Game 150 Preview, Take 2: Twins at Tigers

Minnesota Twins (62-88) at Detroit Tigers (79-70)

Time/Place: 4:00 p.m., Comerica Park

SB Nation Blog: Twinkie Town

Media: FOX (broadcast map), Tigers Radio Network

Pitching Matchup: RHP Samuel Deduno (6-4, 3.84 ERA) vs. RHP Doug Fister (9-9, 3.65 ERA)

Deduno's section copied and pasted from yesterday's preview:

It would be easy for me to look at Deduno's 2-4 record and 4.37 ERA since facing the Tigers and claim that the rest of the league has figured him out... but that wouldn't make for a very interesting preview. It would also be wrong. Other than getting bombarded by the Texas Rangers at The Launchpad In Arlington, Deduno is continuing to do what he has done since joining the Twins' rotation in early July: walk a ton of hitters but somehow strand them all on base. Seriously, a guy that is walking 5.76 hitters per 9 innings should not be putting up the numbers that he is... which is why his FIP is 5.16. Regression is coming for Deduno, the only question is when.

Fister has struggled against the Twins this season, allowing a 4.50 ERA in three starts. He has still averaged 6 innings per start, a far cry from the four innings and 93 pitches he was limited to in his last start against the Chicago White Sox. Overall, Fister's last five starts haven't been pretty -- 2-2, 5.40 ERA, and an uncharacteristic 12 walks in 26 2/3 innings -- but a couple of solid outings have kept me from being too concerned about his overall health and endurance at this point in the season.

Outlook

I stand by yesterday's assertion that anything less than a sweep is a disappointment. The Tigers need to take advantage of Chicago's losses as efficiently as the White Sox took advantage of a couple Detroit losses last week. With some luck, the Tigers could be within 1/2 a game by the end of the night.

Prediction

Fister rebounds from his last start (and his poor starts against Minnesota earlier this year) with a solid effort today.