Gardenhire hoping to avoid makeup game with Dodgers

MINNEAPOLIS -- With rain and cold weather in the forecast all week, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire reiterated how important it was to try to complete Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, especially considering the Dodgers don't come back to Target Field this season.

The Twins saw back-to-back games at Target Field postponed due to weather, including Sunday's game against the Tigers and Tuesday's game against the Dodgers. The Twins and Dodgers are set to play in a split-doubleheader Thursday, but rain is also in the forecast then.

If the Twins and Dodgers need to make up a game, it'll likely be May 19, a mutual off-day for both clubs. The Twins are home at May 18 before heading to San Diego for a two-game series that begins May 20, while the Dodgers finish a series in Arizona on May 18 before heading to New York for a three-game set that starts May 20.

But Gardenhire said that would be the worst-case scenario, as both the Dodgers and Twins want to complete their three-game series by Thursday.

"It's terrible to fly in for a game for one game," Gardenhire said. "You just play the game and go back on the plane, and you don't even get stay in a hotel. It's a whirlwind. It's not much fun."

But the clubs were able to start Wednesday's game on time despite cold temperatures, and Gardenhire said he remains hopeful they'll be able to play both games Thursday.