First Pitch: 6:05 pm CT
TV: FSN
Radio: TIBN/TRN
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
Are We Still Mad at the Umpires?: Yes
The Twins are looking to avoid being swept tonight (yes, again), taking on the Tigers in Detroit. For Minnesota, it's Scott Baker against Detroit's young-but-no-longer-20-year-old pitcher Rick Porcello. Baker has been pretty good for the Twins this year (in a season where there has been a lot of bad), and Jesse covered how utilizing his fastball well has been helping him out earlier today. After the jump: pitchers, lineups and a super special game for the evening.
Wow, Baker's facial hair is kind of ridiculous in that photo, isn't it? Anyway, like I said earlier, Baker's been pretty solid this year, getting pretty unlucky when the bullpen comes in to blow a game (shocking, eh?). Hopefully tonight we won't see Moonshot Scott in Detroit, as he'll really need to do his best to go deep in the game and keep the bullpen out of the picture.
Fun fact: SBN still lists Placido Polanco as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Another fun fact? Porcello's full name is Frederick Alfred Porcello. Even ONE MORE fun fact? Jason Kubel is 11-for-22 against Porcello, including 3 doubles and a pair of home runs.
Anyway, Rick Porcello has pretty much grown up in front of our eyes. Now 22 years old, he's had a little success with the Tigers after a rough patch last year, when he was sent down to work on mechanics. Danny Valencia, Jim Thome, and Drew Butera are all 0-fer against Porcello, so we'll see how that goes tonight.
Lineups (Courtesy of Joe C)
TWINS (17-36)1. Denard Span, CF2. Alexi Casilla, SS3. Justin Morneau, 1B4. Michael Cuddyer, RF5. Jim Thome, DH6. Danny Valencia, 3B7. Delmon Young, LF8. Jason Repko, RF9. Drew Butera, C
TIGERS (28-26)
1. Don Kelly, LF
2. Ramon Santiago, 2B
3. Brennan Boesch, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Andy Dirks, CF
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Brandon Inge, 3B
Let's play a game tonight, too. It's called "How Many Times Will Bert Blyleven Say 'Brendan' Boesch and/or Talk About Al Alburquerque's Name?". I'm putting my money on at least 3...for each. Your move, Twinkie Town.