Twins-Tigers: Verlander-Albers, who ya got?

I've seen this maneuver in a few cities, but Detroit leads the USA.

It's when the driver suddenly realizes that his/her exit ramp is coming up in 1/16th of a mile - and he/she is in the far left lane.

No problem. With a quick turn of the wheel, the car is launched across three, four, five lanes in time to catch that elusive exit ramp (who knows when the next exit is coming up in a town as tiny as Detroit). Meanwhile, the other drivers on the freeway must accommodate such automotive bravado

The name for this maneuver: The Detroit Sweep. It happened to me last night on the way back from the game. ``What took you so long, Detroit?" I said to myself,

I expected to see a Detroit Sweep on the highways this week and wondered about one at Comerica Park, where the beat up and overmatched Twins are facing the division champion Tigers. But the Twins managed to win the first game on Tuesday. Can they win today and actually take the three-game series?

Tigers ace Justin Verlander is on the mound, so a tough task awaits.

Can rookie lefty Andrew Albers pitch like he did during his 17.1 introductory innings and not like he did on Saturday against the White Sox?

These questions will be answered over the next few hours as the Twins and Tigers wrap up their series here before the Twins jump on a bus to Cleveland.

UPDATES

Righthander Liam Hendriks has been named the starter on Saturday in Cleveland.

Oswaldo Arcia took some swings this morning. ``It's better. When I tried to pull I felt some pain," he said. The Twins must decide if they can wait a few more days for Arcia to fully recover or place him on the DL.

Joe Mauer was not in the clubhouse as of 11:50 p.m. EST. The doctor wasn't expected at the park until around noon, so Mauer might have timed his arrival for game time. There's a plane ticket back to the Twin Cities waiting for him, provided that he is cleared to fly home. The clubhouse is now closed, so Mauer might arrive then leave for the airport before we get a chance to talk to him.

Twins (55-70)

1. Brian Dozier, 2B
2. Chris Herrmann, C
3. Justin Morneau, 1B
4. Josh Willingham, DH
5. Ryan Doumit, RF
6. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
7. Clete Thomas, CF
8. Wilkin Ramirez, LF
9. Doug Bernier, SS

Pitching: Andrew Albers, LHP

Tigers (74-52)

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Torii, RF
3. Miggy, 3B
4. Prince, 1B
5. V-Mart, DH
6. Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
7. Omar Infante, 2B
8. Jose Iglesias, SS
9. Bryan Holaday, C