Minnesota Twins @ Detroit Tigers
United States: MLB Baseball
Tueday 16 August 2011 - First Pitch 7:05pm ET
12:05am (British Standard Time)

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Preview

Two American League Central teams clash in Game 2 with the Division still up for grabs. A defeat in Game 1 for the Detroit Tigers (64-57) saw their lead at the top shrink to 2 games, but the Minnesota Twins (53-67) were desperate for the win if they have real intentions of closing the 10.5 game deficit they have to the Tigers.

Jim Thome reached a milestone of 600 career Home Runs while leading the Twins to a 9-6 win last night, and his achievement rightly led the headlines. However, the Twins will need more of the same if they are to win back to back games at Comerica Park for first time in the same season in more than 3 years.

Things wont be easy for Minnesota as they face one of the best pitchers in the American League in the form of Justin Verlander. The pitcher is 17-5 this season with a 2.35 ERA and looks to become the first to reach 18 wins this season.

Verlander has been in fine form, winning his last 5 starts with a 2.61 ERA and he is 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA in his last 5 starts against Minnesota. That includes an appearance this season when he gave up 1 run in 8 innings as the Tigers won 6-2.

Minnesota will hope to counter Verlander by sending Nick Blackburn to the mound- Blackburn is 7-9 this season with a 4.36 ERA. However, the pitcher has struggled to a 0-3 record in his last 6 starts and he has a 4.78 ERA in those games.

Blackburn allowed 5 runs in 6 innings against the Tigers earlier this season but did not get the decision although his ERA has reached 6.58 in his last 4 starts against them.

Head to Head

Detroit have dominated the season series and lead 8-2 even after falling to a defeat last night.

Minnesota are now just 2-12 in their last 14 games against Detroit.

The Tigers are 20-18 in Game 2's this season, although they have struggled to an 8-13 record when coming in off a loss.

Minnesota are 15-24 in Game 2's, but they are almost at 0.500 when winning Game 1, going 8-10 in that situation.

Prediction

Detroit have a clear edge on the mound tonight and have dominated the Twins in recent games and I expect them to return to that sort of form tonight in Game 2.

The Tigers have seen their lead in the AL Central trimmed and they will know how important it is to continue winning while Justin Verlander is on the mound. When he pitches, the Tigers have to win the games.

Minnesota are unlikely to make the Play Offs this season and have not enjoyed playing Detroit recently. Jim Thome's 600th Home Run may also serve as a distraction here as all the media attention has surrounded that incredible feat, and quite rightly, and I feel the Twins may just lose focus.

I'll take the Tigers to win by at least a couple of runs.

The Pick :

Detroit Tigers 6-2 Minnesota Twins

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Detroit Tigers - 1.5 Runs @ 1.83 (Ladbrokes)