Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Apr 12, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman

Brian Dozier

(2) hits a solo home run in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins weren’t expected to do much this season besides sit at the bottom of the division standings, but they’ve had a strong first month so far, sitting just a game behind the Detroit Tigers in second place in the AL Central. It’s still very early in the season — they might still very well end up at the bottom — but so far they’ve been scoring enough runs to make up for a rather poor starting pitching staff.

Detroit Tigers (10-8) at Minnesota Twins (11-10) – 8:10 P.M.

Target Field – Minneapolis, MN

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 FM The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy

When We Last Met

The Tigers won the season series 11-8 over the Twins in 2013, including a 2-1 series win at Target Field in late September that saw a division-clinching champagne celebration. Detroit won 5 of the 9 meetings at Target Field in 2013.

Pitching Matchup

Rick Porcello will get the start for the Tigers looking to build upon an outstanding outing against the Los Angeles Angels last Saturday. Rick allowed a first inning run that that one, but settled in nicely and kept the Halos off the board for the remainder of his seven total innings. His strikeout totals have been down early, but he’s only walked three batters and has induced even more ground balls than usual. His 3.15 ERA, 2.93 FIP, and 3.08 xFIP should generate no complaints.

Kevin Correia will oppose him for the Twins. Correia doesn’t issue very many free passes, but he also doesn’t hardly strike anyone out (he had the second lowest strikeout rate among qualified starters last year) and has had trouble giving up home runs at times in his career. Expect the Tigers (who have the second lowest strikeout rate of any team offense this year) to put a ton of balls in play against him.

Tigers Lineup