Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2011 ) Detroit 5, Minnesota 2

THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers hold a 2 1/2 game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central. The Tigers have an opportunity to pad that lead when they open a three-game series against the reeling Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on Monday night. Detroit had its three-game winning streak snapped Sunday with an 8-5 loss to Baltimore. The Twins have lost 11 of 13 and are seeing their chance to repeat as division champs get smaller by the day.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Detroit (Detroit)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins LH Francisco Liriano (7-9, 5.00 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Rick Porcello (11-7, 4.93 ERA).

Liriano has lost both starts to the Tigers this season, allowing eight earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. He gave up four runs in three innings on May 10, but was even worse on July 24, allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings. That loss dropped him to 4-6 with a 5.36 ERA lifetime versus Detroit. Victor Martinez is batting .476 (10-for-21) in his career against Liriano.

Porcello is coming off one of the worst outings of his career. He allowed eight runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings against Cleveland on Wednesday. The poor start snapped a six-game unbeaten streak. Porcello is 5-3 with a 2.70 ERA in his career against the Twins. Jason Kubel is hitting .440 (11-for-25) lifetime against Porcello.

ABOUT THE TWINS (52-67): What does it say when the highlight of the weekend was a rainout after a delay that lasted nearly three hours? Unfortunately for the Twins, Sunday's postponement was the high point of their trip to Cleveland, which began with a one-run loss on Friday and a two-run defeat on Saturday. Manager Ron Gardenhire admitted the Twins needed to have a winning trip against the Indians and Tigers, which can only happen now if they pull off a sweep in Detroit. Jim Thome is still two homers away from reaching 600 for his career.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (64-56): Finding a productive second baseman is a task that has eluded manager Jim Leyland all season. Carlos Guillen was placed on the disabled list Sunday with a sore wrist. Will Rhymes, Scott Sizemore and Ryan Raburn had opportunities to grab the job, but none of them has seized control. Leyland was hoping Guillen would solve the problem, but the 35-year-old veteran batted .207 in 22 games. Rhymes, called up from Triple-A Toledo, could get another shot, but he hit .221 in his first chance.

FINAL PITCH: Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer could be back in the lineup this series. He hurt his neck taking early batting practice Friday and didn't play in Cleveland.