Watch Baseball Minnesota Twins Vs La Angels Online

The Minnesota Twins spent their offseasonhighly touted prospects in baseball, is the
making sure their homegrown star would stickeveryday third baseman following Figgins'
around for a very long time. The Los Angelesdeparture.
Angels were more focused on bringing in some"Every year, we lose one or two guys, but this
outside help.organization has done a great job of getting guys
Armed with some new talent in their quest for ain return that can do a very good job," said
fourth straight AL West title, the Angels open thereliever Scot Shields, entering his 10th season with
season against Joe Mauer and the Twins onthe franchise. "It's just the way this organization
Monday night in Anaheim.has been, bringing in quality guys that can play
Minnesota signed the 26-year-old Mauer to a $184ball."
million, eight-year extension in March that keepsTorii Hunter, who signed with Los Angeles two
him under contract through 2018. While the Twinsyears ago after spending his first 10 seasons with
also added Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome overMinnesota, is excited about the new-look Angels.
the winter, extending Mauer was the top"I definitely feel we have some pieces to get the
offseason priority for a club that's opening a newjob done," he said.
stadium with hopes of advancing in theThe Angels had enough pieces to win six of their
postseason for the first time since 2002.last seven meetings with the Twins last season,
Click Here to Watch the Minnesota Twins vs LAincluding the final three by a combined 35-15.
Angels OnlineHunter, though, has struggled against his former
Mauer hit .365 with a career-best 28 home runsclub, batting just .190 with 11 strikeouts in 11
and 96 RBIs in 2009 despite starting the seasongames.
on the disabled list to recover from a back injury.Los Angeles hopes to continue its recent success
He went on to win his second Gold Glove atagainst Minnesota by turning to Jered Weaver.
catcher, his third AL batting title and his first MVPThe right-hander won 12 of his first 15 decisions
Award.last season and finished 16-8 with a 3.75 ERA. He
"I love putting on a Minnesota Twins uniform," thewas 9-3 with a 2.90 ERA at Angel Stadium.
St. Paul, Minn., native said after signing the deal.Weaver lost his only previous opening day start in
"It's a real thrill to be able to do this for the rest2008 at Minnesota. He's 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA in six
of my career. I have to tell everybody here I'llcareer starts against the Twins, and Mauer is 6
give you everything I've got. My ultimate goal isfor 15 with two doubles against him.
to win a World Series. I'm looking forward toMinnesota will counter with right-hander Scott
doing that."Baker, who went 15-9 with a 4.37 ERA last
While Minnesota devoted its resources to keepingseason, topping his previous career high in wins by
Mauer, Los Angeles lost some key players fromfour.
the team that went 97-65 and took the eventualClick Here to Watch the Minnesota Twins vs LA
champion New York Yankees to six games in theAngels Online
ALCS in 2009. Slugger Vladimir Guerrero,Baker is 0-4 with a 5.59 ERA in seven lifetime
right-hander John Lackey and leadoff hitter Chonestarts against the Angels, but he's 0-0 with a 2.08
Figgins are among the departed Angels.ERA against them in two starts over the last two
Turnover is not new to reigning AL Manager ofseasons.
the Year Mike Scioscia, however, and the AngelsThe pressure could be on Baker and the rest of
have again reloaded for an attempt at their sixththe Minnesota rotation with Joe Nathan out for
division title in seven years. They signed 15-gamethe season. The All-Star closer, who saved a
winner Joel Pineiro to bolster the rotation andcareer-high 47 games while helping Minnesota to
World Series MVP Hideki Matsui to fill the void leftthe AL Central title in 2009, will miss the entire
by Guerrero. Brandon Wood, one of the mostseason while recovering from right elbow surgery.