Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2011 ) Minnesota 4, Detroit 8

THE STORY: The Detroit Tigers are just checking off their magic number, quickly working their way toward clinching the American League Central. With a seven-game winning streak and no other teams in sight, the Tigers are focused on what lies ahead. The Minnesota Twins have their eyes on the future as well, but a slightly more distant future. The Twins would love to ensure they did not finish last in the Central in 2011, but planning for 2012 is the bigger focus of the organization at the moment. The Tigers will be looking to make it eighth in a row when Max Scherzer takes the mound Saturday in Detroit.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Max Scherzer (14-8, 4.33 ERA) vs. Twins RH Anthony Swarzak (3-6, 3.95).

Lost in Detroit’s 18-2 demolition of the Chicago White Sox on Sunday was the performance of Scherzer, who struck out six and did not walk a batter in seven scoreless innings. The 27-year-old righthander has allowed two earned runs or less in seven of his last 10 outings. Scherzer earned his first win against the Twins on July 22, surrendering one run and four hits in seven innings. Swarzak has filled in admirably for several injured starters but has little to show for his efforts in terms of wins. He absorbed a loss to the White Sox on Monday despite yielding only two runs in eight innings. Swarzak has faced Detroit three times this season - all in relief - and has allowed two runs and six hits over six innings.

ABOUT THE TIGERS (82-62): With Detroit’s win over Minnesota and the Cleveland Indians’ triumph over the Chicago White Sox on Friday, the Tigers’ magic number to clinch the Central is down to 10. Brad Penny gave up four runs in five innings Friday. But for the second start in a row, the offense bailed the burly righthander out in a big way, bashing three home runs en route to an 8-4 win. Alex Avila hit a three-run shot - his 18th - to bring the Tigers back into the game and Ramon Santiago put them ahead for good with a two-run blast. Not to be forgotten with the bottom of the lineup putting up so much production is No. 4 hitter Miguel Cabrera, who reached base for the 35th straight game Friday.

ABOUT THE TWINS (59-85): Players such as Ben Revere, Trevor Plouffe, Chris Parmelee, Joe Benson and Rene Tosoni can’t afford to let the rest of Minnesota’s season slip away. Those rookies and others are using the end of the lost season to make an impression on manager Ron Gardenhire and the Twins’ front office. Veterans such as Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan and Matt Capps are coming off the books this off-season, which should leave some spots up for grabs. For the veterans, the sting of going from first place in 2010 to last in 2011 should provide enough motivation to at least try to outlast the Kansas City Royals and avoid the basement.

FINAL PITCH: A season full of injuries to the starting rotation made its way into the minors for Minnesota this week when top prospect Kyle Gibson underwent Tommy John surgery. The procedure will likely wipe out the entire 2012 campaign for the 23-year old righthander, who struggled to a 3-8 record with a 4.81 ERA in 18 starts at Triple A Rochester before shutting it down.