(SportsNetwork.com) - The Detroit Tigers try to pad their lead in the American League Central on Monday when they begin a three-game series with the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Detroit comes into the contest holding a 1 1/2-game lead on the Kansas City Royals in the division and with 10 of its final 13 games coming against the bottom two teams in the AL Central a fourth straight title may be a fait accompli.
"Every game is huge," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Every game we play matters. Every game Kansas City plays matters."
The Tigers flexed their muscles this weekend by sweeping the Cleveland Indians and have won six of their last seven following Sunday's 6-4 triumph.
Detroit's roll could continue on Monday behind reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, who is 16-5 with a 3.19 ERA. Scherzer beat the Royals on Tuesday, as he held them to one run and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings.
A win tonight would tie Scherzer with Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starter Jered Weaver for the most wins in the American League. Scherzer, of course, led the AL a year ago with 21 victories.
Scherzer has beaten the Twins the last five times he has faced them and is 8-2 lifetime against them with a 4.48 ERA in 14 starts.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with righty Anthony Swarzak, who has pitched mostly in relief this season for the Twins. Swarzak has compiled a 3-1 mark with a 3.95 ERA in 47 appearances (1 start). He allowed one run in five innings of a spot start against the Indians back on July 23.
"I don't worry about Swarzy," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He can go. He'll tell you he can keep going and he'll tell us, also, when he's about out of gas. We're going to hold him back, hopefully he won't have to go today and we'll go from there."
Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday with a 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. It was only the second win in the last 10 games for the Twins.
Detroit has split its 12 matchups with the Twins this season.
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