Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 1, 2011 ) Minnesota 2, Detroit 4

THE STORY: The Minnesota Twins were pointing to this week as the time to make their move. After holding serve in a four-game series against the Cleveland Indians, the Twins cannot be happy with a series split against the Detroit Tigers. The Twins, who are five games behind the Indians and the Tigers in the American League Central, have a chance to do some damage. Detroit squandered an opportunity to jump up into sole possession of first place Wednesday, and will be looking to put some distance between itself and the rest of the pack when it sends Justin Verlander to the mound for the opener of a four-game set at Minnesota on Thursday.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Carl Pavano (6-6, 4.08 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Justin Verlander (12-5, 2.29).

Pavano has posted a quality start in seven of his last eight outings and continues to work deep into games, going at least seven innings in 11 of his last 12 turns. The veteran righthander has performed well against Detroit in the past, going 5-2 with a 3.79 ERA in nine starts. Pavano has limited Miguel Cabrera to a .259 average (7-for-27) with one home run. Verlander had his worst start in months last time out, allowing five runs - four earned - in six innings to suffer a loss against the Chicago White Sox. The poor performance broke up a string of seven straight starts surrendering one or no earned runs. Verlander has had mixed success against Minnesota, posting a 7-7 record with a 3.71 ERA in 18 starts.

ABOUT THE TWINS (46-51): Minnesota looked lost in dropping both ends of a doubleheader to the Indians on Monday, but rebounded to take the final two games of the series. Joe Mauer had a fantastic series, going 9-for-15 to raise his average to .297, but it was Danny Valencia who provided the key hits in the victories. Valencia singled in two runs in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday for a 2-1 victory and snapped an eighth-inning tie with an RBI single in Wednesday’s 7-5 triumph. Minnesota plans on getting Scott Baker and Jason Kubel back at some point during the Detroit series, and Kevin Slowey and Denard Span aren‘t far behind..

ABOUT THE TIGERS (51-46): Detroit struck first in the AL Central trade deadline race when it picked up third baseman Wilson Betemit from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for a pair of Class A prospects. Betemit should upgrade the club offensively at the hot corner, where Brandon Inge has struggled mightily. Don Kelly got the start at third base Wednesday and drove in a run, but it was not enough as the Tigers were let down by their bullpen in a 7-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics. The setback prevented Detroit from jumping into sole possession of first place. Carlos Guillen continues to thrive at the plate, going 2-for-4 on Wednesday to improve to 6-for-14 (.429) in four games since making his season debut.

FINAL PITCH: Mauer was given the option by manager Ron Gardenhire on Wednesday of whether to play first base or catcher. The former MVP, in a bit of a surprise, chose first base. While the sweltering midday heat in Minnesota likely factored into the decision, Mauer is beginning to get more comfortable in his role as part-time first baseman, starting at the position in three of the four games against Cleveland.