Joe Saunders LHP, 3-7, 4.50

Luke Hochevar RHP, 4-7, 4.87

Wily Mo Peña joins the Diamondbacks as they head off into the American League and the dubious land of the designated hitter. No surprise to find him occupying the extra spot in the line-up this evening, as the D-backs get another stab at taking first place from the Giants. They welcome the Twins to town, who are the AL's hottest team, having won seven in a row, though they are still only one game ahead of our opponents, the Royals. Trivia question: Arizona used six different DH's in last year's nine interleague games in AL parks. Can you name them? Answers at the end.

1. Ryan Roberts 3B
2. Kelly Johnson 2B
3. Justin Upton RF
4. Stephen Drew  SS
5. Chris Young CF
6. Miguel Montero C
7. Wily Mo Pena DH
8. Juan Miranda 1B
9. Gerardo Parra  LF
   + Joe Saunders LHP

We're 8-7 lifetime against Kansas City; we last faced them in 2009, when we took two of three there, with the offense carrying the load, scoring a dozen runs in each victory. Willie Bloomquist started for the Royals in those days. I'm hoping Saunders can produce one of his better starts, and we can get ourselves a good start in the AL circuit. Minor note: depending on when the games finish, the minor-league report may be late. I've to be into work at 7am tomorrow - oh, the humanity - so I may be off to bed before the last contest finishes.

[Trivia answer] The Diamondbacks' designated hitters in 2010 were: Miguel Montero, Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche (two games each), Justin Upton, Rusty Ryal and Tony Abreu (one game each).