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Game 81: Detroit Tigers @ Minnesota Twins

First Pitch: 7:10pm CDT
TV: FS-N
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys

Starting Pitchers


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Lucas French 0-0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0.00 1.00

French, Detroit's 23-year old southpaw rookie, is making his first career MLB start after a pair of relief appearances over this week. He's a fastball-slider-changeup guy, almost exclusively, but he's had a great year in triple-A this season: 81.2 innings, 3.16 FIP, great strikeout numbers and good control. As for what to expect tonight it's hard to say; he's always been good with the walks, but all the strikeouts are recent, but ultimately his level of success tonight will depend on his nerves. If he can (cliche alert) "stay within himself" he might be alright, but right now I have to believe he's ripe for the picking. Or hitting. Of course now I've said that, he'll own us...which is the last thing anyone should want. Owned by the French? No, thanks.


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2009 - Kevin Slowey 10-3 15 15 0 0 0 0 87.2 108 44 43 14 15 71 4.41 1.40

Slowey's job tonight? Defeat the French. Kevin had been cruising for a while, racking up the quality starts (five in a row) until a little hiccup early in June. He came back with two more quality starts but was hit hard again his last time out, and suddenly all those hits look like they're taking their toll. The Tigers are on top of the division with a big target on their back, which means this is Slowey's most important start of the season so far. He'll need to step up and deliver.

Lineups

Tigers
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Marcus Thames, DH
Don Kelly, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Josh Anderson, RF
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS

Twins
Denard Span, LF
Brendan Harris, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, 1B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Joe Crede, 3B
Delmon Young, DH
Carlos Gomez, CF
Nick Punto, 2B