MINNESOTA TWINS NOTES:

THE TWINS: Have gone 1-2 through three games on their seven-game roadtrip, winning game one on Monday night in Detroit, followed by consecutive losses at Comerica Park Tuesday and Wednesday…today, the Twins will play the four-game series finale and their final game in the Motor City in 2023…after today’s game, the Twins will travel to Philadelphia for three games against the Phillies over the weekend…the Twins have gone 33-24 at home and 27-32 on the road.

The Twins are 15-10 since the All-Star break, tied for seventh-most wins in baseball in that span.

The Twins have gone 17-15-4 in series play this season, including a 7-9-2 record on the road…they are 6-3-1 in series play on the road since May 29.

TIGERS SCORE ALL NIGHT ON TWINS: The Twins lost to the Tigers last night at Comerica Park by a score of 9-5…Bailey Ober (6-6) was the starter and loser, allowing five runs (4 earned) on 11 hits (tied career high) in 5.0 innings pitched, with one walk and a season high nine strikeouts…the offense recorded seven hits and walked five times…Joey Gallo hit his 18th home run, tying Max Kepler for team lead, while Carlos Correa hit his 14th home run.

MOTOR CITY MATCHUP: The Twins and Tigers are playing the 11th of 13 meetings in 2023… the Twins have gone 4-6 vs. Detroit this season, going 1-3 at Target Field and 3-3 at Comerica Park…these two will wrap up the season series with a two-game series at Target Field next Tuesday and Wednesday.

A win today and the Twins can finish their season 4-3 at Comerica Park, which would mark their first winning season in Detroit since going 8-2 in 2019 (4-6 in 2022, 4-5 in 2021 and 0-3 in 2020).

The Twins lead baseball in home runs vs. Detroit since the start of 2019, hitting 113, 22 ahead of Chicago-AL (91)…49 of those have come at Comerica Park, also most among opponents.

Carlos Correa is hitting .315 (28-for-89) with six doubles, five home runs, 15 RBI and a .922 OPS in his last 22 games vs. the Tigers…in his last 17 games at Comerica Park, he is hitting .357 (25-for-70) with two doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 19 RBI, 12 runs scored, a .395 on-base percentage and a 1.109 OPS in that span.

Jorge Polanco has hit safely in eight-straight games vs. the Tigers…he is a career .295 (117-for-397) hitter with 23 doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 55 RBI, 32 walks, 53 runs scored and an .811 OPS in 102 games against the Tigers…in 53 career games at Comerica, he is hitting .301 (62-for-206) with 12 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs scored and an .813 OPS.

DIVISION SIGNS: The Twins have gone 22-17 against the AL Central this season, going 3-4 vs. the Guardians, 9-4 vs. the Royals, 6-3 vs. the White Sox and 4-6 vs. the Tigers…the Twins 4.5 game lead on the Guardians is the largest division lead among the AL divisions and third best in baseball (Atlanta – 10.5+ in NL East and Los Angeles-NL – 6.0+ in NL West)…below are the Twins pitching numbers compared to other AL divisions/NL:

W-L ERA BAA K/BB K/9.0 WHIP OPS
CENTRAL 22-17 3.30 .232 3.71 9.2 1.14 .651
EAST 12-17 4.49 .240 3.40 9.3 1.22 .707
WEST 11-8 4.58 .239 3.81 10.8 1.21 .736
NATIONAL 15-14 3.58 .234 3.35 9.9 1.21 .699

ALSO: After today’s game, 12 of the next 14 games for Minnesota are outside of the division…the Twins have nine more game against AL Central opponents…they host Detroit for two games August 15-16, travel to Cleveland for three September 4-6 and four at Chicago September 14-17.

MAXIN’ OUT: Max Kepler has hit safely in five-straight games, one short of his season high of six, done from July 14-19…his career high is 10, done twice in 2019…in his last 24 games, since July 14, Kepler is hitting .307 (27-for-88) with six doubles, six home runs, 14 RBI, 18 runs scored, five walks, a .347 on-base percentage, a .580 slugging percentage and a .927 OPS.

Kepler has an RBI in five-straight games, one shy of his career-best streak of six, done
twice (2016 and 2019).

