Liriano leaves start against Tigers in fourth inning; team says he's sick

DETROIT -- The Twins pulled Francisco Liriano from tonight's start in the fourth inning, saying it was because of a non-baseball related illness. The lefthander has been sick.

Liriano, the team's scheduled starter for Game 1 of the Division Series, opened the game with three scoreless innings before Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer in the fourth.

After Liriano walked Jhonny Peralta, pitching coach Rick Anderson and trainer Rick McWane went to the mound, and Manager Ron Gardenhire eventually joined them, before Liriano left the game.

Shortstop Alexi Casilla left the game at the same time. The Twins say he's sick, too.

Jeff Manship came on to pitch, and Trevor Plouffe took over at shortstop.

FROM EARLIER

A moment ago, I caught myself. I was about to write how it's looking more and more like the Twins will play the Yankees in the first round.

The Rays made an important move by winning the past two nights at Yankee Stadium. Though the Rays trails by a half-game, they will win the AL East if they finish in a tie with the Yankees because they won the season series 10-8. The schedule favors Tampa Bay, too:

Yankees: vs. Boston (3), @ Toronto (3), @ Boston (3)

Rays: vs. Seattle (3), vs. Baltimore (3), @ Kansas City (4)

The Twins will face the runner-up in that race, and it sure looks like that will be the Yankees. So I was about to write that (and actually, I just did), but then it hit me. One year ago, right here at Comerica Park, the Twins were pretty much left for dead after falling three games behind Detroit with four games to play. We all know how that turned out, so I'm done assuming anything.

Besides, the Twins have enough to worry about, regardless of whom they play in the Division Series. Right now, Minnesota has the AL's best record (MLB's best record, actually) which would mean home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. Tonight, it's Francisco Liriano vs. Justin Verlander. Updates on Joe Mauer (knee), Denard Span (shoulder), and Justin Morneau (concussion) to come.

Update: Mauer had a cortisone shot in his left knee Wednesday and will not play in this series. Monday is a possibility, but Manager Ron Gardenhire said that will depend on how Mauer's knee feels.

Jim Thome is a little stiff today, Gardenhire said.

Alexi Casilla is getting the start at shortstop over J.J. Hardy to get another lefthanded bat (Casilla is a switch-hitter) against Verlander. Gardenhire said the other good thing is it gives Hardy a day not to swing, though his wrist feels good enough to play.

Denard Span did have an MRI exam for his right shoulder on Thursday, but Gardenhire said that was part of his routine end-of-year physical. Span is in the lineup. The MRI didn't show anything of concern.

On his weekly radio spot (AM-1500) Gardenhire was asked for a Morneau update and said, "I don't see how [a September or October return] can possibly happen for him. ... I hope I'm wrong."

TWINS (92-60)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Orlando Hudson, 2B
3. Jason Kubel, DH
4. Michael Cuddyer, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Danny Valencia, 3B
7. Jose Morales, C
8. Ben Revere, RF
9. Alexi Casilla, SS

Starting pitcher: LH Francisco Liriano (14-9, 3.44 ERA)

TIGERS (77-75)

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Scott Sizemore, 2B
3. Ryan Raburn, LF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. Casper Wells, RF
7. Brennan Boesch, DH
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Gerald Laird, C

Starting pitcher: RH Justin Verlander (17-8, 3.46 ERA)

Comerica Park. First pitch: 6:05 p.m. (Central). Twins Radio Network