Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2016 ) Detroit 0, Minnesota 0

Detroit's Justin Verlander regularly records victories against Minnesota and looks to make it 12 wins in his last 13 decisions when the Tigers visit the Twins on Thursday for a split doubleheader. Verlander will start the nightcap of the pivotal twinbill for Detroit, which is one game behind Baltimore for the American League's second wild card.

The doubleheader was made necessary by Wednesday's rainout, and the Tigers are looking to build on a two-game winning streak after losing eight of their previous 11 contests. Detroit is tied with Houston in the wild-card chase, with Seattle and New York Yankees also in the mix. The Tigers remain unsure when second baseman Ian Kinsler will return to the lineup after suffering a concussion on Sunday while designated hitter Victor Martinez, who injured his knee in the same game, may be available on Thursday. Minnesota's Brian Dozier (ribs) was hit by a pitch before Wednesday's game was postponed and manager Paul Molitor is unsure of his availability but does think Joe Mauer (quadriceps) will be cleared to play in the field on Thursday after serving as the designated hitter for the rained-out contest.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (7-13, 5.90 ERA) vs. Twins LH Pat Dean (1-6, 6.71)

Sanchez was rocked for six runs and five hits in four innings of a no-decision against the Twins on Sept. 14. He is 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA in 16 career appearances (15 starts) against Minnesota, including a victory on Aug. 23 in which he gave up three runs and six hits over seven frames. Sanchez hasn't worked six innings in any of the last four starts of a dismal campaign that has seen him set a career worst for defeats.

Dean is making his ninth start of the season and seeking his first victory since May 27, when he gave up two runs and four hits over seven innings against Seattle. The 27-year-old last worked more than five frames on June 12 and his most-recent appearance was a one-inning relief outing on Friday. Dean has served up 12 homers in just 59 innings and opposing batters have a collective .326 average against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Twins need to win eight of their final 11 games to avoid their first 100-loss season since the 1982 club went 60-102.

2. Detroit LF Justin Upton has three homers and eight RBIs over the past four games.

3. Minnesota 3B/DH Miguel Sano (back) could return to the lineup for the first time since Sept. 12.

PREDICTION: Tigers 8, Twins 6