When: 7:40 pm Monday.
Where: Target Field in Minneapolis.
TV: Bally Sports Detroit.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) (Tigers radio affiliates).
First-pitch forecast: High-70s, partly cloudy.
Probable pitchers: Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal (7-8, 3.67 ERA) vs. Twins TBA.
Lineup:
CF Riley Greene
RF Victor Reyes
1B Harold Castro
DH Miguel Cabrera
3B Jeimer Candelario
2B Jonathan Schoop
SS Willi Castro
C Tucker Barnhart
LF Akil Baddoo
P Tarik Skubal
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Game notes: The Tigers opened the series after dropping three of four to the Toronto Blue Jays; former Minnesota ace Jose Berríos got the win in the finale. The AL Central-leading Twins (yes, STILL, somehow) enter after dropping two out of three to the San Diego Padres, who themselves lost two out of three to the Tigers last week.
Could this be Skubal’s last start in a Tigers uniform? No one, except maybe Riley Greene, is off limits as the trade deadline nears, but it will likely take multiple top projects for Detroit to deal a young, explosive left-handed pitcher such as Skubal — despite his June struggles.
Skubal has not given up an earned run in his past two starts (12 innings), although the Tigers’ spotty defense has allowed three unearned runs in that span. He’s off his Cy Young pace to start the season, but Skubal’s July ERA of 3.45 was much better than his June ERA of 5.85. This will be his third start of the season vs. the first-place Twins. He was rocked for seven hits and six runs (five earned) over five innings to end his April then shut the Twins down to open June: seven shutout innings with six strikeouts and two hits allowed.
The teams have a night game Tuesday before wrapping things up in Minneapolis with a day game Wednesday.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers lineup vs. Twins: Javier Báez off day; SS Willi Castro