First Pitch: 1:10pm CDT
TV: WFTC29
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
Starting Pitchers
Nick continues to work his magic, and the fact that he's able to do it so consistently might be what's most surprising. Eight quality starts and counting, if he can do it again today. As usual, it'll be all about being able to hit his spots and get some sink on his fastball. Detroit will have their opportunities to get on base, there's no doubt about that, but if Blackburn can continue to come up big in tight spots it'll be another long afternoon for the Tiger offense.
Porcello is a 20-year old right-hander in his first season in the bigs, and he's done well. The 27th overall pick in 2007, he profiles as an efficient control pitcher. He doesn't record a lot of strikeouts, but in those ways he's a lot like Blackburn. He offers a good fastball in the low-90's, an off-speed pitch in the low-80's and a breaking ball. So far this year he's been a big ground-ball guy, accounting for 57% of his balls-in-play. But he's still been susceptible to the long ball at times, which means the big inning is a definite possibility. His FIP is 4.94, a full run worse than his standard ERA.