Minnesota @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2019 ) Minnesota 4, Detroit 3

Nelson Cruz looks to continue his power surge as the Minnesota Twins try moving closer to clinching the American League Central title when they visit the major league-worst Detroit Tigers for the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night. Cruz was 7-for-15 with three homers and eight RBIs in the four-game series against Kansas City over the weekend and went deep for the 400th time in his career Sunday in a 12-8 win at home.

“Maybe he picked the perfect day to do it,” Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli told reporters Sunday of Cruz, who has 40 homers and 105 RBIs this year. “It worked out great. We’re all honored to be here and witness it and enjoy the experience with him. He’s done a lot of great things. This is just the latest one, but it’s a very, very special one.” The Twins have a magic number of three as Jake Odorizzi takes the ball in the series opener and Detroit counters with fellow right-hander Spencer Turnbull, who has not won since May 31. The Tigers have dropped five of their past six contests, tied the second-most losses in club history (109) and need one victory in the series to avoid tying the major league record of 59 home defeats in a season by the 1939 St. Louis Browns. Victor Reyes is 7-for-18 during a four-game hitting streak and 14-for-32 versus the Twins this year while Dawel Lugo went 6-for-8 in the past two games and is 15-for-36 in the season series against Minnesota.

TV: 6:40 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Detroit

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jake Odorizzi (14-7, 3.59 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Spencer Turnbull (3-15, 4.66)

Odorizzi gets his fourth chance to add to his career high 14 victories after allowing two runs over 5 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts in a loss to the Chicago White Sox last Wednesday. The 29-year-old Illinois native has not given up more than three earned runs in his last nine starts and boasts 171 strikeouts across 153 innings. Christin Stewart is 5-for-10 versus Odorizzi, who is 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in three starts against Detroit in 2019.

Turnbull is winless in his last 16 trips to the mound, but limited Cleveland to just one run on six hits with eight strikeouts over five innings of a no-decision last Wednesday. The 27-year-old University of Alabama product is 0-2 with an 8.27 ERA in four starts this month, but has served up one homer across 16 1/3 innings. Jason Castro is 2-for-5 with a homer against Turnbull, who is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in two starts versus Minnesota this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Detroit OF Harold Castro is batting .355 in September and has hit safely in his last five contests.

2. Minnesota 3B Miguel Sano is 7-for-14 with three homers and eight RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

3. Twins C Mitch Garver (right hip tightness) was removed as a precaution from Sunday’s contest and is considered day-to-day.

PREDICTION: Twins 5, Tigers 3