First Pitch: 7:10pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Bless You Boys
After salvaging a series split by taking the last two games from the Indians, the Twins will try to get the offense and pitching on the same page as they take on the first-place Tigers. Minnesota is currently 5-3 on their homestand, so taking three of four from Detroit would close the gap between these two clubs to just three games. That's the target, although the optimist in me certainly says there's nothing wrong with a four-game sweep.
Standing in their way tonight, naturally, is the best pitcher in the American League. Pitchers and lineups after the jump.
Pavano's been working his ERA down over his last ten starts, posting an ERA of 2.54 in June and 3.32 so far in July. In terms of man to man he has the toughest assignment this series, as he goes up against Justin Verlander. Pavano will have to be extraordinarily sharp, and some help from the bats wouldn't go amiss, either.
Verlander. Good. Verlander very, very, VERY good. In his last ten starts his ERA is 1.15. Damn.
Tigers
Jackson, CF
Boesch, LF
Ordonez, RF
Cabrera, 1B
Martinez, DH
Peralta, SS
Guillen, 2B
Avila, C
Betemit, 3B
Twins
Revere, CF
Casilla, 2B
Mauer, 1B
Cuddyer, RF
Thome, DH
Valencia, 3B
Young, LF
Nishioka, SS
Butera, C