The Minnesota Twins are coming off back to back wins over Cleveland, and they begin a new series in the Bronx on Monday night. The Yankees are clinging to a half game lead in the AL East after taking 2-of-3 in Toronto. The Bronx Bombers might need all the offense they can muster tonight with a struggling reliever making a spot start in Game 1 versus the Twins.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Yankees will send 24 year old Bryan Mitchell to the mound, replacing scheduled starter C.C. Sabathia. This will me the kid's second start of the year, and his first was no picnic, giving up four runs on seven hits over just four innings in an 8-2 loss to the White Sox. The Twins counter with Kyle Gibson, who is 0-3 with a 7.39 ERA since the All Star break.

2. Trevor Plouffe - The Twins third baseman was 2-for-4 with a home run last night, and he's hitting .308 with a home run and a pair of RBI's in four games versus the Yankees this season.

3. X-Factor - The bullpen has been a strength for the Yankees this season, but cracks have started to appear lately. Southpaw Andrew Miller has surrendered three runs on six hits in his last three appearances.

Selection: This is a play on Twins@Yankees to go OVER the total (10*)