The Detroit Tigers (32-42) host the Minnesota Twins (39-38) at Comerica Park on Saturday. The Twins took Friday’s series opener 4-1, their second head-to-head victory in five games this season.
Kenta Maeda threw five scoreless innings – striking out eight – to get the win, and Jhoan Duran struck out the side in the ninth to earn his 10th save.
Max Kepler was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Andy Ibanez went 2 for 2 with a double and one run for the Tigers.
ON THE MOUND
Pablo Lopez (3-4, 4.40 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Minnesota. The righty ranks third in the AL in strikeouts (110). Lopez allowed five runs (four earned) over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 9-3 home defeat against the Red Sox on Monday.
He took the loss, yielding six hits while striking out nine and walking three. Righty Reese Olson (0-2, 5.59 ERA) is on the mound for Detroit. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Twins.
In his last start on Monday, Olson took a no-decision at home against the Royals. He threw six innings and gave up four runs (3 ER) on six hits, striking out eight and walking one in the 6-4 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Minnesota has averaged 4.4 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against righties like Olson this season, the Twins have a .728 OPS. Byron Buxton is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .836 OPS in 161 at-bats.
Detroit is averaging 4.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.8 for the season. The Tigers have a .658 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the second lowest in MLB. With a .834 OPS over 155 at-bats, Riley Greene has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Minnesota is 16-19 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 3.7 runs. Detroit has gone 17-20 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.1 runs per game while surrendering 5.1.
In the last 10 meetings at Comerica Park, each club has won five, though Minnesota has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.2-2.8.
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 (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
