Series preview: Tigers at Twins

Boy, what a difference a week makes.

When the Twins went off to Detroit to face the Tigers last week, they were tied for first place in the division and the Tigers were in last. Now? The Twins are tied for last place and the Tigers are tied for first.

But that fact really just highlights how close the central division race is right now—all five teams are within one game of each other. So really, the Tigers are only 8-7 and the Twins are 7-8, which isn’t that big of a difference. This weekend’s three game series could easily put the Twins back in first place if they were to sweep the Tigers.

But will the Twins sweep the Tigers? The Twins have lost four game straight, and now have to face the top of the Tigers rotation. They also don’t get to face Jordan Zimmermann, the guy they knocked around for five runs in their only victory over the Tigers so far this year.

What I’m saying is the chances of the Twins sweeping the Tigers this weekend seem pretty slim.

There is some hope for the Twins, though. The Tigers are also sort of reeling right now, having just gotten swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. Their ace Justin Verlander, who pitches on Friday, has historically been dominant over the Twins, but is so far off to the worst start of the season in his career (he gave up nine earned runs in four innings last weekend against Cleveland). Also, Miguel Cabrera is old now—he turned thirty-four on Monday. Thirty-four! He has to slow down and stop terrorizing us at some point, right!?

I guess we’ll see who really wants to be in first place in the AL Central this weekend.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1: Friday, 4/21 7:10 pm CT - Hector Santiago LHP vs. Justin Verlander RHP

Game 2: Saturday, 4/22 1:10 pm CT - Adalberto Mejia LHP vs. Matthew Boyd LHP

Game 3: Sunday, 4/23 12:10 pm CT - Kyle Gibson RHP vs. Micahel Fulmer RHP

Notes

• Miguel Cabrera has two home runs in 25 career at-bats against Hector Santiago, who starts Friday.
• Cabrera has one home run in 24 career at-bats against Kyle Gibson, who starts Sunday.
• But Cabrera has no home runs off Adalberto Mejia, who starts Saturday! That’s because he’s never face Mejia, though.
• Speaking of Mejia, he was supposed to pitch Wednesday against the Indians, but the game was rained out and Twins skipped him to start Ervin Santana on Thursday. But poor Mejia needs to pitch! So that’s why he’s starting Saturday, which effectively moves him to the third spot in the rotation.
• Justin Upton has missed the last two Tigers games because he bruised his wrist.
• Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias has been out after getting hit in the face with a pitch on Wednesday. He might be going to the disabled list.
• Torii Hunter is making his TV broadcasting debut today, Friday! He’ll be in place of Bert Blyleven.