Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2013 ) Detroit 3, Minnesota 6

The Minnesota Twins received a boost from Trevor Plouffe and will try to build on that momentum when they host the Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of their three-game series on Sunday. Plouffe returned from the disabled list with three hits and three RBIs - including a two-run homer - while celebrating his 27th birthday in the Twins' 6-3 victory on Saturday. It was only the seventh win for Minnesota over Detroit in the last 24 meetings at Target Field.

The Twins, who scored more than four runs for the first time in 11 games, will send P.J. Walters to the mound. He will oppose Doug Fister, who is 0-3 with a 2.67 ERA in his last four starts as the Tigers scored only four runs in those outings. Detroit, which has alternated wins and losses in its last six games, leads the major leagues with a .279 batting average and a .347 on-base percentage, and has the lowest team ERA in the American League among starters at 3.36.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN (Detroit), FSN North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Doug Fister (5-4, 3.28 ERA) vs. Twins RH P.J. Walters (2-1, 2.49)

Fister allowed three runs and nine hits in eight innings in a 3-2 loss at Kansas City on Monday and has worked at least seven frames in each of his last four outings. The 29-year-old is 3-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 starts against Minnesota - including a 3-2 loss on May 25, when he yielded three runs and eight hits in seven innings. Joe Mauer is 7-for-27 with a home run and five strikeouts against Fister, while Justin Morneau is 8-for-22 with a homer and three doubles.

Walters has allowed 11 runs (seven earned) and 31 hits over 25 1/3 innings in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester on May 24. The 28-year-old allowed two runs (one earned) and six hits in 7 1/3 frames but received a no-decision in Minnesota's 3-2 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday. Walters, who is 2-1 with a 3.16 ERA in six games (five starts) against Detroit, has struggled with Prince Fielder (5-for-11, two homers, three walks).

WALK-OFFS

1. Morneau has gone 151 at-bats without a home run and remains one shy of tying Kirby Puckett for fifth on the Twins' all-time list with 207. ... Tigers OF Torii Hunter hit 192 homers in 11 seasons with the Twins and needs one to reach 300 for his career.

2. Detroit 3B Miguel Cabrera, who leads the majors with a .354 batting average and 69 RBIs, is 4-for-24 with three RBIs in his last eight games.

3. The Twins have scored 30 runs in their last 11 games.

PREDICTION: Tigers 3, Twins 2