Twins and Tigers Set for Deciding Game in Sunday Night Baseball Showdown
The Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers will face off in a high-stakes rubber match Sunday night at Comerica Park, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. After splitting the first two games of the series, both teams will send their best available starters to the mound in what promises to be a compelling pitching duel.
Series Recap & Pitching Matchup
- Friday: Twins took Game 1 with a 4-1 victory behind strong pitching
- Saturday: Tigers roared back with a 10-5 offensive explosion
- Sunday: Series finale features:
- MIN: RHP Chris Paddack (3-6, 4.64 ERA)
- DET: LHP Tarik Skubal (9-2, 2.29 ERA) – AL Cy Young candidate
Betting Odds & Projections
According to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Money Line: Tigers -300 (heavy favorites) | Twins +236 (underdogs)
- Run Total: Over/Under set at 7.5 runs
- Model Watch: The SportsLine Projection Model (41-32 on top MLB picks this season) has been particularly accurate on home run props (+22 units profit)
Key Factors in Sunday’s Game
- Skubal’s Dominance: The Tigers’ ace has been nearly unhittable this season with his 2.29 ERA and 9-2 record. Left-handed batters are hitting just .198 against him.
- Twins’ Road Struggles: Minnesota is 17-24 away from Target Field this season
- Bullpen Status: Both teams used multiple relievers in Saturday’s slugfest, potentially impacting late-game decisions
- Weather: Clear skies expected with game-time temperature around 72°F – ideal baseball conditions
What’s at Stake
- Tigers (52-32): Look to maintain their lead in the AL Central
- Twins (40-43): Trying to climb back to .500 and stay in wild card contention
The game will feature two teams heading in opposite directions – Detroit chasing a division title while Minnesota fights to stay relevant in the playoff picture. With Skubal on the mound and home field advantage, the Tigers enter as substantial favorites, but the Twins have shown they can compete against top pitching.