Angels-Twins opening series at a glance

At Angel Stadium

Monday, 7 p.m.: Jered Weaver (16-8, 3.75 ERA in 2009) vs. Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36)

Tuesday, 7 p.m.: Joe Saunders (16-7, 4.60) vs. Nick Blackburn (11-11, 4.03)

Wednesday, 7 p.m.: Ervin Santana (8-8, 5.03) vs. Carl Pavano (5-4, 4.64)

Thursday, 7 p.m.: Joel Pineiro (15-12, 3.49) vs. Kevin Slowey (10-3, 4.86)

On the air: TV: FS West on Monday and Wednesday; Channel 13 Tuesday and Thursday. Radio: 830, 1330.

2009 series: Angels, 6-4.

Opening-day facts: Former Angels outfielder Tim Salmon will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and the national anthem will be sung by 12-year-old Taylor Longbrake, who made her first appearance with the Angels at age 8. Torii Hunter, Brian Fuentes, Howie Kendrick and General Manager Tony Reagins will take part in a pregame ceremony raising the Angels’ 2009 American League West championship flag.

Of note

The Angels are trying to become the first AL West team to win four straight division titles since the 1971-75 Oakland Athletics, who are the only other team to accomplish the feat. The Twins have won five of the last eight AL Central titles.

Left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir, who will open the season on the disabled list because of a hamstring injury, allowed one earned run and six hits in seven innings of a camp game in Arizona Sunday morning. The left-hander, who is expected to be activated next week, threw 77 pitches.

The middle-of-the-order foursome of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel gives the Twins their best lineup since Ron Gardenhire became manager in 2002, but closer Joe Nathan’s season-ending elbow injury will be difficult to absorb.

The signing of Mauer to an eight-year, $184-million contract extension this spring helped boost the Twins opening-day payroll from $63 million in 2009 to $97 million in 2010. The Angels’ opening-day payroll is about $114 million, the same figure it closed 2009 with.

Bobby Abreu is a.394 hitter (52 for 132) against the Twins, his highest career average against any club.