THREE-GAME SERIES AT TARGET FIELD
Monday, 7:10 p.m. FSN, 96.3-FM
LHP Kyle Lobstein (3-7, 5.31 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Duffey (2-1, 4.18)
Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. FSN, 96.3-FM
RHP Alfredo Simon (12-9, 4.94) vs. RHP Phil Hughes (10-8, 4.49)
Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. FSN, 96.3-FM
TBA vs. RHP Ervin Santana (5-4, 4.73)
TIGERS UPDATE
They went 1-9 to close August and fall into last place in the AL Central, where they have not finished since 2008. After winning four straight Central titles, they are on the brink of being mathematically eliminated from the division race. … Their rotation was scrambled by rainouts Friday and Saturday in Cleveland, and a doubleheader Sunday, leaving their starter on Wednesday still in doubt. … They are 31-38 on the road, entering Sunday, and have lost seven of their past eight. … Published reports last week asserted that Brad Ausmus will be replaced as manager at season's end, but General Manager Al Avila said no evaluation has been made. … At .349, Miguel Cabrera appears headed toward his fourth AL batting title in five seasons. But with just 17 home runs, Cabrera will likely finish with his fewest homers since his rookie year of 2003 (12). … They have allowed 710 runs this season (entering Sunday), more than any AL team.
TWINS UPDATE
This is the beginning of 10 straight games at Target Field, where the Twins are 42-26 and have won six of their past eight games. … They are 5-8 against the Tigers this season, 4-3 at Target Field, but have won the past three games by a combined score of 24-12. They have been outscored 72-49 overall this year by Detroit. … They have lost the season series to the Tigers three of the past four seasons. … In 14 ⅔ innings over 16 appearances, reliever Kevin Jepsen has never allowed an earned run to Detroit. Jepsen has allowed a batting average of only .132 since coming to Minnesota. … 1B Joe Mauer has reached base in 33 consecutive games, second-longest streak of his career (36 in 2009) and fifth-longest in baseball this season. … Duffey will have had seven days off between starts. … Hughes, 8-7 with a 4.33 ERA in his career against the Tigers, will make his first start since Aug. 9.
PHIL MILLER
