twins vs. detroit series preview

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Rick Porcello (3-3, 4.86) vs. LHP Scott Diamond (4-5, 5.19)

Saturday, 6:15 p.m. • Ch. 9, 96.3-FM

RHP Anibal Sanchez (6-5, 2.65) vs. RHP Samuel Deduno (2-1, 3.47)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Doug Fister (5-4, 3.28) vs. RHP P.J. Walters (2-1, 2.49)

Tigers update

The Tigers are firmly in first place in the AL Central, yet they are only 14-18 on the road and have lost six of their past eight outside Comerica Park. … They have the highest batting average in baseball (.281) and the second-lowest ERA in the American League (3.54). … They have the second-most runs scored in the AL (324), and the second-fewest runs allowed (243). … Miguel Cabrera leads the league in hitting (.358) and RBI (69), and is second in home runs (18). His RBI total is nearly double that of Twins leader Justin Morneau (36). … Closer Jose Valverde has allowed seven runs in his past six appearances and has blown two of his past five save opportunities.

TWINS UPDATE

They are 4-6 against Detroit this season, but 2-1 at Target Field. They have been outscored 41-33 in those 10 games against the Tigers. … They will miss Tigers starters Justin Verlander (8-4) and Max Scherzer (9-0) in this series. … They are 6-7 against the AL East, 6-3 against the AL West and 8-8 against the National League entering Thursday. But the Twins are 9-15 against their fellow AL Central teams, by far the worst mark in the division. … They rank 10th in the AL in runs scored (259) and eighth in fewest runs allowed (283) … Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Josh Willingham are a combined 2-for-30 lifetime against Valverde.

phil miller