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Twins-Tigers Preview

Sep 25, 2010 - 4:15 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Minnesota (92-60) at Detroit (77-75), 7:05 p.m. EDT

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said it was a deliberate choice to make Carl Pavano his No. 2 starter for the AL division series despite leading the team in wins.

Now, he wants to make sure the right-hander is healthy heading into the playoffs.

Set to make his first start in more than a week, Pavano will try to match a career high with his 18th win as Minnesota continues its three-game series against the Detroit Tigers.

Pavano (17-11, 3.60 ERA) returns to the mound for the first time since Sept. 16, when he gave up five runs and eight hits - including three homers - in five innings of an 8-5 win over the White Sox. It was his shortest outing in nine starts, but he moved within one victory of his career high, set in 2004 with Florida.

Pavano had been bothered by a stiff neck recently, so the Twins (92-61) decided to give him some extra rest this week as they set their rotation for the playoffs. Pavano will start Game 2, with Gardenhire counting on the veteran's experience to be key to their postseason run.

"Pav knows what he's doing," Gardenhire told the Twins' official website. "For (Francisco) Liriano, this is going to be his first shot at (the postseason). ... Knowing that you have the next guy coming in that controls everything in Pav is a good situation to have. Go with Liriano first and Pav could probably settle the ship down or add on."

Pavano has certainly pitched well against Detroit, going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA in two starts at Comerica Park this season. Over his career, he is 5-2 with a 2.97 ERA against the Tigers.

The Twins look to bounce back from a 10-1 loss in Friday's series opener. Minnesota couldn't manage much against Justin Verlander, who struck out 11 while pitching a four-hitter. Liriano lasted three innings before exiting with an illness along with shortstop Alexei Casilla.

"I've never had two guys get sick on the mound at the same time before," Gardenhire said.

Minnesota, which has won 20 of 26, is tied with Tampa Bay for the best record in the AL.

The Tigers (78-75) had 13 hits Friday including home runs by Miguel Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta and Casper Wells to win for the sixth time in seven games.

Cabrera had three hits to boost his average to .329 with 36 homers and 122 RBIs. He needs one homer and five RBIs to match career highs set in 2008.

Jeremy Bonderman (8-9, 4.92) will take the mound for Detroit, looking to win his third straight decision.

He gave up three runs - one earned - and walked five in 5 2-3 innings of a 9-7, 11-inning win over Chicago on Sunday. The Tigers have won four of his last five starts during which he's posted a 3.09 ERA.

The right-hander is 2-0 against Minnesota this season despite a 5.56 ERA.

Jim Thome, who could be back in the lineup Saturday after sitting out the previous game with back stiffness, is 8 for 26 against Bonderman with four homers.