Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins Baseball Preview
The Minnesota Twins host the Detroit Tigers with top spot in the AL Central on the line. This is the second of a three-game series; the first pitch is at 8 PM ET.
The Detroit Tigers (41-34, 16-23 away) took the first game 7-5 and seized a half-game lead over the Twins in the AL Central. They paid a steep price for the victory as set up man Joel Zumaya left the game in visible distress after injuring his arm on a pitch. The exact diagnosis is not yet known, but he is likely done for the season.
The Minnesota Twins (41-35, 23-14 home) are 10-15 in June and have lost 8-of-11 largely due to their struggling pitching rotation. The rotation has a collective 7.43 ERA in the last 11 games.
One of those struggling pitchers gets the start tonight for the Twins as they send Nick Blackburn (6-5, 6.10 ERA) to the mound. Blackburn has a 12.05 ERA five June starts going 0-4 in that time. This comes after a phenomenal May where he posted a 2.65 ERA while winning five of five starts.
Detroit will be starting Armando Galarraga (3-1, 3.68 ERA). The right-hander hasn’t let the blown umpire’s call that robbed him of a perfect game affect his game. He is 2-0 in five June starts with a 3.38 ERA.
