The Twins have a chance to pull within one game of the Tigers if they can complete the series sweep at the Metrodome this afternoon. Otherwise, they’ll trail Detroit by three games with 13 contests remaining, including four head-to-head matchups at Comerica Park.

A victory would also extend the Twins season-long winning streak to seven games and move the Twins

Before the game, manager Ron Gardenhire said that Joe Crede will have another back surgery next week so the third baseman is officially done for the year. It’s a tough thing for  Crede, as it’s his third surgery in three years to repair a herniated L5 disk in his lower back. He’s obviously frustrated by the whole thing and for a guy who plays as hard as he does, you can’t help but feel for him as he gets set to undergo yet another procedure.

Another bit of news that Gardenhire passed along is that the Twins won’t alter their pitching rotation following Thursday’s off day. So here is how the pitching matchups will look for the upcoming 10-game roadtrip.

Chicago: Nick Blackburn, Jeff Manship, Brian Duensing
Kansas City: Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Blackburn
Detroit: Manship, Duensing, Pavano, Baker

Here are today’s lineups:

Tigers (78-70)
1st place in AL Central
Curtis Granderson, CF
Placido Polanco, 2B
Marcus Thames, DH
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Magglio Ordonez, RF
Carlos Guillen, LF
Brandon Inge, 3B
Gerald Laird, C
Ramon Santiago, SS
Pitching: LHP Nate Robertson (1-2, 5.35)

Twins (76-72)
2nd place in AL Central, 2 games back
Denard Span, CF
Orlando Cabrera, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Delmon Young, LF
Brendan Harris, DH
Matt Tolbert, 3B
Nick Punto, 2B
Pitching: RHP Scott Baker (13-8, 4.35)

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