Twins-Detroit series preview

FOUR-GAME SERIES: at Comerica Park

Thursday 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

LHP Adalberto Mejia (4-6, 4.62 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-12, 6.18)

Friday 6:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Kyle Gibson (11-10, 5.07) vs. TBA

Saturday 5:10 p.m. • FSN, 96.3-FM

RHP Ervin Santana (15-8, 3.34) vs. LHP Matthew Boyd (6-10, 5.33)

RHP Jose Berrios (12-8, 3.94) vs. RHP Buck Farmer (4-4, 7.11)

TWINS UPDATE

They have lost five of their past six games and are 8-11 in September. But they remain in possession of a wild-card spot with 10 games remaining in the season. … They need four victories to become the first team since the 1989 Orioles to post a winning record one season after losing 100 games. … They are 39-35 on the road and 3-3 in Detroit this year. They are 5-7 against the Tigers, and close the season with three games against them at Target Field next weekend. … Sunday's game begins at 12:10 Eastern time, in order to reduce traffic congestion because of a 1 p.m. NFL game at Ford Field, across the street from Comerica Park. … Byron Buxton remains one stolen base shy of the Twins' record for longest successful streak: 22 consecutive steals, set by Chuck Knoblauch in 1994 and tied by Matt Lawton in 2000. … Joe Mauer has 13 career home runs in Comerica Park, most of any park outside Minnesota, and seventh most among the park's visiting players.

They are 11-33 since Aug. 5 and 4-16 in September. … They are 1.5 games ahead of the White Sox and in danger of finishing last in the AL Central for the second time in three seasons. … They are 34-43 at home and 3-11 in September. This is their final home series of the season. … RF Nick Castellanos, Detroit's third baseman until the Tigers traded J.D. Martinez to Arizona, is one of the game's hottest hitters; he's batting .420 with six homers and 11 doubles since Aug. 28. His 10 triples lead the AL. … Matt Boyd came within one out of pitching a no-hitter last Sunday in Chicago. … 1B Miguel Cabrera, a four-time batting champion, is batting a career-low .249 with only 16 homers, his fewest since 2003, when he played only 87 games. His 41 career home runs against the Twins lead all active players. … They are without RHP Michael Fulmer (elbow) and DH Victor Martinez (irregular heartbeat). … Manager Brad Ausmus, 312-323 in four seasons with Detroit, is widely considered likely to be fired once the season concludes.