Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins Game 86: Preview, TV, Lineup

Detroit Tigers (44-41) at Minnesota Twins (46-40) — 8:10 PM ET

Target Field — Minneapolis, MN

TV: FSD

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (click for affiliates)

Weather:  83 degrees, partly cloudy

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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. As of Friday, Detroit is seven games behind the first-place Kansas City Royals and a 1.5 behind Minnesota for second.

When We Last Met

Behind another strong outing from ace David Price, the Tigers beat the Twins, 4-2, on Thursday. Detroit is now 8-2 versus Minnesota this season and has outscored the Twins, 60-25, in those 10 games.

Price allowed just two unearned runs in his eight innings on Thursday. Ian Kinsler provided the offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs in the victory.

Pitching Matchup

Not only is Friday’s game important for the standings, but it is also vital that right-hander Justin Verlander gets back on track. If the Tigers are going to be true contenders this season, Verlander needs to be a solid No. 2 starter behind Price.

Verlander is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 22 2/3 innings over four starts this season. His last outing began strongly until the fifth when he allowed six runs and two homers.

Right-hander Ervin Santana will start for the Twins, and like Verlander, he missed the beginning of the season. Santana, however, was suspended for PEDs rather than injured.

Santana has made just one start this season, going eight innings and allowing two runs on three hits versus the Royals. He also struck out eight and walked three. Santana is 8-3 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 career starters versus Detroit.

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: Detroit Tigers All-Time All-Stars