Game 38 Preview: Twins at Tigers

Minnesota Twins (11-26) at Detroit Tigers (18-19)

Time/Place: Comerica Park, 1:00 p.m.

SB Nation Blog: Twinkie Town

Media: Fox Sports Detroit, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Pitching Matchup: Doug Fister (0-1, 0.54 ERA) vs. P.J. Walters (0-1, 3.00 ERA)

Walters is a 27 year old righthander with a whopping five starts to his name in 3+ seasons in the major leagues. He hasn't seen a lot of MLB action -- his career high for innings pitched in a season is 30 with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010. He appeared in a game against the Tigers in 2009, giving up one run in 2 innings of relief action.

Walters' first and only major league appearance this season came in a start against the Toronto Blue Jays five days ago. He pitched well, giving up just two runs in 6 innings, but got Doug Fister'd (a.k.a. saddled with the loss) when the Twins only scored one run. His LOB % rate is very high, but a HR/FB ratio of 33% is likely to come down today. If you think I'm grasping at straws here, you'd be right.

How good has Doug Fister been this year? Even though he's been injured and only has 16 2/3 innings under his belt, he has given up one run. His K/BB ratio is 4.67 and his WHIP is a Verlander-esque 0.900. I wouldn't advocate celebrating "Fister Day" just yet (for multiple reasons), but he is starting to bring me that almost zen-like calm that Justin gives most Tiger fans when he's scheduled to take the mound. This is especially true during day games; Fister has a career 2.64 ERA in 20 daytime starts.

Outlook

Walters is a young pitcher going up against one of the most talented lineups he'll ever see. So, as has been the case with seemingly every other player in this situation against the Tigers in recent memory, he will probably walk away with a quality start. On a brighter note, the Tigers offense is finally starting to show some teeth, having scored 22 runs in the past three games. The bottom of the order will need to step up to score runs today if Jackson is not in the lineup, which will likely be the case.

Prediction

The Tigers continue their Jekyll and Hyde pattern by winning a low scoring game with a late RBI from Alex Avila.

Gameday Reading:

Postgame: Doumit to DL; Revere recalled; Blackburn hurting - Minneapolis Star Tribune, Joe Christensen
The Tigers weren't the only ones making roster moves after last night's game.

Twins 11, Tigers 7: Blackburn's Best Efforts Can't Stop Twins From Winning - Twinkie Town
"Somehow, though, despite the terrible starting pitching, the Twins' offense managed to step up and not only keep Minnesota in the game, but score more runs than the Tigers and win the whole deal (I know, crazy concept, right?)"

Twins 11, Tigers 7: Day-to-Day in Detroit - Walkoff Woodward, Brian Packey
"The Twins hammered out 14 hits and even induced the Tigers usually stellar defense (sarcasm) into four errors, three of which led to the difference in the score."