Minnesota @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( May 27, 2012 ) Detroit 4, Minnesota 3
With the second-worst record in the American League, the Minnesota Twins aren't likely to become contenders, but they still have a chance to influence the wide-open American League Central race. Already having taken three straight from Kansas City over the weekend to slow the surging Royals, the Twins turn their focus to the Detroit Tigers when they begin a four-game series at Comerica Park.
The Tigers are very much in the AL Central race despite their underachieving 39-40 mark. They are three games behind the Chicago White Sox after taking three of four from Tampa Bay.
The Twins, who are beginning a seven-game road trip to Detroit and Texas leading into the all-star break, can match a season-long four-game winning streak with a victory in the opener. Minnesota has hit eight home runs in its past three games, including three from Trevor Plouffe, who leads the team with 18.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Fox Sports Detroit
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Liam Hendriks (0-5, 6.82 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Doug Fister (1-5, 3.91 ERA)
Hendriks is coming off a quality start Tuesday against the White Sox in which he allowed three runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings but lost his fifth straight start. The 23-year-old Australian is still looking for his first win in 11 career starts, and the long ball has been a concern. He has allowed at least one home run in each of his seven major-league outings this season.
Fister was dominant after the Tigers acquired him from Seattle last season, but he was injured in his first start this year and hasn't been the same consistent pitcher since coming off the disabled list May 7. He has turned in a handful of strong outings but has lost two straight starts, including one Wednesday in which he gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 4 1/3 innings and surrendered three home runs. Fister is 1-5 with a 3.43 ERA in six starts against Minnesota.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Detroit's Miguel Cabrera went 8-for-15 in the series against the Rays and has at least 100 hits, 15 homers and 60 RBIs before the all-star break for the second time in three seasons.
2. Joe Mauer, the Twins' lone All-Star Game selection, is 0-for-13 against Fister. Mauer is riding a 10-game hitting streak during which he is 17-for-40 (.425).
3. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is sitting on 899 wins. Gardenhire is 899-800 in 11 seasons as the Twins' skipper.