In the last of a three-game series between the Minnesota Twins (7-17) and the Detroit Tigers (13-10) at Target Field, Ricky Nolasco (1-0, 3.25 ERA) and Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 4.64 ERA) get the start. The Tigers won the last game 4-1, and Detroit leads the series 2-0. The game gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 1 and will air on FSDT and FSN.
In his most recent outing, Nolasco pitched 7.1 innings, giving up four runs and striking out nine in a 6-5 victory over the Indians. Byung Ho Park (.227, 9 Rs, 6 HRs, 8 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Tigers were unsuccessful the last time Pelfrey pitched. He did not do well, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing five runs and striking out one in a 5-1 loss to the Athletics. Victor Martinez (.329, 12 Rs, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs) has been doing well offensively for the Tigers, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Twins have a SU record of 3-5 against teams in their division. Over their past 10 games, Minnesota’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. Minnesota’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
Against divisional rivals, the Tigers are 2-9 SU. Detroit has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The Tigers are one of the top road hitting teams in the AL, averaging 10.0 hits in games away from home. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Detroit pitchers. They’ve allowed 0.0 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 0.0.
The previous two games have all gone Detroit’s way.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET
Notes
Minnesota recorded at least two errors for the fourth time this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Twins are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Tigers have a 2-1 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
It looks like the Tigers have a slight leg up on the Twins, as the Tigers have won their last four games while the Twins have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Twins are 5-3. The Tigers have a 10-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 80 this season. Detroit ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 109.
Ranking 23rd, Detroit is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 65 this season. Minnesota ranks in the top half at 11th with 79.
The Twins are 5-10 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Tigers are 12-4 when they hit at least one homer.
