Kevin Slowey (2-0, 4.94) vs. 
Andrew Miller (3-1, 2.70), 3:55 p.m. EST
Following up a night game with an afternoon game can't be too bad if it helps the Tigers forget about last night's @$$-kicking that much faster. (In the meantime, we can all contemplate Twinkie Town's recap, which invokes chaos theory.) Detroit's nursing something of a slump at home, having lost five of its last six games.
Slowey has been pretty good since Minnesota called him up at the beginning of June. He was roughed up in his last two starts, but the Twins' lineup bailed him out of losses both times. (And we saw last night just how potent they can be - especially when walks and errors keep giving them chances.) Bringing up Matt Garza from Triple-A Rochester on Thursday might be something of a warning to Slowey, however.
This will be Miller's first start against an American League team this season, so we'll get to see how he fares against a lineup using the DH. Miller pitched in relief against Minnesota last September, and in 2/3 of an inning, the Twins hung three runs (one earned) on him.
Remember, Gary Sheffield will not be in the lineup today, as he serves his two-game suspension. So Marcus Thames will be the DH, and Sean Casey will be batting third in the lineup today. Also, Omar Infante will start at third base, presumably for the still back spasm-plagued Brandon Inge.
Short Hops:
▪▪ Did you notice Troy Percival winning the game for St. Louis last night? (He was clocked at 94 m.p.h., by the way.) The Daily Fungo wonders why Detroit didn't go after him harder.
▪▪ Billfer takes a closer look at Andrew Miller's start last Sunday through the lens of enhanced gameday data.
▪▪ Roman Colon has been charged with felonious assault. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison. Colon could be a great addition to any California Penal League pitching staff. Or maybe he and Ugueth Urbina can become pen pals.