The Detroit Tigers (63-92) and their weakest lineup in the league are set to host the Minnesota Twins (76-80) at Comerica Park on Friday to open a three-game series. The Twins are embarking on a six-game road trip after wrapping up a six-game homestand (3-3). They won two out of three in their last series against the White Sox, dropping the finale 4-3 on Thursday at Target Field. Luis Arraez was 2 for 4 with one run. The Tigers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Royals, taking the finale 10-3 on Thursday at Comerica Park for their sixth straight win. Willi Castro went 2 for 2 with a solo home run and a double. Tucker Barnhart went 3 for 3 with a double, one run, and two RBIs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Twins have won 10 of 16 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting on August 3 at Target Field. Starter Joe Ryan went five innings for the win, allowing one run on three hits and striking out nine, and Jorge Lopez earned his 20th save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Ryan (12-8, 3.70 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Minnesota. The RHP allowed three runs over four innings in his last start, an 8-4 road win over the Angels on Saturday. He gave up four hits while striking out five and walking three in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Tigers this season, Ryan has allowed only two earned runs over 17.2 innings (3-0, 1.02). He has struck out 25 and walked two. RHP Drew Hutchison (3-9, 4.54 ERA) gets the ball for Detroit. He has made one prior appearance against the Twins this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over one inning in a 5-0 road defeat on April 27. He didn’t give up a hit while walking two in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, Hutchison got the win on the road against the White Sox. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on four hits, striking out one and walking two in the 7-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Minnesota offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .249/.317/.403. Carlos Correa leads the team in OPS at .826. The shortstop is slashing .287/.363/.463 with 21 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 69 runs over 131 games. Against righties like Hutchison this season, the Twins have a .726 OPS. Arraez is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .816 OPS in 423 at-bats. Detroit is slashing .230/.286/.344 for the season and averaging 3.4 runs per game, lowest in the league. Javier Baez leads the team with a .669 OPS. The shortstop has 16 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 62 runs scored with a slash line of .239/.280/.390. Detroit is averaging 5.4 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.293/.346/.437). The Tigers have a .602 OPS against right-handers in 2022, lowest in MLB. With a .610 OPS over 400 at-bats, Baez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 30-45 in 2022. The Twins have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs. Detroit has won three in a row at Comerica Park. The Tigers are 33-45 at home this season, averaging 3.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park, Detroit is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.0-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins are second in the AL Central, 11 games behind the division-leading Guardians. They are fifth in the Wild Card race, eight games out of third. The Tigers are fifth in the AL Central, 24 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-145)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
