Game 116: Twins @ Tigers

Time: 5:10 Central. Vegas Line: -140 MIN / DET +130

Weather: Slight Chance Of Storms, Start Temp 84°

Opponent’s Nice SB Site: Bless You Boys

TV: FSN. Radio: Gladden eaten at biker rally by toy poodle

Ahh, Liriano. And Gardy, and the Tigers. Brings back some memories, huh? Of course the classic one is Game 163, and you can certainly guess the only Twin on that roster still with the club today. You can probably guess who’s the Only Tiger still in Detroit, too (it’s Miguel Cabrera). And, of course, there’s recently departed Fernando Rodney.

But it’s still fun to look at those old rosters. Did you know that Casey Fien and Juan Rincon were on that Tiger squad? Or Clete Thomas? Yay, Clete! While the Twins had hibachi master Delmon Young, who’d eventually be in Detroit for a spell. Adam Everett’s name pops up, too.

Liriano didn’t pitch in that game, since he was having a rough second season back from injury. And, as you know, that’s been the pattern for him, ever since; some good years, some bad. After getting hurt his fastball was never quite the same, and when he couldn’t locate it hitters laid off his top-notch slider. Even during his best years with Pittsburgh (2013-2015), he was walking too many guys, and that’s been the case this season. Here’s who he’ll face today:

@Twins

Tyler Austin is making his first start for Minnesota and Johnny Field his second. Good Gibby will go against this Tigers lineup:

@Tigers

Once again, BYB has an excellent game preview by Rob Rogacki, who summarizes the Key Matchup as “Liriano vs. watchability.” It seems Frankie is a bit on the slow end when it comes to pace of play (unsurprising given that 1.423 WHIP), so this could be a long one.