The Minnesota Twins helped to maintain a tight A.L. Central race on Friday night when they defeated the Detroit Tigers, which allowed the Chicago White Sox to pick up a game in the division race. Minnesota can further complicate things for the Tigers with another win on Saturday, but it will likely be a considerably more difficult task.
That's because the Twins will be facing Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is potentially closing in on his second straight Cy Young award. Verlander has been stellar in September, but will be making only his second start all year vs. the Twins. Of course, in his one other start against Minnesota in 2012, he pitched a four-hit complete game in which he struck out seven and allowed only a single run.
The Twin will counter with P.J. Walters, whose last start came against the Tigers at Comerica Park. In that game, Walters gave up only one earned run in five innings in a 2-1 Twins victory. Walters has made two other starts against Detroit this season, giving up only six earned runs in 18.1 total innings pitched.
First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on FOX.