SECOND HALF SWITCH: Below are the Twins’ offensive numbers and MLB ranks pre-All-Star break vs. post-All-Star break:
AVG R/G H HR BB OBP SLG OPS TB ISO
PRE: .232 (25) 4.2 (24) 708 (22) 115 (8) 297 (16) .309 (25) .400 (20) .709 (22) 1219 (20) .167 (10)
POST: .259 (8) 5.4 (5) 223 (6) 42 (3) 91 (9) .339 (6) .478 (3) .817 (4) 412 (2) .219 (2)

LAND OF 10,000 RAKES: After home runs from Correa and Gallo last night, the Twins have hit 16 homers this month, second most in the AL, trailing only Texas’ 18…on the season, Minnesota has hit 157 home runs, fifth most in the AL and eighth most in baseball.

After two more three-run homers last night, the Twins now have 23 three-run jimmy jacks, tied with Atlanta for most in baseball.

TOP JEFF: Last night’s second-inning double extended Ryan Jeffers’ hitting streak to 14 games with a plate appearance (career best)…it marks the longest streak by a Twin this season and longest since Jorge Polanco’s 14-game hitting streak from May 27-June 13, 2019…the last Twin with a streak longer than 15 games was Brian Dozier, who hit safely in 24-straight from September 22, 2017-April 23, 2018…the last 15-plus game streak in a single season was Eddie Rosario, who hit safely in 15-straight from April 17-May 5, 2017.

During the current streak, Jeffers is hitting .388 (19-for-49) with three doubles, five home runs, 14 RBI, seven walks, a .474 on-base percentage, a .755 slugging percentage and a 1.229 OPS.

Only San Diego’s Ha-Seong Kim (15) has a longer active streak than Jeffers.

MIC DROPS: Detroit related notes on Bally Sports North pregame analyst Trevor Plouffe and in-game color analyst Glen Perkins:

Plouffe drove in 40 runs in 81 career games against the Tigers, his second most vs. any opponent (Chicago-AL – 48)…Plouffe started his first career game in leftfield at Comerica Park on August 15, 2011, playing all nine innings there, making two putouts in two total chances. Perkins struck out 62 Tigers in his career, his most vs. any opponent…the Tiger he struck out the most was Miguel Cabrera (8)…Perk earned his second career win at Comerica Park on May 25, 2008, allowing one run on seven hits in 7.2 innings pitched, opposite Justin Verlander…Miguel Cabera went 0-for-4 in that game with two strikeouts (1 by Perk).

STARTING PITCHER – #18 KENTA MAEDA
2023: 3-6, 4.22 ERA CAREER: 62-47, 3.90 ERA

Making his 13th start and appearance of 2023, and his eighth road start…also his 182nd career appearance and 148th start.

Facing Detroit for the second time this season and 10th time in his career; is 3-2, 3.33 ERA (51.1 IP, 19 ER) with nine walks and 66 strikeouts in nine previous starts against the Tigers.

Is in his fourth season with the Twins after being acquired in 2020, along with Jair Camargo, from Los Angeles-NL in exchange for Brusdar Graterol and Luke Raley

LEAGUE LEADER LATELY: Since being returned from his rehab assignment and reinstated from the 15-day Injured List (right triceps strain) on June 23, Maeda is 3-2 with a 2.47 ERA (43.2 IP, 12 ER), 13 walks, 58 strikeouts and a .195 (30-for-154) opponent batting average in eight starts…here’s how his numbers rank among American League pitchers since June 23 (min. 8 GS):

STATISTIC LAST 8 STARTS AL RANK
ERA ………………………………………………………….. 2.47 …………………………………………………………….. 5th
Opponent Batting Average…………………………… .195 ……………………………………………………………..2nd
WHIP…………………………………………………………. 0.98 …………………………………………………………….. 4th
Strikeouts……………………………………………………. 58 ……………………………………………………………….2nd

LAST TIME OUT: Recorded his 50th career quality start and earned the win on August 5 vs. Arizona in the Twins’ 12-1 victory at Target Field…allowed one run on two hits (1 HR) in 6.0 innings pitched, with no walks and seven strikeouts…struck out Geraldo Perdomo to lead off the game, recording his 900th career strikeout…stranded Corbin Carroll on second base in the top of the first inning by striking out Christian Walker to end the inning…allowed a solo home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and a bunt single to Jace Peterson in the top of the second, then retired the final 14 batters he faced…was relieved by Jordan Balazovic to start the top of the seventh with Minnesota leading 10-1; Balazovic (2.0 IP) and Jovani Moran (1.0 IP) held the Diamondbacks scoreless as the Twins offense produced
12 runs on 17 hits to win the game and claim the series victory.

