GDT: 9/18/09 - DET (78-68) AT MIN (74-72) - 8:10 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- This is where the Tiger meets the road, so to speak.

For almost the entire 2009 season, the Tigers have stayed on top of the American League Central in spite of their road record, while building their division lead at home. They went nearly three months without gaining ground on a road trip until their 3-3 West Coast trek to Oakland and Anaheim bumped up their lead by two games. Detroit's split-even trip to St. Petersburg and Kansas City gained the club a half-game a couple of weeks ago, even as it did next to nothing to improve its 30-42 road record that ranks among the bottom half of the AL.

The Tigers can't hide their road struggles anymore. If they're going to make it to the postseason, they'll have to overcome them.

It isn't just that their upcoming trip consists of nine games over 10 days in three cities. It's that all three opponents are in the AL Central. The much-anticipated three-game showdown with the second-place Twins is only the start, followed by three games at Cleveland -- where the Indians took two out of three from the Tigers six weeks ago -- and three in Chicago against the third-place White Sox, who still have a mathematical shot at making a run down the stretch. That's why Detroit's magic number of 13 doesn't mean much right now.

By the time the Tigers return home to start their final homestand on Sept. 28, they should have a pretty good idea about their October plans. A respectable road trip, not even a great one, likely would send them home with a chance to clinch their first division title since 1987.

"There's nothing to be concerned about," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "You either play good enough or you don't. There's no sense sitting around talking about it. Because the fact of the matter is, the Minnesota Twins lost [Justin] Morneau for the year. They lost [Joe] Crede. Everybody's had their injuries and problems, so there's no excuses. You either go out and play good enough or you don't. And I think we will."

Morneau is out for the year with a back injury, as is noted Tiger killer Crede.

Considering they've lost a 13-inning game and won a 16-inning game at the Metrodome this year, and two of their other losses there have been one-run decisions, they've played slightly better at Minnesota than their 1-5 record might indicate. Three of those losses went to Detroit's bullpen.

The problem is that wins and losses are all that matter in the standings. And after dropping 2 1/2 games off their lead over the Twins in the past week and a half, they need wins.

A series loss, even a series sweep, isn't as devastating to Detroit as it would be to Minnesota. Losing two of three would leave the Tigers with a three-game lead. A sweep, on the other hand, would turn this race into a two-week scrum.

"It's a big series for everybody," Leyland said. "Obviously, it's a big series for us, because we're trying to keep them from catching us. It's a big series for them, because they're trying to catch us. It's a big series for the White Sox, because they're eyeballing us."

Whether that weighs on Detroit is a good question without a firm answer. Leyland believes the Tigers' postseason experience means they shouldn't be tight, but he suggested to ask the players. The players suggested they weren't tight, especially since rookie hazing took place on Thursday, but it's tough to say.

"I know everybody's trying," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "Maybe they're trying too hard. I don't think guys are too tight."

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Pitching matchup

DET: RHP Rick Porcello (13-8, 4.21 ERA)
Not only did Porcello's six quality innings of two-run ball Sunday make him the first Major League pitcher with a 13-win season before his 21st birthday since Dwight Gooden in 1985, it continued his late-season roll at a time when many expected the 20-year-old to be running out of energy. He's 4-1 with a 3.40 ERA in nine starts since the start of August, and he's becoming more of a power pitcher, with a fastball that tops out at 96 mph on the Comerica Park radar gun. By using the heater to set up his sinker, Porcello is giving hitters a different look, and they're struggling to adjust.


MIN: LHP Brian Duensing (3-1, 3.53 ERA)
Duensing continued to impress since joining the Twins' rotation, holding the A's scoreless for seven innings in his last outing. The left-hander scattered eight hits while striking out six. It was the third time in his six starts for the Twins that he has lasted seven innings. Since joining the rotation full-time on Aug. 22, Duensing is 3-0 with a 1.74 ERA in five starts. He has not allowed a home run in any of those starts. Duensing will next face the White Sox. He is 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four appearances (two starts) vs. Chicago this season.

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Tidbits

... Don't expect the Tigers to get sentimental about their final series at the Metrodome before the Twins move into Target Field next year. "I won't miss anything about the Metrodome," Leyland said. Detroit owns an 82-111 record all-time there.
... Nate Robertson threw a full bullpen session without discomfort Thursday and is now set to start Sunday's series finale.
... Miguel Cabrera hit his 30th home run of the season Thursday, making him the first player to post back-to-back 30-homer seasons as a Tiger in the Comerica Park era. Tony Clark was the last to repeat the mark in 1998 and '99.
... Alfredo Figaro's seventh-inning strikeout of Yuniesky Betancourt on Thursday marked the 1,000th strikeout from Tigers pitching this season, the third time in four years Detroit has reached that mark. The Tigers went 34 years without a 1,000-strikeout season from 1972-2005.

