MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Twins are a team in transition as they open the season by hosting the reigning American League champion Detroit Tigers for a three-game series in frigid conditions, starting Monday.
Veteran stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau begin 2013 healthy and Josh Willingham had a strong first season in Minnesota, but the rest is a work in progress for the Twins as they mix in young players such as center fielder Aaron Hicks.
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The Tigers are picked my many experts to return to the World Series with Prince Fielder and 2012 AL MVP Miguel Cabrera leading the way in the middle of a powerful lineup. Detroit also adds designated hitter Victor Martinez, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and former Twin Torii Hunter.
Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the 2011 AL MVP, gets the opening day start for the sixth straight year.
TV: 4:10 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit, Fox Sports North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Tigers RH Justin Verlander (2012: 17-8, 2.64 ERA) vs. Twins RH Vance Worley (6-9, 4.20)
Verlander, coming off his sixth straight 200-inning season, signed a $180 million contract extension recently and attempts to record a victory on Opening Day for the first time (0-1). He pitched eight shutout innings in the first game of 2012, but Jose Valverde blew the save before the Tigers won. Verlander was 6-1 in his last 11 starts of the 2012 regular season. He is 12-7 lifetime against Minnesota, with a 3.21 ERA in 154 innings.
Worley was acquired in December from the Philadelphia Phillies in a deal for outfielder Ben Revere and takes a key role in the rotation. He was 18-13 in three seasons with the Phillies, boasting a 3.50 ERA, and has never faced the Tigers. Worley normally uses four pitches and throws in the low 90s. He struggled a bit in the spring, finishing with a 5.73 ERA over 22 innings - striking out 13 and walking only three.
WALK-OFFS
1. With promising fire-balling reliever Bruce Rondon sent to the minors after a shaky spring, the Tigers will close games by committee.
2. Mauer is 20-for-57 (.351) against Verlander with three homers, nine RBIs and a .456 on-base percentage.
3. Tigers LF Quintin Berry, who was 21-of-21 in stolen bases and batted .258 in 94 games last season, was demoted to Triple-A Toledo.