Baker heads to mound as Twins get set to face Dallas Braden

OAKLAND, CALIF. -- Beautiful day here. Far nicer weather than we had in Seattle. Good to be back at The Coliseum.

Scott Baker is 1-1 with a 2.64 ERA in his past three starts, but none of them have lasted more than six innings. He is 4-0 with a 3.24 ERA for his career against Oakland, so this would be a good time for him to turn in a gem.

The Twins have been held to one run in three consecutive games, and Dallas Braden doesn't figure to make it easy on them.

Updates to come...

Update: J.J. Hardy is in the lineup, but Manager Ron Gardenhire said he wanted to see how he comes through batting practice, with his sore wrist, before deciding if he'll actually play.

Looks like Hardy has made it through a few rounds of BP already without incident.

Gardy guessed that Orlando Hudson will miss this entire series in Oakland. Hudson, who also has a sore left wrist, tried swinging on Thursday, but it didn't go well. Hudson has been taking ground balls during batting practice. Gardenhire said if Hudson weren't really to play by Tuesday, the Twins might have to make a roster move.

Joe Mauer is getting a chance to DH today. Gardenhire said he might look to get Justin Morneau a full day off during this series, as both of those guys are pretty beat up. So, the Twins' depth is being tested, especially with do-everything Michael Cuddyer on the bereavement list.

TWINS (31-23)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. J.J. Hardy, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. Nick Punto, 2B
9. Drew Butera, C

Starting pitcher: RH Scott Baker (5-4, 4.48 ERA)

ATHLETICS (29-26)

1. Rajai Davis, CF
2. Daric Barton, 1B
3. Ryan Sweeney, RF
4. Kurt Suzuki, C
5. Jack Cust, DH
6. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B
7. Gabe Gross, LF
8. Mark Ellis, 2B
9. Adam Rosales, SS

Starting pitcher: LH Dallas Braden (4-5, 3.60 ERA)

Oakland Coliseum. First pitch: 9:10 p.m. TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network