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Minneosta Twins vs Detroit Tigers Weekend Series Preview

By Scott Wessels

Apr 23, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins Set Sights on Closest Team in AL Central Standings

Baby steps. That’s what this season needs to be broken down into. The Detroit Tigers sit 4.5 games above the Twins in the AL Central standings, the closest team to Minnesota. A well-played 3 game weekend series at Target Field against their closest rivals can help bring the Twins back to the pack, record-wise.

Former manager Tom Kelly was fond of breaking the season into quarters, telling his team not to get too up or down, just play hard this quarter. Within each quarter, he’d set goals for the next ten games.

He preached the “one game at a time” philosophy hard into the young Twins of the 1980’s. That even keel helped them to overcome slow starts (4-10 in 1991) and still play into the post-season.

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The 2016 version, now sitting at 7-15, needs to compartmentalize the season into smaller chunks, and they can start by winning series against division rivals, like this weekend’s tilt against Detroit.

Detroit (11-10) has had their struggles this season too, outside of games started by Jordan Zimmermann (4-0, 0.35 ERA). Starter Shane Greene hit the DL with a blister on his pitching hand, forcing Detroit to debut their top pitching prospect, Michael Fulmer.

The Twins will hope that Fulmer has a few butterflies in his stomach in his major league debut, like Jose Berrios did. Getting a win Friday will help bolster their confidence in facing the formidable Zimmermann on Saturday.

After a cold, rainy week that the Twins survived with just one weather delay, this weekend’s game will be cloudy, but at least into the 60’s. Miguel Sano said his bat heats up with the weather, hopefully 60 is warm enough. Sano returns to right field for tonight’s game, with Eduardo Nunez going back to third base.

Next: Series Breakdown

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