Twins look to keep home cooking going with Tigers in town
Things have been pointing up for the Minnesota Twins this season, especially at Target Field. With the Detroit Tigers coming to town, there's no reason to think that trend won't continue.
The Twins have the best home winning percentage in the American League at 28-15 (.651 winning percentage). That's quite a turnaround over the last few years. Minnesota's home winning percentage from 2011-14 was .404. In 2010, the initial season at Target Field, the Twins won at a 65.4 percent clip.
One reason for Minnesota's stellar play has been defense.
FEWEST ERRORS SINCE JUNE 12
| TEAM | ERRORS |
| Twins | 7 |
| Dodgers | 7 |
| Mariners | 8 |
| Indians | 10 |
| Orioles | 10 |
Detroit is just behind Minnesota in the standings, but playing without Miguel Cabrera, who is on the disabled list for the first time in his career after straining his calf last Friday.
Interestingly, the Tigers offense has taken a slight uptick without the All-Star first baseman, but that hasn't meant victories.
TIGERS WITH/WITHOUT MIGUEL CABRERA IN 2015
| WITH | WITHOUT | |
| Runs/game | 4.47 | 5.43 |
| Batting avg. | .280 | .291 |
| HR/game | 0.88 | 1.86 |
| W-L | 40-37 | 3-4 |
The opening matchup between David Price and Mike Pelfrey proves to be an interesting one. Detroit has had great success with Price on the mound while Pelfrey has sparkled at Target Field.
TIGERS STARTING PITCHING IN 2015
| Price |
Others |
|
| Team W-L | 14-3 | 29-38 |
| ERA | 2.54 | 5.02 |
| HR/9 IP | 0.69 | 1.31 |
| K/BB ratio | 4.86 | 2.16 |
LOWEST HOME ERA FOR AL PITCHERS
| PITCHER | TEAM | ERA |
| Dallas Keuchel | Houston | 1.24 |
| Scott Kazmir | Oakland | 1.40 |
| Mike Pelfrey | Minnesota | 1.80 |
| Ubaldo Jimenez | Baltimore | 2.06 |
| Drew Hutchison |
Toronto | 2.12 |
Other notes:
-- Games involving the Tigers average 9.15 runs combined, the third-highest total in the majors behind the Blue Jays (9.84) and Rockies (9.49).
-- Detroit's J.D. Martinez enters the Thursday having hit 15 home runs in his last 26 games. He has the most home runs in the majors since June 7.
-- Since June 24, a span of 13 games, new Tigers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler has more home runs (1) than walks (0).
-- In 2014, Brian Dozier hit .306 with five home runs, 18 RBI and 18 walks with a 1.098 OPS in 18 games against Detroit. Thus far in 2015, in eight games Dozier is batting just .250 with one RBI and a .608 OPS.
Statistics via STATS, Inc.
