Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Minnesota 0, Detroit 8

Miguel Cabrera might not have needed any help to win the Triple Crown, but the Detroit Tigers' slugger is making the most of an ailing Josh Hamilton as he eyes a clear path to history. The fact that Cabrera's doing it during a pennant race certainly won’t hurt his MVP chances, either. Cabrera hit his 42nd home run on Saturday as Detroit kept pace with the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central race.

The Tigers moved to within one-half game of the White Sox with Saturday’s 8-0 win and can at least pull even no matter what Chicago does Sunday if they can find a way to sweep a doubleheader. Detroit has won seven of its last 10 with a healthy assist from Cabrera, who has hit safely in all 10 games with seven homers and 15 RBIs. The Twins are trying to play spoiler but have dropped six of seven this month to the White Sox and Tigers, respectively. Joe Mauer continues to be a bright spot, going 2-for-4 in the opener to lift his batting average to .323 - nine points shy of Cabrera.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Scott Diamond (11-8, 3.69 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 3.78)

Diamond has fallen off lately as he comes to the end of a breakout season. The 26-year-old left-hander had a 2.95 ERA on Aug. 18 but has gone 1-3 with a 7.36 mark in his last five starts. He surrendered six runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings to suffer a loss to the White Sox last Sunday. Diamond did not factor in the decision against Detroit on July 5 despite yielding just two runs and five hits in seven frames.

Scherzer left his start on Tuesday after two innings due to shoulder fatigue, but an MRI came up negative and he declared himself ready to go for Sunday. The right-hander leads the majors with 224 strikeouts and has emerged as a top-of-the rotation arm this season. Scherzer has not allowed more than two runs in any of his last eight starts, including seven scoreless innings at Minnesota on Aug. 15 when he struck out 10.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cabrera is 4-for-8 with a double and an RBI in his career against Diamond.

2. Minnesota will play eight of its 11 remaining games against playoff contenders, including five more with Detroit.

3. Tigers C Alex Avila (concussion) returned to the lineup on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI.