Series preview: Twins vs. Detroit

Twins getting better at home as Tigers appear to rebuild

THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD

Friday, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Ervin Santana (11-6, 2.99) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 6.08)

Saturday, 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: RHP Kyle Gibson (5-8, 6.29) vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (6-7, 5.58)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM: LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-4, 4.22) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (3-5, 5.58)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins are still only 22-29 at home, but have won or split their past four series in Target Field. … They are 2-4 against the Tigers, having lost two of three in both cities. They have won the season series with Detroit only once since 2011, and are 44-74 in that time. … Miguel Sano has 13 career doubles against the Tigers, but no more than seven against any other team. … Santana is 9-4 with a 3.08 career ERA in 19 starts against Detroit. … Gibson has allowed 12 runs, 11 earned, in only 6 2/3 innings (14.85) in two starts against the Tigers this season. … The Twins are 36-31 when facing righthanded starting pitchers, but only 12-15 against lefthanders. … LHP Taylor Rogers has 22 holds this season, which leads the major leagues. No Twin had more than Ryan Pressly's 14 in 2016.

TIGERS update

The Tigers are 4-3 since the All-Star break after losing 16-4 on Thursday at Kansas City, eight games below .500, but remain on the fringe of the AL Central race. But they appear to be giving up on 2017 and rebuilding, after trading OF J.D. Martinez to Arizona. They also are reportedly listening to offers for 2B Ian Kinsler, closer Justin Wilson and perhaps even former MVP Justin Verlander. … They are 18-30 on the road, and have not won a road series against anyone but the Royals since taking two of three at Target Field on April 21-23. … They are 22-18 within their division. … Sanchez opened the season in the bullpen but was terrible; he was sent to Class AAA Toledo in May. But since his return as a starter June 19, he has a 3.99 ERA. … A year after hitting 38 home runs, 1B Miguel Cabrera has only 12 this season. Cabrera has hit 40 home runs against the Twins in the past decade; no other opponent has hit more than 24.

Phil Miller