Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins: Game 162 Preview, Lineup, Playoff Scenarios

Detroit Tigers (89-72) vs Minnesota Twins (70-91) — 1:08 p.m. ET

Comerica Park– Detroit, MI

TV: Fox Sports Detroit

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (could be AM 1270 in Detroit because of conflict with Lions’ game at same time) (click for affiliates)

Weather:  69 degrees, cloudy

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Playoff Scenarios

The Detroit Tigers understand the easiest way to give themselves a break and ensure a spot in the ALDS is to win today. So after 161 games, it comes right down to the last one.

• IF THEY WIN TODAY: Tigers prepare for the start of the ALDS against Orioles in Baltimore beginning probably Wednesday or Thursday.
• IF THEY LOSE TODAY: And Royals lose too, the above scenario happens. If the Royals win, then the teams will play a 163rd game tiebreaker at Comerica Park on Monday.

We can cross the 163rd bridge if we HAVE TO cross it, but cmon Tigers, just win today. Simply put, however, the 163rd game would determine who wins the AL Central. The loser of that game would host the wild-card game against Oakland or Seattle.

When We Last Met

It likely could not have gone much worse for the Detroit Tigers last night, but then on the other hand, it could have gone much worse. The Tigers led the game 1-0 when Rajai Davis went out with an injury. It was later announced as some sort of groin sprain, which sounds like a painful injury that could sideline one of the Tigers’ biggest spark plugs this season. Then Minnesota’s bats went to work again, pumelling Tigers’ pitching for a second straight night in route to a 12-3 humiliation. Thankfully, the White Sox woke up for one night and held on to beat the Royals to keep them one-game behind, though no one is expected that out of Chicago again.

Pitching Matchup

David Price (14-12, 3.36) was brought here to help increase the starting pitching depth and now he gets the must-win, final game of the season for his new team. Price had been a big game pitcher for the Rays, pitching in many of these scenarios, 163rd games, and wild-card games. But will we see dominant Price? He was dominant in his last start, but while vying for a complete game he started allowing hit after hit, something that has doomed him in other recent starts. There’s no margin of error in this game, Price must be big.

Kyle Gibson (13-11, 4.50) has had an up and down season, but the fact he is over .500 for a battered Twins’ pitching staff has been a Godsend. He faced the Tigers 11 days again in Minnesota and allowed four runs on seven hits, however (of course) Minnesota battered the Tigers’ pitchers and earned a 8-4 win. His last time out he allowed just one run on seven hits in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team playing out the string.

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. Alex Avila-C
7. Nick Castellanos-3B
8. Andrew Romine-SS
9. Ezequiel Carrera-CF

Tigers

• Rajai Davis – Questionable
• 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