A few quick notes on the Tigers, who open a three-game series at the Metrodome on Friday but first must face Zack Greinke in today’s matinee against the Royals in Detroit (first pitch 12:05 p.m., Central):

1) The Tigers are 9-8 against the Royals this season and had a five-game losing streak in the series before Wednesday night’s victory.

2) Greinke is 2-1 with a 1.16 ERA in four starts against the Tigers this season.

3) The Tigers counter with Edwin Jackson. He’s had a breakout season but is 2-1 with a 5.47 ERA in his past four starts.

4) Detroit dodged a bullet in the eighth-inning Wednesday. The Tigers led 4-3, but the Royals had runners on second and third with no outs before RHP Brandon Lyon relieved LHP Bobby Seay and made a Houdini-like escape. Billy Butler grounded back to the pitcher, Mike Jacobs struck out and Albert Callaspo popped up to end the inning.

4 1/2) Fernando Rodney returned from his two-game suspension to record the save. He was suspended for firing a ball into the press box in Tampa Bay.

Note: Detroit’s lead over the Twins will be either four games or five games, depending on Thursday’s outcome. We’ll have lots more advancing the Twins/Tigers series in tonight’s first editions.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 9:45 am and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.