Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins Game 85: Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (43-41) at Minnesota Twins (46-39) — 8:10 PM ET

Target Field — Minneapolis, MN

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather:  80 degrees, clear

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Game Preview

The Detroit Tigers will try to continue their dominance over the AL Central and move closer to first place with the MLB All-Star break next week.

When We Last Met

These two teams haven’t met since the middle of May when the Tigers took 2-of-3 and outscored the Twins, 17-8. Detroit has won all three series and has a 7-2 record against Minnesota this season. In those nine games, the Tigers have outscored the Twins, 56-23.

Pitching Matchup

Detroit should at least feel good about Game 1 of the series because ace David Price is going to start. The Tigers have won 14 of Price’s 17 starts this season, including both of his outings against the Twins.

Price is 8-2 with a 2.54 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 117 innings this season. In his last start against the best offense in the league, Price allowed just one run on eight hits in seven innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He also had seven strikeouts and one walk.

The left-hander is 2-0 versus Minnesota this season and both victories came in April. In those two outings, he has pitched 15 innings, posted a 1.80 ERA, struck out 12 and walked just two.

Minnesota will send right-hander Mike Pelfrey to the mound. He is 5-5 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings this season. Pelfrey has also allowed 32 walks, which is way too many for a pitcher with under a 0.50 K/IP rate.

In his last start, Pelfrey’s lack of control was on full display. He walked three batters, struck out three and allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings versus Kansas City. In the previous start, Pelfrey allowed eight runs on nine hits in two frames. He has yielded at least three walks in each of his last three outings.

With the way the Tigers were hitting in Seattle, they should continue to tally plenty of runs with Pelfrey on the bump.

Detroit Tigers Lineup

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

Injuries

• Miguel Cabrera — 15-day DL
• Kyle Lobstein — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season

Next: Still hope left despite Miggy's injury