This is a 1* Free Play on the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers send Rick Porcello (15-11, 3.23 ERA) to the hill in search of his 16th victory; Porcello pitched well, but was handed his 11th loss despite holding the Royals to just two runs over 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday. Porcello has to be feeling pretty confident in a bounce back here, the right-hander is 8-6 with a solid 3.84 ERA lifetime vs. the Twins. Minnesota counters with Ricky Nolasco (5-11, 5.64 ERA); Nolasco took his fifth straight loss Thursday despite allowing just a single run over seven innings against the Indians. Note that the Twins have lost each of Nolasco's last seven starts and I think he'll have his hands full with the hard-hitting Tigers today, note that in his only start against Detroit he gave up nine hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings. The Tigers have won four in row and seven of eight coming in; conversely, Minnesota has won just twice in its last 10 games and is in full on rebuilding and prospects mode at this point of the season. The Tigers are still in a division race and will look to take advantage of a Twins team which has gone just 30-43 at Target Field (note that Detroit is 42-33 as a visitor this year). It is no surprise to learn that the Tigers are 16-9 versus the Twins the last three seasons and I think we see that gap widen; consider taking DETROIT as a moderate size road favorite.

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