Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins Game 3 Preview, TV Coverage, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (2-0) vs Minnesota Twins (0-2)— 1:08 PM

Comerica Park — Detroit, MI

TV: FSD, For out-of-market fans, most cable and satellite providers have a free preview of MLB Extra Innings in the season’s first week)

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 61 degrees, thunderstorm

Game Preview 

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It is hard to argue against the fact that the Detroit Tigers have played two near perfect games to start the 2015 season. Sure they are playing the Minnesota Twins, but let’s remember they matched up terrible against their rivals last year, losing 10 of 19 games and allowing 119 runs to be scored.

With a win this afternoon, the Tigers can sweep the Twins. It would be a big early sweep because the team has a tough early schedule and will be the home opening opponents on the upcoming road trip for two teams, the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates, with postseason aspirations.

When We Last Met

With their 11-0 domination on Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers shut out an opponent in two straight games to open the season for the first time in franchise history—dating back to 1901. It was the first time an AL team has not scored runs in the first two games of the season since the expansion 1977 Seattle Mariners.

Anibal Sanchez and a group of relievers cruised on Wednesday and the Tigers’ bats fired on all cylinders with Jose Iglesias, Ian Kinsler and Alex Avila starring in the victory.

Pitching Matchup

Will Shane Greene (5-4, 3.78 in 2014) be the guy to allow the first Minnesota run of the season? He will make his first appearance as a Detroit Tiger in Thursday’s game. He throws hard and fits the Detroit mold perfectly. It will not be the first time he’s thrown at Comerica Park.

The last time he suited up here it was in pinstripes as he picked up the victory for the New York Yankees last Aug. 27. He allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings and won his second game over the Tigers in 2014.

This will be his first career appearance against Minnesota.

The Twins will counter with Kyle Gibson (13-12, 4.47 in 2014). He has been hit hard by the Tigers in his two-year Major League career dating back to the 2013 season, going 2-3 in five starts, posting a 6.00 ERA.

Detroit Tigers Lineup 

1. Anthony Gose-CF
2. Ian Kinsler-2B
3. Miguel Cabrera-1B
4. Victor Martinez-DH
5. J.D. Martinez-RF
6. Yoenis Cespedes-LF
7. Nick Castellanos-3B
8. Alex Avila-C
9. Jose Iglesias-SS

Injuries

Tigers

• Bruce Rondon — 15-day DL
• Justin Verlander — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – 15-day DL

Twins

• Ervin Santana — PED suspension through early July

Next: Nathan should be out for good