Tigers and Twins set to begin four game series

September 28, 9:46 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are both aiming for the postseason, and this week they will turn the cannons on each other as they begin a four game series that will run from tonight until Thursday.  The Tigers currently hold a two-game lead over the Twins in the American League Central, but that could be in jeopardy this week.  Here’s a closer look at the four-game matchup:

Game One Starters: Nick Blackburn (MIN) at Rick Porcello (DET): Porcello has come up huge for the Tigers in his rookie season, and they’ll need him again in game one of this series.  The Tigers number two starter (Edwin Jackson) won’t pitch in any of these four games, so Porcello will have to step up as the defacto number two. 

Bats to Watch: Miguel Cabrera has a .385 batting average and six RBI against Blackburn for his career.  Clete Thomas has had good success (.500 avg., 1 HR, 4 RBI) facing Blackburn in his young career as well.  Twins DH Jason Kubel has torched Porcello this year for 7 hits in 8 at-bats.  Outfielder Delmon Young is 3-7 with 2 RBI against the Tigers rookie hurler.

Game Two Starters: Brian Duensing (MIN) at Justin Verlander (DET): Duensing has had an excellent September (3-0, 1.74 ERA), but Verlander is the superior pitcher.  You’ve got to figure that Detroit’s right-handed bats (Cabrera, Ordonez, and Thames) should be able to touch the young Minnesota lefty for a few runs – but which Verlander is going to show up?

Bats to Watch: Rookie Tigers catcher Alex Avila touched Duensing for a two-RBI double, and starting catcher Gerald Laird took him deep – but there isn’t much else telling in the stats so far.  Twins catcher Joe Mauer has a .394 average against Verlander, with three homers and eight RBI.  Kubel is the next best at .318 and five RBI against the Tigers ace.

Game Three Starters: Carl Pavano (MIN) at Eddie Bonine (DET): The much-maligned Pavano has been a Tiger killer this season (4-0, 1.69 ERA in 5 starts).  Bonine has filled in admirably as a starter in 2009, but the way Pavano has shut down Detroit this season almost guarantees them a victory in game three.

Bats to Watch:  Centerfielder Curtis Granderson has a .333 average against Pavano, but no power numbers.  Tigers DH Aubrey Huff has one homer and five RBI, which tops the Tigers power numbers against the Twins game three starter.  In a very small sample size (two at-bats), Mauer has two RBI against Bonine and outfielder Carlos Gomez has touched him for a double.

Game Four Starters: Scott Baker (MIN) at Nate Robertson (DET): Baker is the Twins ace, and Robertson is the crafty veteran starter making the most of a second chance.  Tigers manager Jim Leyland pegged Robertson to start two game one’s in the 2006 playoffs, and he’ll need his bulldog mentality against Baker, who is likely to step up as well. 

Bats to Watch: Magglio Ordonez has a .444 career average against Baker, with two homers and six RBI.  On the power front, Marcus Thames has taken Baker deep four times.  Against Robertson shortstop Orlando Cabrera sports a .429 batting average, and infielder Brendan Harris is hitting .368 with two homers and four RBI.

My Predictions
Game One: Tigers 5, Twins 4
Game Two: Tigers 6, Twins 3
Game Three: Twins 8, Tigers 2
Game Four: Twins 6, Tigers 5