Jun 18, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) records an unassisted putout of Minnesota Twins designated hitter Edouard Julien (47) during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins are set to play a four-game series this weekend, with a change in the schedule due to a postponement of the Thursday afternoon game. The series between Tigers and Twins will now start on Friday night, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, and concluding on Sunday afternoon.
Detroit Tigers: Homestand and Pitching Staff
During an eight-game homestand, Detroit will face the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. Despite having an off-day on Wednesday, the Tigers’ pitching staff will be busy over the next two weeks with 14 games scheduled in 13 days.
Detroit Tigers: Season Start and Division Rivals
The Twins, who have an off-day on Thursday, will host Detroit next weekend. Last season, the Tigers had a 35-17 record against division rivals Twins, Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox, finishing in second place. Detroit started this season with a three-game road sweep of the White Sox.
Tarik Skubal: Pitching Performance
The team originally set Tarik Skubal, who has a record of 1-0 and an ERA of 2.92, to start on Thursday, but he will likely pitch on Friday instead. In the Tigers’ season opener, he pitched six scoreless innings against the White Sox, allowing only three hits.
Although Skubal failed to maintain a three-run lead in the home opener against Oakland, he ultimately helped the Tigers secure a 5-4 victory. He was charged with four runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Throughout his career, Skubal has made nine starts against the Twins, holding a record of 2-3 with a 3.91 ERA.
Pablo Lopez: Pitching Performance
It is probable that he will face off against Pablo Lopez (1-1, 2.84) in his third start. Lopez allowed only one run in seven innings against Kansas City in his first start of the season, but gave up four runs (three earned) in 5 2/3 innings against Cleveland last Thursday.
Lopez has a record of 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in two previous starts against the Tigers. Detroit broke a three-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday, scoring four runs in the ninth inning against Pirates closer David Bednar.
Team Morale and Recent Performances
“It’s big to stop the skid like that,” said outfielder Kerry Carpenter, who delivered the tiebreaking hit. “It gives us a little more confidence going into the off day ahead of the series against the division champs.”
Minnesota ended a four-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The Twins’ offense has been struggling, but there are signs of improvement. In the final game of a three-game series, Minnesota managed to get six hits and draw five walks.
Player Perspectives
“We needed that win,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “It’s a tough team on the other side. You can’t be giving them any extra outs, and you’ve got to try to finish every play. We did just that.”
Leadoff hitter Edouard Julien, who had only three hits entering the game, hit a pair of solo homers and also scored the team’s other run.
“I just knew that if I kept being positive, it’s going to come,” Julien said. “I just don’t feel like I’d hit like that for a while and I have confidence in myself and I knew at some point I was going to start hitting.”
Upcoming Pitching Matchups
The Twins expect Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober to start in Saturday’s doubleheader. In response, the Tigers might play Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty, but they could also bring up Matt Manning from Triple-A Toledo for a spot start.
