Thome and Kubel get the nod against Verlander

DETROIT -- I texted our NHL guru, Michael Russo, for a prediction and he says: Red Wings 4, Coyotes 2. Russo will be watching the game with Dino Ciccarelli, which sounds pretty cool to me.

But before the puck drops, it's time for Game 1 between the Twins and Tigers. When it came time to make tonight's lineup, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had several good options, with several hitters who've had success against Tigers righthander Justin Verlander:

Jim Thome 10-for-41 (7 HR); Joe Mauer 14-for-37 (3 HR); Michael Cuddyer 5-for-34 (1 HR), Justin Morneau 9-for-30 (2 HR), Jason Kubel 9-for-25, Denard Span 9-for20, Delmon Young 5-for-18, Brendan Harris 2-for-13, Alexi Casilla 2-for-9, J.J. Hardy 1-for-6.

Gardenhire noted that lefthanders have fared better against Verlander (batting .354 this year, compared to .200 for righthanders) and went with Thome and Kubel, with Delmon Young available off the bench.

It's worth noting that the Tigers have three lefthanded relievers (Phil Coke, Fu-Te Ni and former Twin Brad Thomas) so Young could play a role later.

TWINS (13-6)

1. Denard Span, CF

3. Joe Mauer, C

4. Justin Morneau, 1B

5. Michael Cuddyer, RF

6. Jason Kubel, LF

7. Jim Thome, DH

9. Brendan Harris, 3B

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (2-0, 1.29 ERA)

TIGERS (11-9)

1. Austin Jackson, CF

2. Johnny Damon, DH

4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

5. Brandon Inge, 3B

6. Ryan Raburn, LF

7. Gerald Laird, C

8. Scott Sizemore, 2B

Starting pitcher: RH Justin Verlander (1-1, 6.95 ERA)