Minnesota @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2019 ) Minnesota 4, NY Yankees 10

The New York Yankees look to post their 12th straight postseason win over the Minnesota Twins when they host the American League Central champions in Game 2 of the AL Division Series on Saturday. New York rolled to a 10-4 victory in the series opener to match the major-league record for most consecutive playoff wins over a single opponent set by the Boston Red Sox, who dominated the Angels from 1986-2008 .

DJ LeMahieu went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs, Brett Gardner also went deep and Gleyber Torres hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the fifth inning as New York drew eight walks to go along with eight hits in Game 1. "I feel like we did a really of job of getting on base and working good counts, and getting those counts in our favor," LeMahieu said in a postgame television interview. The Twins on Friday set a dubious record by suffering their 14th consecutive playoff loss, with their last win coming against the Yankees in the opening game of the 2004 ALDS. Yankees scheduled Saturday starter Masahiro Tanaka is 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA in five career starts against Minnesota and has stymied slugger Nelson Cruz (3-for-27, nine strikeouts).

TV: 5:07 p.m. ET, FS1

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Randy Dobnak (2-1, 1.59 ERA) vs. Yankees RH Masahiro Tanaka (11-9, 4.45)

The 24-year-old Dobnak has just 28 1/3 major-league innings under his belt, so it certainly came as a surprise when the rookie was announced as the starter after Game 1. "In this ballpark, the guy that throws the ball and keeps it on the ground pretty well was a good guy to look to," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said in his postgame press conference. "Dob has been throwing the ball great for us, so I thought it makes sense." Dobnak got married last Saturday as neither he nor his bride envisioned he still would be in the midst of a baseball season, particularly with him beginning the campaign at Single-A Fort Myers.

It is no surprise the rotation was set up for Tanaka to pitch at home after he went 8-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts at Yankee Stadium compared to 3-6 with a 6.05 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts) on the road. "Honestly, I haven't really thought about that, about being better at home and not so much away," Tanaka told reporters through an interpreter. "I just go out there and try to give out the best performance that I have on that given day, but that said, I think you sort of feed off from the energy of our home crowd, and that may be something that kind of gives you a little boost on your performance." The 30-year-old Tanaka owns a 1.01 career WHIP in 35 2/3 innings against Minnesota.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cruz, SS Jorge Polanco and 3B Miguel Sano hit solo homers for the Twins in the series opener.

2. New York DH Edwin Encarnacion (oblique) went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI on Friday in his first action since Sept. 12.

3. Minnesota 2B Jonathan Schoop wasn't in the Game 1 starting lineup, but that likely will change Saturday as he is 9-for-31 with three homers and three doubles against Tanaka.

PREDICTION: Yankees 7, Twins 4