Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer has closed the gap on Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Carbrera in the AL batting title race, and now Mauer has a legitimate chance to claim the highest batting average during the final six games of the season. Cabrera currently sits at .326, while Mauer clocks in at .323 and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is close behind at .320, heading into the games on Friday, Sept. 28.
In an interesting twist, Mauer (.414) is leading the on-base percentage race, but Prince Fielder (.410) is still close enough to strike. The Twins and Tigers have been through very different seasons, but those teams will meet for a three-game series over the weekend as the Tigers try to hold off the Chicago White Sox for the rights to the AL Central crown.
With the Twins sitting at the bottom of the division and trying to stay out of last place in the AL, Mauer's batting title chase is one of the lone bright spots for the remainder of 2012.