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Pregame: Torii's turn to afflict Twins?

Another former Minnesota center fielder is in town as Twins try to keep A.L. Central race close.

June 14, 2013 at 9:37PM
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera is congratulated after his two-run home run by teammate Torii Hunter in front of Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer during the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Tuesday, April 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera is congratulated after his two-run home run by teammate Torii Hunter in front of Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer during the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Tuesday, April 30, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Somehow, I have a nagging feeling that Torii Hunter is due for a big weekend here at Target Field.

Call it a hunch. But after watching Denard Span go 4-for-6 last weekend against the Twins, and Ben Revere drive them nuts with an 8-for-14 series, it just seems like Shark Week, with ex-Twins centerfielders as the sharks.

If Rich Becker shows up with the White Sox next week, I'll know for sure.

Hunter is a career .296 hitter against the Twins, with seven home runs. He's only got two homers this year, though.

Anyway, the beat-up Twins are feeling OK about themselves, and now they have a chance to keep the A.L. Central race close. The Tigers are 6 1/2 games ahead, but have a 14-18 record on the road. And Minnesota misses both 8-4 Justin Verlander and 9-0 Max Scherzer in this series.

Reminder: Tonight's game is a late start (7:35 p.m.) because of the Twins Hall of Fame ceremony honoring Eddie Guardado and Tom Mee.

Here are tonight's lineups, with Josh Willingham serving as the designated hitter once more:

TIGERS

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Jackson CF
Hunter RF
Cabrera 3B
Fielder 1B
Martinez DH
Peralta SS
Tuiasosopo LF
Infante 2B
Avila C

Porcello RHP

TWINS

Carroll 3B
Mauer C
Doumit RF
Willingham DH
Morneau 1B
Arcia 1B
Thomas CF
Dozier 2B
Florimon SS

Diamond LHP

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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