Series Preview (@DET 6/23-6/25): Twins Once Bitten, Twice Shy Versus Tigers?

Not much has happened in the last week for the Twins and Tigers, other than everything. 

The Twins' self-destruction against Detroit last weekend bled into the Red Sox series, and led to the infamous post-game "we will get better" speech by their skipper. Twins Territory collectively yearned for a different era, and tried to figure out what to do with the rest of their summer hours. Then the Twins got better, and managed a split with Boston and found their way back to the .500 mark. Byron Buxton mashed over 900 feet of home runs Thursday, and the Twins engaged in two-out hitting and actual emotion on the field.

The Tigers took two of three from the Royals this week, and leapfrogged the White Sox in the standings. They continued their mix of red-hot hitting and getting shut out. The reality is that a sweep by the Tigers puts them right at the top of the abysmal AL Central again, and sends the Twins into murky territory ahead of the trade deadline. Be prepared for the usual broadcasting statements of "Cabrera still has it," "don't throw Baez a pitch in the zone," and "the Tigers are fighters."

Interesting Fact: Kenta Maeda hasn't pitched for the Twins since the end of April when he surrendered 10 runs to the Yankees in only three innings of work. In his four starts this season, he's pitched a total of 16 innings. This factor becomes more interesting as we contemplate the weather factor.

Weather Factor: Rain looks to play a role in Friday's game and into Saturday morning. We might have an extra day to wait for Maeda's return to the season. Double-header for the weekend perhaps? Would that help or hinder the Twins' chances in the series? (Update 6/23…threat of rain downgraded for Friday…upgraded for Sunday)

Pitching Probables
Game 1 – Friday, June 23, 2023 – 5:40pm CDT – Maeda (0-4, 9.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his return, against Tigers LHP Joey Wentz (1-7, 6.82 ERA). Wentz was the hard-luck loser of the only game the Twins could muster against the Tigers last weekend, after going six innings and giving up only two hits and two runs. 

Game 2 - Saturday, June 24, 2023 - 6:15pm CDT - Twins RHP Pablo Lopez (3-4, 4.40 ERA) takes the mound in hopes of re-establishing both the strike zone and his ability to avoid the crooked number innings. Tigers RHP Reese Olson (0-2, 5.59 ERA) makes his fourth start of the season after taking a no-decision against Kansas City.

Game 3  - Sunday, June 25, 2023 - 12:40pm CDT - RHP Bailey Ober (4-4, 2.83 ERA) gets the call for Sunday's finale, and he has continued his trend of five to six innings of work all season long. He hasn't made it seven innings since the beginning of May, and the Twins hope he can regain that side of longevity again as they go directly to Baltimore without an off day until Thursday.  For the Tigers, RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-4, 4.00 ERA) will start his first game against the Twins this season. Lorenzen has been either lights out or batting practice so far in 2023, with five games of surrendering five runs or more, and seven games of surrendering two runs or less.

Prediction Time!
What's your prediction for this series?  Can the Twins maintain their lead in the AL Central throughout this series? Who do you see being the biggest impact player in the series? Let us know in the comments! Go, Twins!

AL Central Standings (through June 22)
Minnesota 38-38  
Cleveland  36-38   1.0 GB
Detroit       32-41    4.5 GB
Chicago     32-44   6.0 GB
KC              21-54   16.5 GB