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Detroit Tigers AT Minnesota TwinsSaturday, August 27, 2011
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN
Game Time - 4:10 p.m. EDT
REMEMBERING SPARKYThe Tigers are wearing a patch on their right
sleeves this season in the shape of a home
plate emblazoned with the name SPARKY, to
honor Hall of Fame manager Sparky
Anderson who passed away on November 4,
2010. Anderson’s number 11 was retired
in a pre-game ceremony on June 26.
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Preview Verlander eyes 20th victory against rival TwinsBy Cash Kruth / MLB.com | 8/27/2011 12:10 AM ET
Justin Verlander has accomplished much in his short career.
He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award while leading the Tigers to a surprising World Series berth in 2006. He's been a four-time All-Star and, at only 28 years old, has already thrown two no-hitters, including one earlier this season.
Verlander is in prime position to cross two more goals off his list this season: win 20 games and capture the AL Cy Young Award. Already the leading Cy Young candidate this season, Verlander can further support his case on Saturday as he goes for win No. 20 against the Twins at Target Field.
"It's something that will be nice to look at, at the end of the season," Verlander said of No. 20. "But not right now, there's just too much other stuff going on. We're trying to win a championship here. Hopefully it's just another start and another win for the time."
The game should provide Verlander a good opportunity to hit the mark. The right-hander has stymied the Twins this season, holding them to one run in eight innings on July 21 before tossing 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball against them on Aug. 16.
As the Tigers prepare for their second in a stretch of 19 straight games against the AL Central, they'll continue to a play a historically good team but one that has seen its struggles this season. At 21 games below .500, the Twins are more than 20 games below .500 for the first time since they finished the 2000 season 69-93.
"It's something new for us. We've been in the position to buy the last few years," catcher Joe Mauer said. "This is new. If you ask anybody in here, it's not a good new feeling. We've had a rough year. We've got to make changes and do different things to have a better next year."
Tigers: Leyland on VerlanderTigers manager Jim Leyland has managed two 20-game winners, Doug Drabek and John Smiley. Leyland has called Verlander the best pitcher he's managed and he's looking forward to whenever Verlander hits 20.
"He's tremendous, what else can I say?" Leyland said. "He's the best pitcher I've ever had. He's having a tremendous season. He's a tremendous pitcher on a tremendous roll. I hope he gets about 24 or 25. That would be music to my ears."
• With his next save opportunity, not only will Jose Valverde be going for his 38th consecutive save, but it also will be the 500th game of his career. With that appearance, he will become the 18th pitcher born in the Dominican Republic to appear in 500 games at the Major League level.
Twins: Pavano on the bumpTrying to reverse Minnesota's woes is Carl Pavano, who hasn't won since July 7. However, the right-hander posted a 2.76 ERA in his last four starts, working into the seventh inning in each of his last four outings. He last faced Detroit on Aug. 17, allowing three runs in seven innings.
• Trevor Plouffe has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, batting .308 with four doubles during that stretch.
Worth noting• The Tigers have won 14 of their last 17 against the Twins.
• Detroit's Jhonny Peralta is hitting .397 with three doubles, five home runs and 16 RBIs in 15 games at Target Field.
• Twins closer Joe Nathan is a perfect 33-for-33 in save opportunities against the Tigers in his career.
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Pitching matchup
Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (19-5, 2.28 ERA)Verlander's next victory would make him Detroit's first 20-game winner since Bill Gullickson in 1991. A win on Saturday would make him the first Major League pitcher with 20 wins by the end of August since Curt Schilling in 2002.
Twins: RHP Carl Pavano (6-10, 4.54 ERA)Pavano turned in a decent outing vs. the O's on Monday, surrendering four runs on nine hits -- including two homers -- and two walks over seven innings. But he remained winless over his past eight outings dating back to his last win on July 7.
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Tiger's MLB Game Notes
Game Information
RECENT RESULTS: The Tigers knocked off the Twins 8-1 last night. Rick Porcello (12-8) earned the win for Detroit, limiting the Twins to one run in 6.1 innings of work. Victor Martinez finished with a single, double and four RBI for the Tigers, while Delmon Young added three hits and three RBI. The Tigers continue a seven-game road trip today with the second game of a three-game series at Minnesota. Following tomorrow afternoon’s game, the club returns home for a seven-game homestand with Kansas City and Chicago beginning on Monday evening.
