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Twins Vs. Tigers: Justin Morneau Returns As Minnesota Starts Series Against Detroit

The Minnesota Twins head to Detroit to face the Tigers on Wednesday.

April 22, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) at bat in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
April 22, 2012; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (33) at bat in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

After a slumping offensive performance during a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians, the Minnesota Twins will gladly welcome back Justin Morneau into their line up after a 15 day DL stint. He is expected to play first base rather than DH in his return.

They'll need all the help they can get as they go from the leaders of the AL Central to the second place team in the division, the Detroit Tigers. Fortunately, their slumping offense won't be facing a Drew Smyly or Justin Verlander type, with Rick Porcello and his 5.18 ERA on the mound for the Tigers.

Minnesota will send out slumping Nick Blackburn to the mound in search of only his second win; the righty has a miserable 1-4 record -- and that one win still came in a game where he gave up five runs -- and an even more miserable 7.18 ERA.

The game will be at Comerica Park at 7:05 p.m. ET.

For more on the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins, head over to Bless You Boys and Twinkie Town, SB Nation's respective blogs for the teams. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found over at Baseball Nation.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.