Alfredo Simon (13-10, 5.21 ERA) and Tyler Duffey (4-1, 3.15 ERA) take the hill in the second of a three-game series between the Detroit Tigers (72-81) and the Minnesota Twins (78-75) at Comerica Park. The Tigers won the last game 6-4 and Detroit leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:08 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sep. 26 and can be seen on FSDT and FSN.
Simon pitched 4.1 innings in his most recent start, surrendering eight runs, striking out three and walking three in a 10-3 defeat to the Royals. J.D. Martinez (.284, 88 Rs, 37 HRs, 98 RBIs, 3 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 4. Duffey went 7.0 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out seven and walking one in an 8-1 win over the Angels in his last outing. Eddie Rosario (.268, 55 Rs, 12 HRs, 49 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and three RBIs.
Minnesota takes on Detroit as a -132 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at eight runs. The Tigers have an overall money line of -769 and a record as the underdog of 35-51. Detroit has a disheartening record as underdog (17-21) against division opponents, but comes in with a more encouraging 39-30 SU record. The Tigers lead the AL in hits with a phenomenal 9.4 per game.
In games where it is the favorite, Minnesota has a 18-16 record and an overall money line of +1,954. They played poorly as the favorite over their last 10 games with a 2-5 record, and a 4-6 record SU.
The Tigers lead the season series, 11-6. The Tigers have a 51-66 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Duffey takes the mound. Simon (RHP) will be on the hill against the Twins, who have a 51-48 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Det, O/U – Over
Notes
Detroit recorded at least two errors for the 15th time this season.
The Tigers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Twins who are coming in with a 32-12 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Tigers have a slight leg up on the Twins, as the Tigers have won their last three games while the Twins have lost their last two.
When they outhit their opponents, the Tigers are 60-19. The Twins have a 55-8 record when outhitting opponents.
Both falling in the top half of the league based on total runs this season, Detroit ranks 13th with 661 runs and Minnesota is 12th with 663.
Ranking 21st, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 409 this season. Detroit ranks in the bottom half at 18th with 430.
When the Tigers hit at least one home run, they are 52-35. When the Twins hit at least one homer, they have a 60-35 record.
