The Twins have beaten Boston three times in five meetings this spring, with two remaining. A win today would clinch the Fort Myers spring "championship." Here are the lineups for today's game:
RED SOX
Benintendi LF
Betts RF
Devers 3B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Moreland 1B
Hold 2B
Bradley CF
Vazquez C
Eovaldi RHP
TWINS
Kepler RF
Polanco SS
Cruz DH
Rosario LF
Gonzalez 3B
Cron 1B
Schoop 2B
Castro C
Buxton CF
Berrios RHP, then Rogers, Parker, Reed, Hildenberger