CENTRAL FOCUS: Today’s game at Minnesota marks the second game in a stretch in which the Tigers play 19 straight games against opponents in the American League Central Division. Of Detroit’s final 31 games of the season, 23 are versus teams in the American League Central Division. The Tigers are 31-18 against clubs from the American League Central Division this season, a .633 winning percentage. Detroit is tops among all American League clubs with the .633 winning percentage against the division.
RECENT ROAD SUCCESS: The Tigers enter today’s game at Minnesota having won 17 of the club’s last 26 games on the road dating back to July 6. Detroit is second among all American League clubs with a .654 winning on the road during that stretch.
WINNING WAYS VERSUS MINNESOTA: The Tigers enter this afternoon’s game having won 14 of the club’s last 17 games against the Twins dating back to September 2, 2010.
JHONNY ON THE SPOT AT TARGET FIELD: Jhonny Peralta enters this afternoon’s game at Minnesota hitting .397 (23x58) with three doubles, five home runs and 16 RBI in 15 games during his career at Target Field.
VALVERDE’S CONVERTING SAVES: Jose Valverde converted his 38th consecutive save to begin the season on Thursday at Tampa Bay. His 38 straight saves converted is the longest such streak during a single season in Tigers history. His streak surpasses Guillermo Hernandez who converted 32 straight save opportunities April 6-September 23, 1984.
AVILA’S AWESOME AUGUST: Alex Avila enters today’s game hitting .403 (29x72) with six doubles, a triple, six home runs and 16 RBI in 21 games during August. He is tops among American League players with a .511 on-base percentage and .764 slugging percentage during the month, while he is second with a .403 batting average.
BULLISH BEHAVIOR: Tigers relievers have compiled a 1.47 ERA (67.1IP/11ER) and 69 strikeouts over the club’s last 21 games dating back to August 4. During the 21-game stretch, club relievers have limited opponents to a .186 batting average (43x231).
VALVERDE CLOSES IN ON 500 APPEARANCES: Jose Valverde enters today’s game at Minnesota with 499 appearances during his career. He will become the 18th pitcher born in the Dominican Republic to appear in 500 games at the major league level.MARTINEZ COMES THROUGH WITH RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION: Victor Martinez is hitting .486 (18x37) with runners in scoring position for the Tigers dating back to July 17. He enters today’s game against the Twins tops in the American League with a .402 batting average with runners in scoring position.
BENOIT ON THE BALL: Joaquin Benoit enters this afternoon’s game with a 2-0 record, 1.78 ERA (35.1IP/7ER), two saves and 35 strikeouts over his last 39 outings dating back to May 20. He has limited opponents to a .200 batting average (24x120) during the stretch.
RESCHEDULED GAMES: The following is the information on the rescheduled Tigers games postponed at Comerica Park this season:
-
Thursday, September 1 versus Kansas City at 1:05 p.m. (rescheduled from May 15)
INJURY UPDATE: •
INF Carlos Guillen (sore left wrist,
15-day disabled list on August 13),
•
RHP Al Alburquerque (concussion,
15-day disabled list on August 12).
•
RHP Joel Zumaya (right elbow olecranon fracture surgery,
60-day disabled list on March 30).
•
LHP Brad Thomas (left elbow inflammation,
60-day DL on May 11)
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• Gameday
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On television •
FOX• Direct TV Extra Innings Schedule
On radio•
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• XM Channel Schedule
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Up next (Probable Pitchers)
• Sunday, August 28: Tigers (RHP
Brad Penny (9-9, 4.82 ERA))
AT Twins (LHP
Brian Duensing (8-13, 5.12 ERA)),
2:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Monday, August 29: Tigers (RHP
Max Scherzer (13-7, 4.21 ERA))
VS Royals (RHP
Luke Hochevar (8-10, 4.91 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Tuesday, August 30: Tigers (RHP
Doug Fister (6-13, 3.35 ERA))
VS Royals (LHP
Jeff Francis (5-14, 4.82 ERA)),
7:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)• Wednesday, August 31: Tigers (RHP
Rick Porcello (12-8, 5.01 ERA))
VS Royals (RHP
Felipe Paulino (2-6, 3.83 ERA)),
1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)