Recorded his fourth quality start in his last six outings after failing to record a quality start in his first six starts of 2023.

Allowed only two hits, his fewest in a start of 6.0-or-more innings since July 4, 2021 at Kansas City (also 6.0 IP, 2 H).

Has allowed three-or-fewer runs in each of his last eight starts, tied with TB’s Jalen Beeks and CWS’s Mike Clevinger for the fourth-longest active streak among American League starters…Maeda’s current streak is his second longest as a Twin (14-start streak allowing 3-or-fewer runs from July 26, 2020 to April 14, 2021).

TWO STARTS AGO: Suffered the loss on July 30 at Kansas City in the Twins’ 2-1 defeat at Kauffman Stadium…pitched 5.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits (1 HR), with two walks and seven strikeouts…retired the first five batters he faced before allowing a solo home run to Freddy Fermin in the second inning…allowed one run on two hits, including an RBI double by Maikel Garcia, in the bottom of the third…escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam by inducing an inning-ending flyout from Nicky Lopez to end the fourth inning…retired the side in order with two strikeouts in the fifth inning… was relieved by Dylan Floro to begin the sixth inning; Minnesota’s bullpen fired 3.0 scoreless innings, but the Twins’ offense scored just one run on seven hits to drop the series finale.

KING OF THE K: Maeda has struck out six-or-more batters in six-consecutive starts, tied with PHI’s Aaron Nola for the fourth-longest active streak in baseball…has struck out 10.86 batters-per-9.0 innings this season, the seventh-highest strikeouts-per-9.0 innings ratio in the American League (min. 12 GS)…has struck out 30 percent of the batters he has faced in 2023, tied for the 10th-best strikeout rate in baseball among starters with at least 44.0 IP (Inside Edge).

CRUISING INTO THE MOTOR CITY: Facing Detroit for the second time this year and 10th time in his career…is 3-2, 3.33 ERA (51.1 IP, 19 ER) with five quality starts, nine walks, 66 strikeouts, a .196 (36-for-184) opponent batting average and a 0.88 WHIP in nine career starts vs. the Tigers…his 0.88 WHIP against Detroit is the third lowest against any opponent in his career (min. 5 GS), trailing only his 0.83 WHIP vs. Miami (6 G/5 GS) and his 0.87 WHIP against Cleveland (5 GS)…earned the win in his last start vs. the Tigers on June 23 at Comerica Park, a 4-1 Twins’ victory; fired 5.0 scoreless innings and allowed just three hits, issuing two walks and striking out eight batters in his return from the 15-day Injured List.

Twins are 5-2 in his last seven starts against Detroit, since September 5, 2020.

CENTRAL COMMAND: Maeda is 2-2, 2.74 ERA (23.0 IP, 7 ER) with five walks and 27 strikeouts in four starts against American League Central opponents this year…lost to Chicago-AL on April 10, earned wins on June 23 at Detroit and on July 4 vs. Kansas City, and lost on July 30 at Kansas City… in 25 career starts against the AL Central, Maeda is 12-6, 3.31 ERA (138.2 IP, 51 ER) with 31 walks and 157 strikeouts…his 3.31 ERA vs. the AL Central is the second lowest against any division in his career (3.07 ERA vs. National League East).

8 MILE ROAD: Making his eighth road start of 2023 today…is 1-4, 3.16 ERA (31.1 IP, 11 ER) with 11 walks and 43 strikeouts in seven road starts this season…has received only 11 runs of support on the road this year, tied for the third fewest in baseball (min. 7 road GS), only ahead of DET’s Joey Wentz (7) and SF’s Ross Stripling (9)…is 2-2, 5.40 ERA (28.1 IP, 17 ER) with five walks and 29 strikeouts in five home starts in 2023.

In five career road starts against Detroit, Maeda is 2-2, 3.86 ERA (28.0 IP, 12 ER) with four walks and 37 strikeouts, pitching at least 5.0 innings in all five starts.

Is 27-26, 4.60 ERA (419.0 IP, 214 ER) with 135 walks and 462 strikeouts in 97 career road appearances (81 starts)…in 84 career home appearances (66 starts), he is 35-21, 3.17 ERA (402.2 IP, 142 ER) with 101 walks and 444 strikeouts.

