Minnesota @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) Minnesota 10, Detroit 4
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: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSNO (Minnesota), FSD (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH P.J. Walters (2-4, 6.39 ERA) vs. Tigers LH Drew Smyly (4-3, 4.45)
Walters has not won in three starts since rejoining the team at the beginning of September. The 27-year-old right-hander has gone 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and four home runs allowed in those three turns. Walters made a pair of starts against the Tigers in June, allowing five runs in 12 1/3 total frames. He surrendered three solo home runs to Detroit on May 17.
Smyly has been working out of the bullpen for the last month but has been more effective in the rotation, posting a 4.22 ERA in 16 starts. The 23-year-old made one start against Minnesota earlier in 2012, getting the win while allowing four runs (three earned) in five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cabrera is 2-for-7 with a home run and two RBIs in his career against Walters.
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.