New York @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 22, 2013 ) NY Yankees 9, Minnesota 7

The Minnesota Twins have lost six of their last nine games and have gotten some inconsistent performances from the pitching staff. The New York Yankees, who visit the Twins for the start of a four-game series on Monday, have put out an offense lately that can make any pitching staff look sharp. The Yankees have lost five straight games and have been held to three or fewer runs in each of the last four.

Minnesota suffered a 9-8 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday and has allowed an average of 6.7 runs in its last six setbacks. The Twins have been one of several team with losing records enduring trade rumors, and New York is one of the teams that could be in the market for a bat like Justin Morneau or Josh Willingham. Robinson Cano, who snapped an 11-game streak without an extra-base hit on Sunday, has not had much protection in the Yankees lineup.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, YES (New York), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees LH Andy Pettitte (5-6, 4.22 ERA) vs. Twins LH Scott Diamond (5-7, 5.40)

Pettitte has suffered three straight losses and slumped to 1-3 with a 4.83 ERA in five June starts. The veteran left-hander surrendered four runs - three earned - on six hits in six innings to suffer a loss against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Pettitte worked six scoreless innings in his lone start against Minnesota last season and is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career starts at Target Field.

Diamond has failed to complete six innings in eight of his last nine starts and is 1-3 with a 7.40 ERA in his last four efforts. The 26-year-old lefty has surrendered three of his 10 home runs in the last two outings. Diamond has made one start in his career against New York and was knocked around for five runs on 10 hits in four innings to absorb the loss on Sept. 19, 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. Morneau moved past Kirby Puckett and into fifth place on the Twins’ all-time home run list with his 208th career blast on Sunday.

2. New York has gone 7-3 in Minnesota since the opening of Target Field in 2010.

3. Minnesota C Joe Mauer is in an 0-for-15 slump over the last four games.

PREDICTION: Yankees 6, Twins 3