Sunday: Tigers vs. Twins

Happy first day of summer. What, it’s August? Well, you couldn’t tell by the last couple months.

Jim Leyland talked last night about getting more right-handed hitters into his lineup against Twins right-hander Scott Baker, who’s giving up a higher average (.262) and OPS (.800) from the right side than the left this season. That gives a first start of the series to Marcus Thames, 5-for-16 lifetime off Baker with three home runs. That said, Carlos Guillen is 8-for-21 for his career off Baker, while Curtis Granderson has four homers in 37 at-bats off him (nine hits).

Minnesota, meanwhile, keeps three of its prominent left-handed hitters in the lineup against lefty Jarrod Washburn with Denard Span, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. Mauer isn’t catching, but he’s the designated hitter.

Forecasting a temperature in the upper 80s by first pitch and into the 90s as the game moves along.

TIGERS

1. Curtis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Marcus Thames, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Magglio Ordonez, RF
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Gerald Laird, C
9. Ramon Santiago, SS

P: Jarrod Washburn

TWINS

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Cabrera, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Michael Cuddyer, RF
6. Delmon Young, LF
7. Mike Redmond, C
8. Nick Punto, 3B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B

P: Scott Baker