Minnesota @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2010 ) Minnesota 4, Detroit 7
Talk about a bad month.
Life looked good for the Minnesota Twins on June 10. They were on top of the American League Central and led Detroit by 4 1/2 games.
The fortunes for both teams have changed quickly. Entering the final game before the All-Star break, the Twins have fallen into third place and are four games behind the Tigers. Minnesota has lost four straight, seven of nine and 13 of 18.
It hasn't helped that the Tigers, who will go for a sweep of the three-game series today, are one of the hottest teams in baseball. Detroit has won five straight and is 18-8 since June 10.
The Tigers have jumped on the Twins quickly in winning the first two games of the series. Detroit scored seven times in the first two innings in winning 7-3 on Friday night and hit four home runs in Saturday's 7-4 victory.
The grim news doesn't end there for the Twins. First baseman Justin Morneau, who has missed the last three games, is still sidelined with a concussion. He has pulled himself out of the All-Star Game and it's not known when he will return.
Morneau was trying to break up a double play Wednesday against Toronto when he was struck in the head by John McDonald's knee.
The one bright spot comes today because the Twins send Carl Pavano, their best starter, to the mound. The right-hander has given the team victories, innings and has taken heat off the bullpen.
Pavano hasn't lost since June 6 and has won his last four decisions. He has pitched at least seven innings in his last nine starts. In fact, one has to go all the way back to May 18 to find a start in which Pavano didn't give the Twins a chance to win. He lasted four innings, allowing six runs and 10 hits in losing to Toronto.
In his only start against the Tigers this season, Pavano pitched well but got stuck with a loss on April 29. He held Detroit to three runs in eight innings for a complete game, but the Twins couldn't score in a 3-0 loss.
Pavano has had no-decisions in his last two starts. He gave up six runs, including three homers, in 6 1/3 innings against Toronto on Tuesday. He has had success against Miguel Cabrera, who is riding a career-high 18-game hitting streak. Cabrera is 5-for-21 - all singles - in his career versus Pavano.
Tigers rookie left-hander Andrew Oliver has lost two of his three starts since being called up from Triple-A Toledo. His most recent start against Baltimore on Monday was his worst. He gave up six runs and four hits in 1 2/3 innings.
Oliver was the losing pitcher on June 30 at Target Field, but was the victim of some shaky defense, including his own throwing error. He allowed five runs (two earned) and eight hits in six innings. Left fielder Johnny Damon also committed an error.