MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Liriano will start for the Pirates when the Minnesota Twins visit Pittsburgh in the interleague series opener.

The lefty makes his first start as a Pirate against his former team tonight.

Liriano’s slider electrified the Twins during his rookie year in 2006 before elbow surgery sidelined him for 18 months. Now, he’s become a reliable veteran in the Pirates’ rotation since joining the team in 2013. Liriano has a 24-21 record in Pittsburgh with a 3.17 ERA. He signed a three-year, $39 million contract with Pittsburgh last winter.