Detroit Tigers vs Minnesota Twins Game 33 Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (19-13) vs Minnesota Twins (18-14) – 7:08 PM ET

Comerica Park – Detroit, MI

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather: 55 degrees, overcast

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Game Preview

Who would have predicted before the season that the Tigers and Twins would be playing for second place in the AL Central nearly halfway through the middle of June. Well, the unpredictability of baseball is one of our favorite things about it.

Minnesota has won nine of their last 11 games as they are off to their best start after 32 games since 2010. They did, however, lose to Cleveland on Sunday, 8-2.

Detroit also lost on Sunday, in heartbreaking fashion, 2-1, in extra innings versus Kansas City. The Tigers have lost both their last two series to division rivals, Royals and White Sox, so this is an important series to try and get back on track.

When We Last Met

Despite their best start in half a decade, the Twins have been unable to solve the Tigers as Detroit has taken five of the first six games between the two clubs.

In the first series of the year in Detroit, the Tigers dominated only allowing one run. The second series two weeks ago in Minnesota was much closer. Detroit won two of three, but by a combined score of, 17-14.

Sounds like a Lions and Vikings score.

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Alfredo Simon will be on the mound for the Tigers as he tries to “right the ship” after two subpar starts. He has yielded nine runs over his last 9 1/3 innings which came versus the Royals and White Sox.

Overall, Simon is 3-1 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 23 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings.

One of the biggest reasons the Twins are having success in the early part of 2015 is 27-year-old starter Kyle Gibson. He is 3-2 with a 2.97 ERA in 36 1/3 innings this season although that could be a little misleading because Gibson also has a 1.35 WHIP and just 11 strikeouts versus 15 walks. Gibson will start for Minnesota.

Gibson gave up six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings pitched versus the Tigers in April. Simon has not faced the Twins this season.

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 2B
8. James McCann C
9. Jose Iglesias SS

Twins Lineup

1. Brian Dozier 2B
2. Torri Hunter RF
3. Joe Mauer 1B
4. Trevor Plouffe 3B
5. Kurt Suzuki C
6. Kennys Vargas DH
7. Eduardo Escobar LF
8. Aaron Hicks CF
9. Danny Santana SS

Injuries

• Jose Iglesias — Day-to-Day
• Bruce Rondon — 15-day DL
• Alex Avila — 15-day DL
• Justin Verlander — 15-day DL
• Joe Nathan – Out for the Season