Rays Video

Price's 11 strikeouts

Jaso's RBI single

Twins Video

Cuddyer's RBI double

Young nails Joyce at home

With no single pitcher establishing himself as the standout Cy Young Award leader, Tampa Bay's David Price is as deserving of a candidate as any. The 24-year-old lefty is leading the AL in wins (11) and ERA (2.44), and ranks among the top 20 in strikeouts, innings pitched and WHIP.

Minnesota's Scott Baker (6-7, 4.97) will take the mound against Price.

In his last start against the D-backs, Price earned the win in a 5-3 victory, allowing one earned run in eight innings and matching his career high with 11 strikeouts.

Price said a key part of his success has been confidence -- something that isn't easy to do in the Major Leagues.

"It's tough to learn to trust your stuff at the big league level," Price said. "These are big league hitters and when you make a mistake they hit it pretty hard."

Price will face a couple of hitters who often make the best pitchers look silly in Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. While Mauer, a three-time AL batting champion, is struggling by his standards -- hitting .300 -- it's Morneau who's near the top of the league with a .348 average and has a great chance with this early showing to earn his second career MVP.

Morenau, who went 1-for-4 on Thursday, entered the game tied for second in the Majors in batting average, ranked first in on-base percentage (.446), second in slugging percentage (.620) and was in top 20 in home runs and RBIs.

Rays: Price's head clear on mound
Price said a lot of his success has to do with his fastball command and getting ahead in counts, as well as relaxing and not putting too much thought into every pitch. "I haven't been doing a whole lot of thinking out there," Price said. "I've just been going out there throwing and not thinking and trying to give us the best chance to win." ... B.J. Upton missed his third consecutive game Thursday with a right quad strain. His status is day-to-day.

Twins: Gardenhire has steady 'pen at disposal
Although Minnesota's bullpen blew the lead and eventually the game Thursday, the Twins' relief corps has been steady of late. The key for future success will be not to overwork them, manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Our bullpen's fine," Gardenhire said prior to the game. "The good thing now is we're able to use everyone, and when they're throwing good, then we don't have to burn one guy out; we can mix and match." ... Shortstop J.J. Hardy went 1-for-4 with a walk at Class A Beloit in his second rehab start Thursday. Hardy has been on the disabled list retroactive to June 11 with a left wrist contusion.

Worth noting
Mauer's .398 career batting average (41-for-103) against the Rays is his highest against an AL team. ... John Jaso's RBI single in the fourth inning Thursday broke a scoreless-innings streak spanning 16 frames for Minnesota starter Carl Pavano. ... Thursday also marked Pavano's first no-decision of the season.