Detroit Tigers (18-18) at Minnesota Twins (12-21)
Probable Pitchers:
Tuesday May 10, 8:10p: RHP Rick Porcello (2-2, 3.93) vs. LHP Francisco Liriano (2-4, 6.61)
DET - Rick Porcello (2-3, 2,76, 14 BB, 24 K vs. Minnesota)
Hitter to Fear: Jason Kubel (.500, 3 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI vs. Porcello)
Hitter to Fail: Michael Cuddyer (.118, 4 K vs. Porcello)
MIN - Francisco Liriano (4-4, 4.79, 19 BB, 92 K vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Magglio Ordonez (.385, 2 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI vs. Liriano)
Hitter to Fail: Brandon Inge (.129, 16 K vs. Liriano)
Wednesday May 11, 1:10p: LHP Phil Coke (1-5, 4.74) vs. Scott Baker (2-2, 2.97)
DET - Phil Coke (0-1, 4.97, 5 BB, 13 K vs. Minnesota)
Hitter to Fear: Justin Morneau (.286, 1 HR, 1 RBI vs. Coke)
Hitter to Fail: Michael Cuddyer (0 for 3, 1 K vs. Coke)
MIN - Scott Baker (6-4, 4.63, 23 BB, 74 K vs. Detroit)
Hitter to Fear: Magglio Ordonez (.469, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI vs. Baker)
Hitter to Fail: Brandon Inge (.200, 8 K vs. Baker)
Analysis:
Francisco Liriano returns to the mound for the Twins Tuesday night, coming off his first career no-hitter. Although his start was pushed back a day due to illness, he still hopes to ride his momentum from his no-no. Detroit puts rejuvenated Rick Porcello on the mound and in his last 4 starts, he has only given up 6 runs.
In the Wednesday night game, struggling Phil Coke gets another shot at turning his season around. In his last 3 starts, he's 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA.
Twins starter Scott Baker is coming off a great pitching performance against the Red Sox. In his last 3 starts, he's an impressive 2-0 with 1.69 ERA.
The Tigers are riding some great momentum from Justin Verlander and his no-hitter on Saturday, to grab a win in one of these games would mean a very successful road trip.