Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins: Game 161 Preview, Lineup, TV/Radio Coverage

Detroit Tigers (89-71) vs Minnesota Twins (69-91) — 7:08 p.m. ET

Comerica Park– Detroit, MI

TV: Fox Sports Detroit

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather:  70 degrees, partly cloudy

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Game Notes

With their magic number still at at two, the Detroit Tigers need to beat the Minnesota Twins tonight and get help from the Chicago White Sox by beating the Kansas City Royals to be able to celebrate a divisional title at home for the first time since 1987.

When We Last Met

Rick Porcello‘s poor second half continued to be costly for the Tigers after he buried them in a deep early hole. The closest they would come would be 6-3 before Porcello and the bullpen allowed the hot-hitting Twins offense to pile on more runs in the 11-4 loss. The loss coupled with Kansas City’s win over Chicago pulled the Royals to within one game of the Tigers with two to play.

Pitching Matchup

Kyle Lobstein (1-1, 3.38) has truly been a breath of fresh air, but more than likely the Tigers would not have wanted the rookie to be pressed into service in this must-win ballgame. Lobstein picked up his first loss of his career when the offense hung him out to dry on Monday. The lefty allowed just two runs on five hits and struck out five White Sox. His first major league appearance came against Minnesota on Aug. 23, allowing three runs on four hits in an extended relief outing.

Ricky Nolasco (5-12, 5.47) should be the perfect outlet for Tigers’ bats to get going, though they have made lesser pitchers look like All-Stars lately. Nolasco has not picked up a victory since July 1–JULY 1! He has gone 0-6 in nine starts since, although he was great against the Tigers on Sept. 16 (again with the making lesser pitchers look like All-Stars), shutting them down through eight innings.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

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

Tigers

• Luke Putkonen – Out indefinitely
• Andy Dirks – Out indefinitely
• Joel Hanrahan – 60-day DL
• Drew VerHagen – Out for season
• Jose Iglesias – Out for season
• Bruce Rondon – Out for season

Twins

• Jordan Schafer – Questionable
• Trevor Plouffe – Out for season
• Glen Perkins – Out indefinitely
• Tommy Milone – Out indefinitely
• Mike Pelfrey – Out for season