The Twins' 3-2 in in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader pulls Minnesota to within a game of Detroit, and the nightcap of the twinbill should be another low-scoring contest.
Runs were extremely hard to come by in the first game of the doubleheader between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers; and the second one shouldn’t be any different.
Taking the mound for the Tigers is one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, Justin Verlander. His numbers this season have been simply staggering; in 224.1 innings pitched he is 17-9 with a 3.41 ERA, 256 strikeouts, and a 1.19 WHIP.
Verlander’s numbers have been substantially stronger at home, where in 14 starts he has pitched 99.2 innings and is 8-2 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .216 batting average against and 111 strikeouts.
Up against Verlander is Brian Duensing, who was brought into the closing role because of injuries and has completely flourished in it.
In eight starts this season, Duensing has never failed to go five innings and has never surrendered more than three earned runs. He has given up three earned runs twice, two earned runs twice, one earned once, and zero earned three times. His dazzling 3-0 September with a 1.74 ERA in five starts is one of the major reasons the Twins are still in the race.
With only a few games remaining on the schedule, today’s doubleheader is monumental, and both pitchers should be extremely focused and ready to compete. Expect another low scoring game in Game 2 and go with the under.
Free Pick: Twins-Tigers Under 8 (-105)