Twins-Detroit series preview

Last update: June 28, 2007 - 10:55 PM

THREE-GAME SERIES AT COMERICA PARK

Today, 6:05 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

LHP Johan Santana (8-6, 2.83 ERA) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (9-2, 2.78)

Saturday, 2:55 p.m. • Ch. 9, 1500-AM

RHP Kevin Slowey (2-0, 4.94) vs. LHP Andrew Miller (3-1, 2.70)

Sunday, 7:09 p.m. • ESPN, 1500-AM

RHP Scott Baker (2-2, 5.77) vs. RHP Jeremy Bonderman (8-1, 3.90)

KEY MATCHUP

Tonight offers a classic pitcher's duel. Santana is 10-3 with a 2.70 ERA for his career against Detroit. Verlander is 3-2 with a 2.90 ERA against the Twins. Since tossing a no-hitter against Milwaukee on June 12, Verlander is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA. But he lasted only three innings in the Twins' 11-3 victory at Detroit on April 28.

TWINS UPDATE

No wonder the Twins were so eager to get Justin Morneau back for this series. In 46 career games against the Tigers, he is batting .305 with 10 homers and 31 RBI. He is 5-for-11 (.455) with two career home runs against Verlander, including a double and home run on April 28. The Twins are 3-3 against the Tigers this year, with each team winning two of three at the other's home ballpark.

TIGERS UPDATE

The Tigers lead the majors with 465 runs scored. Magglio Ordonez, who leads the majors with a .377 batting average, has a 14-game hitting streak. But for all their other strengths, the Tigers have serious bullpen concerns. Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are on the disabled list, so Jim Leyland must piece together the bridge between the starters and closer Todd Jones. And Jones has been shaky, too, posting a 9.90 ERA in June.

JOE CHRISTENSEN