Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2011 ) Detroit 8, Minnesota 2

THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers used the Minnesota Twins to get into first place in the American League Central. Now they are using them to expand their lead. The Tigers were able to stay tied for first Tuesday and Wednesday when Twins beat the Cleveland Indians, and then began extending the gap at Target Field on Thursday and Friday. Minnesota had a chance to do some damage this week with four games each against Cleveland and Detroit, but another loss this weekend may have them seriously considering packing it in at the trade deadline.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Brad Penny (7-6, 4.47 ERA) vs. Twins RH Scott Baker (7-5, 3.01 ERA).

Baker was scheduled to start last Monday but felt some soreness in his right elbow, prompting Minnesota to place him on the disabled list retroactive to July 7. After Baker reported no problems following a bullpen session Wednesday, the Twins penciled him in for Saturday’s contest. The righthander was on fire before the setback, allowing one or no runs in four of his previous five starts. Baker lost at Detroit on June 1 and owns a 6-5 career record with a 4.90 ERA in 22 starts against the division rivals. Penny has won two straight starts and has gone at least six innings in each of his last five turns. The burly righthander is not missing many bats, however, piling up just 49 strikeouts in 116 2/3 total innings in 2011. Penny was roughed up for five runs on 10 hits in six innings against Minnesota on May 30 but did not factor in the decision.

ABOUT THE TWINS (46-53): After starting Monday five games behind the Indians, the Twins dropped the first two games of a doubleheader and had to scramble Tuesday and Wednesday to get the defecit back to five. Following the first two games against the Tigers, Minnesota faces the same situation. The Twins could not solve Justin Verlander or Max Scherzer, dropping both games by a combined 14-4. Joe Mauer, who had lifted his average over .300 for the first time this season with a 2-for-4 performance Thursday, had his seven-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-4 Friday. Minnesota is slowly getting its injured players back, with Jason Kubel joining the lineup Friday and Baker set to go Saturday. Now they just hope it's not too late when Denard Span, Kevin Slowey and Justin Morneau eventually make their returns.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (53-46): Detroit has been all over the trade rumors, searching high and low for a No. 2 starter they can slot behind Verlander in a playoff series. They may have found one internally in Scherzer, who went seven strong innings Friday and has put together three straight quality starts. One of the best starters in the AL Central when he is on, Scherzer has been maddeningly inconsistent. He has seven starts in which he's allowed five runs or more, and 13 yielding two runs or fewer. Jhonny Peralta has killed the Twins in the first two games, going 6-for-9 with two homers and seven RBIs.

FINAL PITCH: Mauer went 14-for-26 (.538) during his hitting streak, raising his average from .250 to .303. The former MVP is still waiting for his power stroke to return, however. Just one of those 14 hits (a double) went for extra bases.