By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Before the Bronx Bombers opened their American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins Wednesday night, Yankees skipper Joe Girardi unveiled his batting lineup for game one.
Despite facing Twins lefty ace Francisco Liriano, who's dominated left-handed hitting all season, Girardi opted to go with the left-handed hitting outfielder Brett Gardner over a slumping Austin Kearns.
In nine at-bats against Liriano, Gardner is batting .333 with three RBI and a triple.
The game will start at 8:30 p.m. ET at spacious Target Field, another reason for Gardner getting the nod, who's speed in left field should play well behind starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia.
Sabathia, who went 21-7 during the regular season, will also pitch game four, should there be one, on only three days rest, as the starter in a three-man rotation including Sabathia, Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes.
Hughes will replace A.J. Burnett, who shared the rotation with Sabathia and Pettitte during last year's victorious post season.
"A.J. will pitch out of the bullpen," Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said in a Tuesday press conference, posted on MLB.com. "But if he needs to start a game, he will start a game."
Burnett had a disappointing regular season, finishing 10-15.
If the defending champion Yankees are able to win the championship this year it will be the first MLB World Series repeat since the New York team won their third straight title in 2000.