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Up next (Probable Pitchers)

• Saturday: Tigers (Justin Verlander, 16-8, 3.34 ERA) at Twins (Carl Pavano, 12-11, 4.91 ERA), 4:10 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Tigers (Nate Robertson, 1-2, 5.35 ERA) at Twins (Scott Baker, 13-8, 4.35 ERA), 2:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day

STARTING LINEUPS:

TIGERS

1. Raburn, LF
   
2. Polanco, 2B
   
3. Ordonez, RF
   
4. Cabrera, 1B
   
5. Thames, DH
   
6. Inge, 3B
   
7. Granderson, CF
   
8. Laird, C
   
9. Everett, SS
   

P: Rick Porcello

TWINS

1. Denard Span, CF
   
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
   
3. Joe Mauer, C
   
4. Jason Kubel, RF
   
5. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
   
6. Delmon Young, LF
   
7. Jose Morales, DH
   
8. Matt Tolbert, 3B
   
9. Nick Punto, 2B
   

P: Brian Duensing

with porcello starting outlook good. I'm really sorry about last night - I like Jackson - think he's respectable and somehow sometimes the support isn't there for him.

You have got to be frickin kidding me!!!!!! No Carlos again??????????????????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Pudgerocks wrote:

You have got to be frickin kidding me!!!!!! No Carlos again??????????????????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Even after he said he will switch hit. (Which he has tried doing lately!) (See Carlos player news)

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Pudgerocks wrote:

You have got to be frickin kidding me!!!!!! No Carlos again??????????????????? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Even after he said he will switch hit. (Which he has tried doing lately!) (See Carlos player news)

I saw that post too. Where did all these frickin frackin lefties come from all of the sudden???????? I am starting the official "Leyland is a Dork" campaign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inning 1
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn pops out to second baseman Nick Punto in foul territory.

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:2 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.
Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Denard Span grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Orlando Cabrera flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Joe Mauer walks.

B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Jason Kubel flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

0-0 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Marcus Thames grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:0 O:3 -
Brandon Inge flies out to center fielder Denard Span.
Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer pops out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Delmon Young singles on a ground ball to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:0 S:2 O:2 -
Jose Morales flies out to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Matt Tolbert grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Curtis Granderson singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Gerald Laird grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer. Curtis Granderson to 2nd.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Adam Everett swinging.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

0-0 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Nick Punto grounds out, third baseman Brandon Inge to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Denard Span pops out to third baseman Brandon Inge.

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Orlando Cabrera grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

0-0 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Placido Polanco grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Magglio Ordonez grounds out, shortstop Orlando Cabrera to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.

0-0 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Joe Mauer grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Jason Kubel singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer homers (27) on a fly ball to left field. Jason Kubel scores.
MIN 2, DET 0

B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Delmon Young grounds out, shortstop Adam Everett to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Jose Morales singles on a line drive to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

B:0 S:0 O:2 - Matt Tolbert singles on a sharp ground
ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn, deflected by third baseman Brandon
Inge. Jose Morales to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Nick Punto lines out to shortstop Adam Everett.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:2 S:2 O:0 -
Marcus Thames doubles (11) on a line drive to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Brandon Inge flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel in foul territory. Marcus Thames to 3rd.

B:2 S:2 O:2 - Curtis Granderson pops out to shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird pops out to second baseman Nick Punto.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Denard Span singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn.

B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Orlando Cabrera flies out to center fielder Curtis Granderson.

B:0 S:1 O:3 - Joe Mauer grounds into double play,
second baseman Placido Polanco to shortstop Adam Everett to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Denard Span out at 2nd.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Adam Everett flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Placido Polanco walks.

B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Magglio Ordonez flies out to right fielder Jason Kubel.

MIN 2, DET 0 after 5.5 innings

Rick needs run support now! Darn it Tigers!

Hmm,

Nice outing so far, Rick. Sorry our bats can't do anything.

Bottom Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Jason Kubel doubles (31) on a fly ball to right fielder Magglio Ordonez.
B:2 S:3 O:1 -
Michael Cuddyer swinging.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Delmon Young doubles (13) on a ground ball to left fielder Ryan Raburn. Jason Kubel scores.
MIN 3, DET 0


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Jose Morales grounds out, second baseman Placido Polanco to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Delmon Young to 3rd.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Matt Tolbert grounds out, first baseman Miguel Cabrera to pitcher Rick Porcello.

MIN 3, DET 0 after 6 innings

gdennis59 wrote:

Hmm,

Nice outing so far, Rick. Sorry our bats can't do anything.

Yep. hope the guys get hot bats, or there will be some changes this winter!!!

most definitely.

Inning 7
Top Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera grounds out, third baseman Matt Tolbert to first baseman Michael Cuddyer.


B:2 S:2 O:1 -
Marcus Thames singles on a ground ball to third baseman Matt Tolbert.

B:3 S:1 O:1 - Brandon Inge singles on a soft ground
ball to first baseman Michael Cuddyer, deflected by pitcher Brian
Duensing. Marcus Thames to 2nd.

B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.

B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Jose Mijares replaces Brian Duensing.

Whoo, 2 on, one out, let's get something here!

B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Curtis Granderson flies out to center fielder Denard Span.

B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Gerald Laird pops out to first baseman Michael Cuddyer in foul territory.

MIN 3, DET 0 after 6.5 innings

Definitely would have been the time to PH for Laird.