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Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins 5/9/14: Game Time, TV/Radio Coverage, Lineup

By Matt Pelc

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Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers look to start another winning streak after they missed out on a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros on Thursday afternoon. Despite the loss, Detroit has won 13 of their last 17 games with just one loss in the month of May. When the Tigers started their four-game series with the Astros on Monday, the AL Central’s second-best team was the Minnesota Twins. After taking the first game of their four-game series with the Indians in Cleveland, the Twins lost the final three and fell back into the ever-changing cellar of the division.

Detroit Tigers (20-10) vs. Minnesota Twins (15-18) — 7:08 PM ET

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for radio affiliates)

Weather: 71 degrees, 50 percent chance of rain

When We Last Met

As has happened with many Detroit Tigers series in the season’s first month, the previous series with the Minnesota Twins was shortened by rain. After splitting the first two games of a late April series in Minneapolis, the series finale was snuffed out. The teams will play a double-header on Aug 23 to make-up that game. In what became the final game of that series, on April 26, the Tigers built a 2-0 lead in the first behind a strong effort from Anibal Sanchez, but last year’s AL ERA leader would leave the game and later be placed on the DL with a blister on his right middle finger. Phil Hughes settled down and the Twins won 5-3.

Pitching Matchup

It would have been Justin Verlander‘s turn in the rotation that final game in Minnesota. He was likely disappointed he didn’t get a crack at the Twins, whom he has dominated in his career, particularly the last three years (7-0, 9 GS, 2.01 ERA). Despite a “down” year by Verlander standards, the ace went 2-0 with a 2.52 ERA in four starts against Minny last season. J.V., who has often struggled in the beginning of the season during his career, is off to a great start (4-1, 2.68) in 2014. He picked up a win in his last outing, Sunday in Kansas City, allowing three runs and four hits over seven innings in the 9-4 Tigers’ win. Justin has not lost since his second start this year, posting four wins and a no-decision.

The Twins prized free agent pick-up this off-season has been the lone bright spot for a rotation that has been routinely shelled. Phil Hughes (3-1, 4.72) has posted three straight wins and settled down after a rocky start to the season. One of those wins came in the last game between these clubs when he allowed only two first inning runs (only one earned) over seven innings to pick up the win. Hughes had another nice outing in his last appearance, going 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs and six hits in a win over Baltimore.

Tigers Lineup

  1.  Ian Kinsler-2B
  2. Torii Hunter-RF
  3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
  4. Victor Martinez-DH
  5. Austin Jackson-CF
  6. Nick Castellanos-3B
  7. Alex Avila-C
  8. Andrew Romine-SS
  9. Rajai Davis-LF

Injuries 

Tigers:

Twins:

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