1) With the Twins off today, the Tigers are in prime position for a three-game sweep of hapless Cleveland, which would push the Twins three games back in the AL Central. The Indians have lost 10 straight, and at 6:05 p.m. (Central), it’s Justin Verlander (16-9, 3.44 ERA) vs. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 9.64).

2) Rick Porcello, who is scheduled to pitch opposite Twins righty Nick Blackburn (corrected) on Monday in Detroit, held Cleveland to one run over five innings in Wednesday’s 11-3 victory. Porcello, only 20 years old, is 5-2 with a 3.38 ERA since Aug. 1.

Carlos Guillen, a switch-hitter who did not hit righthanded for two months because of a sore shoulder, had a breakthrough Wednesday. Batting righthanded, he hit a HR and a 2B off former Twins farmhand, LHP Mike Gosling. Manager Jim Leyland had said Guillen wouldn’t start against a LHP the rest of the way, but that performance could change things.

2.5) The Tigers are 13-4 against Cleveland this year, while the Twins finished 10-8 against the Indians. On Friday, the Tigers are scheduled to face Jake Peavy, when they open a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago.

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