The Minnesota Twins (36-35) host the Detroit Tigers (29-40) at Target Field on Sunday with the home team eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Twins won 2-0 on Saturday for their first win of the series. Reliever Brent Headrick threw 2.1 scoreless innings to get the win, and Jhoan Duran picked up his ninth save with a scoreless ninth.
Willi Castro went 1 for 2 with one run in the win. Zach McKinstry was 1 for 1 for the Tigers.
ON THE MOUND
Right-hander Louie Varland (3-2, 4.70 ERA) gets the start for Minnesota. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Tigers. In his last start on June 11, Varland took a no-decision on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out six and walking two in the 7-6 loss.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Detroit has averaged 5.4 runs a game, up from their season average of 3.7, while performing better across the board (.263/.311/.480). Against righties like Varland this season, the Tigers have a .653 OPS, third highest in MLB.
Riley Greene is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .834 OPS in 155 at-bats. Minnesota is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.3 for the season.
HOME AND AWAY
Detroit is 14-22 away from Comerica Park in 2023, scoring 3.3 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Minnesota has gone 21-16 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. Minnesota is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals at Target Field with an average scoreline of 3.5-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Twins lead the AL Central by two games over the Guardians. The Tigers are third in the AL Central, five games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Minnesota Twins
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
