Detroit @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2018 ) Detroit 4, Minnesota 2

The Detroit Tigers attempt to record back-to-back victories for the first time in more than two weeks when they visit the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Detroit, which posted a 4-2 triumph in the series opener, has not won consecutive contests since a four-game winning streak from Sept. 4-8.

The Tigers scored all four of their runs on Tuesday in the eighth inning, with James McCann highlighting the rally with a two-run double. Niko Goodrum and Nicholas Castellanos each drove in one run, with the latter raising his team-leading RBI total to 87. Minnesota lost for the third time in four contests as it began its season-ending seven-game homestand. Each of the first three batters in the lineup recorded two hits, with Jorge Polanco and Jake Cave recording an RBI apiece, while Joe Mauer put his name in the Twins' record book in the opener as he led off the game with a single to reach base safely for the 3,073rd time.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers LH Matthew Boyd (9-12, 4.16 ERA) vs. Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (7-10, 4.35)

Boyd extended his unbeaten streak to four starts on Thursday as he escaped with a no-decision despite surrendering five runs - two earned - and six hits in just 1 1/3 innings against Kansas City. The 27-year-old native of Washington, who has recorded just one win during the stretch, is 3-9 with a 5.52 ERA on the road this year as opposed to 6-3 with a 2.63 mark at home. Boyd is 6-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 15 career starts against the Twins and 1-2 with a 3.80 ERA in four turns this season, including a pair of losses in Minnesota.

Odorizzi is hoping to duplicate his performance from Sept. 18, when he allowed two runs and four hits over 6 1/3 innings in a victory at Detroit. The triumph improved the 28-year-old from Illinois to 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA in seven career starts against the Tigers. Odorizzi was superb in his last turn at home as he limited the New York Yankees to one run and one hit over a season-high 7 1/3 frames in a win on Sept. 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. Castellanos has hit safely in seven of his last eight games, going 14-for-30 in that span, and driven in at least one run (six overall) in five of his last six contests.

2. Minnesota activated RHP Aaron Slegers (shoulder), who had been sidelined for over two months, from the 10-day disabled list.

3. Detroit INF Harold Castro made his major-league debut Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a stolen base as he started at shortstop before shifting to second base.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Tigers 4