Twins vs. Detroit series preview

Last update: September 17, 2009 - 6:59 PM

THREE-GAME SERIES AT THE METRODOME

Today, 7:10 p.m. • FSN, 1500-AM

LHP Brian Duensing (3-1, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP Rick Porcello (13-8, 4.21)

Saturday, 3:10 p.m. • Ch. 9, 1500-AM

RHP Carl Pavano (12-11, 4.91) vs. RHP Justin Verlander (16-8, 3.34)

Sunday, 1:10 p.m. • Ch. 29, 1500-AM

RHP Scott Baker (13-8, 4.35 ERA) vs. LHP Nate Robertson (1-2, 5.35)

TWINS UPDATE

The Twins are 7-4 against Detroit this season, including 5-1 at the Metrodome. With a victory tonight, they'd match their longest winning streak of the season at five, and also match their high-water mark of the season at three games above .500. ... Joe Mauer's 87 RBI are a career high. He had 85 last season. ... Carl Pavano's first three victories against Detroit this season came for Cleveland, opposite Armando Galarraga. In his first start for the Twins, on Aug. 8 at Detroit, Pavano pitched seven innings and the Twins toppled Justin Verlander and the Tigers 11-0.

ABOUT THE TIGERS

At age 20, Porcello is the majors' first 13-game winner under age 21 since Dwight Gooden in 1985. The Tigers did a masterful job limiting his innings midseason. Porcello is 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA in his past nine starts. ... The Tigers are 2-11 in their past 13 road series. ... Against lefthanded starters, the Tigers have been moving Curtis Granderson from the leadoff spot to the seventh spot and keeping Carlos Guillen on the bench. ... With Jarrod Washburn out indefinitely because of a knee injury and Armando Galarraga relegated to bullpen duty, the Tigers are moving forward with two big question marks in their rotation, in Nate Robertson and Eddie Bonine.

JOE CHRISTENSEN

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