Probables
- Friday, 7:10pm, FSN: Scott Diamond vs. Rick Porcello
- Saturday, 6:15pm, FOX: Samuel Deduno vs. Anibal Sanchez
- Sunday, 1:10pm, FSN, it's Father's Day, take your Dad to a game why doncha: P.J. Walters vs. Doug Fister
Tigers Notes
- Austin Jackson, on the DL since May 12, is headed to Minnesota this weekend to return to the big leagues after a rehab assignment. To make room, the Tigers sent down young Avisail Garcia, who is better than their other outfield option, Matt Tuiasosopo, but who needs to play every day. Look for this particular production to come to Minnesota later this year, with Aaron Hicks playing the role of Jackson, Oswaldo Arcia filling Garcia's shoes, and a star turn from Clete Thomas as Matt Tuiasosopo.
- Rick Porcello, Friday's starter, hasn't won back-to-back starts all season. He won his last time out, so one can only assume that (remainder of sentence deleted, owing to the Twins' ability to break any trend).
- The Tigers have the American League's fifth-best record... but the best run differential, as they've scored 81 more runs than they've allowed. Having the AL's best starting staff, by far, helps a lot - they've combined for a 3.40 ERA, nearly two runs better than the Twins, who've posted a AAA-in-the-majors 5.15.
- Miguel Cabrera has been on base 134 times already this year. Among American League hitters, only Dustin Pedroia (125) is within 15 of him in that category. He's just always there, always on base - or clearing them, as he's hit 18 homers.
- Detroit just finished playing three straight 3-2 games, losing two of three to Kansas City. (This is not really a note, I just thought it was a nice coincidence, somehow.)
Twins Notes
- I'm hoping Anthony Slama shows up to Target Field this weekend, sits behind the dugout, and screams at Gardy until security has to drag him away.
- According to that same story, from Phil Miller of the Star Tribune and linked above, Wilkin Ramirez is showing no signs of complications from his concussion. Other, of course, than not being able to name the months of the year in order.
- Vance Worley threw a shutout in his first game at Triple-A. He followed up with a seven-inning, four-run outing. Now, he's lost his last two starts, didn't make it through the sixth inning in either one, and opponents batted nearly .400 off him in the two starts combined. In conclusion, Vance Worley is not doing much right so far in Rochester.
- Scott Diamond, who starts tonight, has quietly compiled a terrible 5.19 ERA in 11 starts this year. If it wasn't for Mike Pelfrey (6.12) and Worley (7.21), we'd be hearing a lot more about how awful Diamond, the supposed staff ace, has been.