DETROIT TIGERS NOTES:

TIGERS WIN SECOND STRAIGHT FROM MINNESOTA: The Tigers defeated the Twins, 9-5, on Wednesday night. Spencer Torkelson launched a pair of solo home runs, while Matt Vierling and Eric Haase each had three hits and drove in a run. Miguel Cabrera and Zach McKinstry also had three knocks apiece in the victory. Alex Faedo started for Detroit, giving up three runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Tyler Holton notched his first big league win, walking one and striking out three over 2.1 hitless innings. José Cisnero picked up his second save of the season, giving up a hit and striking out one in a third of an inning.

TORK TIME: Spencer Torkelson blasted a pair of home runs in last night’s game, his 16th and 17th of the season. Torkelson now has three multi-homer games this season, which is tied for the fifth most in the American League. Dating back to June 27, he ranks tied for fifth in the American League with nine home runs and sixth with 27 RBI.

MIGGY MAGIC: Miguel Cabrera had three hits in last night’s game, notching the 891st multi-hit game and the 250th game with three-or-more hits of his career. With three hits last night, Cabrera now has 3,145, breaking a tie with Robin Yount (3,142) for 19th place in MLB history. Cabrera has hit safely in 29 of his last 40 games, slashing .331/.396/.433 with 10 doubles, a home run and 12 RBI. Among American League players with at least 100 plate appearances since May 30, he ranks sixth in batting average and ninth in on-base percentage.

AT COMERICA PARK: The Tigers are 3-3 on their current seven-game homestand, which includes three games vs. Tampa Bay (1-2) and four games vs. Minnesota (2-1). Detroit is 25-33 at Comerica Park this season. As a team, the Tigers are hitting .246/.309/.380 at home, while the pitching staff has a 4.75 ERA (532.0IP/281ER).

TIGERS AND TWINS: The Tigers and Twins conclude their third series of the season today. The two teams will wrap up their season next week with a two-game series in Minneapolis. Detroit has won six of the 10 games from Minnesota this season. The Tigers are looking to win the season series from the Twins for the first time since 2016.

AGAINST THE AL CENTRAL: The Tigers continue divisional play today against the Twins. Detroit is 20-13 against American League Central teams so far this season. The Tigers have won seven of the nine series they have played against divisional foes.

ON DECK: The Tigers begin their first three-city road trip of the season tomorrow as they open a weekend series against the Red Sox. The two teams met in early April with Boston sweeping a three-game set at Comerica Park. In 2022, the Tigers went 1-5 against the Red Sox, including losing all three games at Fenway Park.

INJURY REHAB UPDATES: Spencer Turnbull and Will Vest continued their injury rehab assignments with Triple A Toledo last night. Turnbull started and threw 4.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts. Vest pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen with two strikeouts.

TIGERS ON THE IL:

• LHP Tyler Alexander (left lat/shoulder strain, 60-day IL on July 4, retroactive to July 3)
• LHP Matthew Boyd (left elbow sprain, 60-day IL on June 27)
• RHP Mason Englert (left hip tightness, 15-day IL on July 24, retroactive to July 23)
• OF Austin Meadows (anxiety, 60-day IL on April 8, retroactive to April 7)
• RHP Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on February 17)
• RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain, 60-day IL on March 27)
• RHP Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort, 60-day IL on May 12, retroactive to May 7)
• RHP Will Vest (right lower leg strain, 15-day IL on June 27)

TODAY’S TIGERS STARTING PITCHER

45 Reese Olson • 1-5, 4.94 ERA (54.2IP/30ER)

• Olson will make the 13th appearance and 10th start of his Major League career today in the series finale vs. Minnesota.
• Took the loss in his last start on Friday vs. Tampa Bay, allowing four runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
• Faced the Twins earlier this season on June 24 and picked up the win, giving up one run on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings…in seven career outings, including five starts, at Comerica Park, Olson is 1-3 with a 5.68 ERA (31.2IP/20ER) and 32 strikeouts.
• Earned his first big league win on June 24 vs. Minnesota, allowing one run on four hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in 5.1 innings… became the 11th Tigers pitcher since 1901 to strike out nine-or-more batters in one of his first five Major League games (last, Tyler Alexander, July 27, 2019 at Seattle).
• Made his Major League debut on June 2 at Chicago (AL), allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and six strikeouts in 5.0 innings… carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning until allowing a single to Romy Gonzalez…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first Tigers pitcher to throw at least 5.0 no-hit innings in his debut since Bill Slayback pitched 7.0 hitless innings on June 26, 1972 vs. New York (AL).