Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2010 ) Detroit 1, Minnesota 2

Over the first two games of their series, the Minnesota Twins have been tamed by Detroit's starting pitchers.

The Tigers' bullpen has not had similar success.

The Twins look to complete a three-game sweep of the Tigers on Thursday night when the teams meet in the series finale at Target Field.

Armando Galarraga left Tuesday's series opener with a 3-2 lead, but Minnesota erased the deficit by scoring two runs off Detroit relievers Phil Coke and Ryan Perry and held on for a 4-3 triumph. Wednesday, the Twins saw their bullpen blow a one-run lead before again victimizing the Tigers' relief corps.

Perry, who blew the save opportunity on Tuesday, was tagged with the loss. Michael Cuddyer led off the 10th inning with a single and stole second before rookie Danny Valencia ripped a one-out RBI base hit, giving Minnesota a 2-1 win that helped maintain its four-game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.

The loss, Detroit's fifth in seven games, spoiled a superb performance by Max Scherzer. The right-hander, who allowed 16 runs in eight innings over his first two starts against the Twins this season, yielded just one run and four hits while striking out nine in a career-high nine frames.

Minnesota, which has won 13 of its last 15 home games and seven of eight against Detroit at Target Field this year, attempts to go 3-0 on its 10-game homestand behind Scott Baker.

The right-hander has won each of his last five decisions. He gave up two runs and five hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 6-3 victory at Seattle on Friday.

The 28-year old, who is 8-3 with a 3.86 ERA in 13 starts at home in 2010, has made two previous starts against the Tigers this season, going 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA. He owns a 6-4 record and 4.55 ERA in 19 career outings versus Detroit.

Jhonny Peralta is hitting .261 (12-for-46) with two home runs and seven RBIs against Baker, while Miguel Cabrera is 9-for-27 (.333) with two homers and six RBIs.

The Tigers counter with ace Justin Verlander. The righty was terrific in two home starts against Minnesota earlier this year but failed to make it out of the sixth inning in either, going 1-1 with a 1.64 ERA. He allowed an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings of a 2-0 loss on April 27, then yielded two runs in 5 1/3 frames of a 7-3 triumph.

The 27-year old has won two of his last three decisions and has not surrendered more than three runs in any of his last four outings. He settled for a no-decision Friday in a 3-2 loss at Toronto, giving up two runs and five hits in eight innings.

Verlander, who is 6-7 with a 4.00 ERA in 16 career starts against the Twins, has gone 5-5 with a 4.53 ERA in 14 road outings this year.

Minnesota slugger Jim Thome has a .256 (11-for-43) lifetime average against Verlander with seven home runs and 11 RBIs. Reigning AL Most Valuable Player Joe Mauer is 15-for-42 (.357) against the right-hander with three homers and nine RBIs.