The Twins will start a rookie pitcher in Game 2 of the American League Division Series following their 10-4 loss to the Yankees on Friday.
Right-hander Randy Dobnak will start Saturday, the team announced after Game 1 in New York.
Dobnak, 24, is set to make his postseason debut against the team that hit the second-most home runs (306) in 2019, but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is confident Dobnak can perform well on the big stage.
"It's a fine line. It was not an obvious move in any way," Baldelli told reporters Friday when addressing his decision to start Dobnak. "I think in this ballpark, the guy that throws the ball, keeps it on the ground pretty well, was a good guy to look to. (Dobnak) has been throwing the ball great for us, so I thought it made sense."
Dobnak has pitched in nine games for Minnesota this season and is 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA. He said he's grateful for the opportunity to play high stakes baseball.
"I don't know if it's sunk in or if it ever will," Dobnak said. "I'm really excited for all the opportunities that have come my way this year. Two years ago, getting the chance to play indie ball, just getting a chance to play indie ball, that's something that a lot of people don't get a chance to do. And I think everything that's happened to me is something I never would have thought of.
"I'm going to be the same person I'm always going to be. That's a very strange person," Dobnak said. "But yeah, I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing."
The game is scheduled for 5:07 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.