Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2012 ) Minnesota 1, Detroit 5

After three hours and 56 minutes of combined rain delays the past two nights, the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers are hoping their getaway game starts on time Thursday afternoon. Both teams would probably like to grab a win as well. The Tigers kept their hopes of a split in the four-game set alive with a 5-1 victory on Wednesday night behind Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera. The Twins have yet to get a quality start in the series.

Minnesota’s bullpen tossed 10 scoreless innings in the first two games of the series, covering up for the failures of the starters and leading the team to a pair of wins. But the relief corps could not turn the trick again for a third straight game, as Brian Duensing went just 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday and the bullpen was tagged for three runs. The Detroit ‘pen should be well-rested after Verlander’s complete-game effort on Wednesday. The ace right-hander put himself in line for an All-Star Game start.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSD (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (7-3, 2.63 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (6-5, 4.35)

Diamond has won his last two starts while going eight innings in each. The 25-year old allowed two runs and six hits against Kansas City last weekend and has surrendered three earned runs or less in nine of his 11 starts this season. Diamond made two starts against the Tigers during a callup in 2011, going 0-2 despite a 3.65 ERA.

Porcello is coming off back-to-back wins as well and went seven scoreless innings at Tampa Bay last Saturday. The 23-year old right-hander did not walk a batter against the Rays while yielding four hits. Porcello allowed three runs and nine hits in six innings at Minnesota on May 27 but did not factor in the decision. He is 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 14 career starts against the division rivals.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins optioned RHP Nick Blackburn to Triple-A Rochester and purchased the contract of RHP Casey Fien, who is expected to join the team Thursday.

2. Cabrera has recorded at least three hits in four of the last seven games for Detroit.

3. Tigers CF Austin Jackson has hit safely in 11 straight games.