Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins 4/26/14: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers look to take two straight on the road over their rivals from Minnesota and clinch their first road series of the season when they face the Twins on Saturday afternoon.

Detroit Tigers (11-8) at Minnesota Twins (11-11) – 2:10 P.M.

Target Field – Minneapolis, MN

TV: FSD

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

Weather: 54 degrees, sunny

When We Last Met

The Tigers did something rare on Friday night–scored first. It was only the seventh time all season that Detroit scored the first run(s) and they would go on win, running their record to 5-2 in games in which they score first. It seemed academic when the Tigers got up by 10-1 buoyed by nine runs over the second and third innings (seven alone in the third). Starter Rick Porcello was sharp until the sixth and then the wheels fell off and he and Evan Reed allowed Minnesota to get back within shouting distance, but the Tigers prevailed 10-6.

Pitching Matchup

Anibal Sanchez (0-2, 3.54) is still in search of his first win of the season. He pitched well in his last outing, but had little run support to withstand a poor seventh inning when he allowed three runs to the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers scored just one run and lost the game. Lack of run support is nothing new for Sanchez, especially against the Twins. Last season he started five games against Minnesota and posted a 1.78 ERA in 30 innings of work, but had just a 1-1 record.

Minnesota’s prized off-season acquisition, former Yankee Phil Hughes (1-1, 6.43), has been part of the Twins rotation that has been hit hard in the early going of 2014. He actually just put together his best start as a Twin his last time out, allowing three runs on nine hits in six innings to pick up his first win last Sunday. Prior to that, Hughes had allowed four earned runs in each of his first three starts. Hughes started two games against the Tigers with New York last year and was carved up for eight runs in 15 innings.

Tigers Lineup

Alex Avila will get the day off after suffering a left shin contusion on Friday night. Bryan Holaday came in for Avila in the sixth inning yesterday and will get the start today. Avila is listed as day-to-day.