The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins close out their three-game series Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park. First pitch is set for 1:10PM ET. The Twins took Game 2 by a score of 6-3, while the Tigers won the opener by the same score. This will be the 11th meeting between the teams this season. Detroit has won six of the first ten.
The Tigers enter at 66-49 on the season and 37-22 at home. Minnesota sits at 53-60 overall and just 23-36 away from home. Detroit is favored at -141 on the moneyline, with the total sitting at 8.0 runs. Minnesota won on Tuesday despite using a patchwork bullpen, while Detroit struggled at the plate with a limited lineup.
Tigers Preview – Can Flaherty Stay Sharp at Home?
Detroit will send Jack Flaherty to the mound for the series finale. Flaherty is 6-10 with a 4.36 ERA this season. He’s coming off two strong starts, including six scoreless innings against Toronto and six-plus innings of one-run ball against Philadelphia. His fastball command has been better, and he’s mixing in more sliders and curveballs.
Flaherty has made three career starts against Minnesota, posting a 3.00 ERA but no decisions. He’ll look to keep the Tigers in the game early, as the bullpen has had some shaky outings of late. Detroit added two starters at the trade deadline but still needs Flaherty to be consistent in the middle of the rotation.
Offensively, Detroit averages 4.80 runs per game and allows 4.10. They are 10th in MLB in home batting average and have a team ERA of 3.81. The bullpen ERA is 3.90, with arms like Will Vest and Brant Hurter pitching well. Gleyber Torres missed Tuesday’s game with a sore forearm, and Riley Greene was rested. Both could return for this one.
Twins Preview – Bullpen Game After Injury News
Minnesota planned to start Simeon Woods Richardson, but he was placed on the 15-day IL due to illness. The team has not named a replacement, so this will likely be a bullpen game. On Tuesday, four relievers followed Zebby Matthews, and they allowed just two runs the rest of the way. Justin Topa earned his first save with a clean ninth.
The Twins traded five relievers at the deadline and are still figuring out roles. Baldelli used ten pitchers over the first two games of this series. The current bullpen ranks 4th in innings pitched this season, with a team bullpen ERA of 4.01. Louis Varland, Brock Stewart, and Justin Topa have been the most reliable options in recent weeks.
Luke Keaschall was activated from the injured list Tuesday and hit his first MLB home run. He finished the game with three RBIs. The Twins average 4.17 runs per game and allow 4.47. They’ve struggled on the road, but their bullpen has kept games close. Minnesota is 6-1 against the run line in their last seven road games.
Betting Prediction
Detroit is -141 on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +102. The total is 8.0 runs. With Flaherty pitching well and the Twins using a bullpen game, Detroit has the edge on the mound. The Tigers have won six of ten in the season series and are 37-22 at home this year. The Tigers have also hit the 1st five innings team total over in 30 of their last 49 home games.
Minnesota has covered the run line in six of its last seven road games and played well Tuesday with limited pitching. But it’s hard to back a team without a named starter. Detroit’s rested bats should bounce back, especially if Greene and Torres return. Flaherty should give the Tigers six solid innings and help close out the series with a win.
Pick: Tigers -141
