Twins-Toronto series preview

RHP Carl Pavano (17-11, 3.75 ERA in 2010) vs. LHP Ricky Romero (14-9, 3.73)

LHP Francisco Liriano (14-10, 3.62) vs. RHP Kyle Drabek (0-3, 4.76)

RHP Nick Blackburn (10-12, 5.42) vs. LHP Brett Cecil (15-7, 4.22)

The Twins are playing their first season opener in Toronto since 2006, when Roy Halladay defeated Johan Santana in a 6-3 Blue Jays victory. Since 2005, the Twins are 5-13 at Rogers Centre. In two starts in Toronto last year, Pavano gave up 12 earned runs and five homers. He held the Blue Jays to one earned run over seven innings on Oct. 1 at Target Field. Drew Butera caught most of Pavano's starts last year, but Joe Mauer will get the nod on Opening Day. Mauer, who is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, might not catch Saturday's day game. He sat Wednesday's day game in Atlanta after catching the night before. "Actually, he feels really, really good," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was ready to catch [Wednesday] if we wanted him to."

New manager John Farrell takes over a team that went 85-77 last year under Cito Gaston. The Blue Jays led the majors with 257 homers but stole just 58 bases. That balance probably will change, even with Jose Bautista coming off his 54-homer season. Toronto traded Vernon Wells to the Angels, shedding his huge contract, and lost John Buck and Lyle Overbay to free agency. It traded for CF Rajai Davis, who stole 50 bases last year. Toronto likes its starting pitching, but Brandon Morrow opens the season on the DL because of a strained forearm. With relievers Frank Francisco and Octavio Dotel injured, the closer will be Jon Rauch, the former Twin. LF Travis Snider (hip) is a game-time decision.

JOE CHRISTENSEN