The Detroit Tigers (27-39) and their low-scoring offense face a tough test against Sonny Gray, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, when they take on the Minnesota Twins (35-33) at Target Field on Thursday for the first of a four-game series.
The Tigers are heading on the road after a tough six-game homestand (1-5). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Braves, ending the series by dropping both games of a doubleheader on Wednesday at Comerica Park.
They followed up a 10-7 loss in the opener with a 6-5 defeat in the second leg. Jonathan Schoop was 1 for 1 with one run in the finale. The Twins are in the midst of a 10-game homestand.
They are coming off a two-game sweep of the Brewers, taking the finale 4-2 on Wednesday at Target Field. Carlos Correa went 1 for 3 with a triple, one run, and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Twins won the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (11-8), although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Comerica Park at the end of September.
ON THE MOUND
Matthew Boyd (3-5, 5.55 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Detroit. The southpaw allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 5-0 road defeat against the Diamondbacks on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, yielding six hits while striking out three and walking two.
Righty Gray (4-1, 2.25 ERA) will toe the rubber for Minnesota. Gray made two appearances against the Tigers in 2022, both as the starter, striking out 17 and walking two over 13 innings (2-0, 0.69).
In his last start on Friday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw five innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out five and walking two in the 3-2 victory. The RHP ranks third in the AL in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
The Detroit offense is averaging 3.7 runs per game for the season, the second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of ././. Riley Greene leads the team in OPS at .805. The center fielder is slashing .296/.362/.443 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, and 29 runs over 52 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the Tigers have a .642 OPS, the lowest in MLB. Greene also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .834 OPS in 155 at-bats.
Minnesota is slashing .233/.313/.404 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Byron Buxton leads the team with a .771 OPS. The center fielder has 10 home runs, 23 RBIs, and 31 runs scored with a slash line of .220/.325/.445.
Minnesota is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.269/.339/.497). The Twins have a .678 OPS against lefties in 2023, the fourth lowest in the league. With a .829 OPS over 53 at-bats, Donovan Solano has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is on a six-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 12-21 in 2023. The Tigers have scored 3.2 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.5 runs.
Minnesota has gone 20-14 at Target Field this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games at Target Field between the teams, Minnesota is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Guardians. The Tigers are fourth in the AL Central, five games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
