This isn't about Cliff Lee, it's about Liriano vs. Verlander

Morneau questionable for Tigers series, and the All-Star Game.

July 9, 2010 at 9:27PM

DETROIT -- OK, Cliff Lee is heading to the Rangers, not the Yankees.

But the point I made earlier still stands. The way the Twins have played in their 5-11 stretch, it's reasonable to wonder if Lee could have lifted them to the postseason. It's time for the players who are here to turn things around. Now is the perfect time, with a three-game weekend series in Detroit, right before the All-Star break.

It starts with Francisco Liriano vs. Justin Verlander. I'll be back later with the starting lineup and update on Justin Morneau.

Update: The big news here is that Twins first baseman Justin Morneau still has a headache from the concussion he suffered Wednesday night. He is not only questionable for this series but questionable for the All-Star Game.

TWINS (45-40)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Jim Thome, DH
5. Jason Kubel, RF
6. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
7. Delmon Young, LF
8. J.J. Hardy, SS
9. Nick Punto, 3B

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (6-6, 3.32 ERA)

TIGERS (46-37)

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1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Ryan Raburn, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, DH
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Brennan Boesch, RF
6. Carlos Guillen, 2B
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Danny Worth, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Justin Verlander (10-5, 3.85 ERA)

Comerica Park. First pitch: 6:05 p.m. (Central). TV: FSN. Twins Radio Network

about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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