Twins-Detroit series preview

RHP Kyle Gibson (3-2, 2.97 ERA) vs. RHP Alfredo Simon (4-1, 3.44)

RHP Ricky Nolasco (2-1, 9.00) vs. LHP Kyle Lobstein (3-2, 3.00)

RHP Mike Pelfrey (3-0, 2.62) vs. RHP Anibal Sanchez (2-4, 5.44)

The Twins, swept in three games at Detroit to start 2015, are 1-5 against the Tigers this season and have been outscored 39-15. … With 65 runs, the Twins ead the major leagues in scoring in May and have more than twice as many runs as the Tigers (30). They rank fourth in scoring for the season. … They are 8-2 in May and are 12-4 in their past 16 games. They are 6-9 on the road but have won four of their past five. … Gibson has pitched 17 consecutive scoreless innings and is within five of his career-high of 22. … In his last visit to Detroit, Nolasco gave up six runs in three innings April 8, then went on the disabled list because of elbow inflammation. … 1B Joe Mauer is 8-for-14 all-time against Tigers closer Joakim Soria.

Detroit is 9-7 at home but dropped its past two to first-place Kansas City and has been outscored 69-67 at Comerica Park. Considering the Tigers outscored the Twins 22-1 in their season-opening series, they have been outscored 68-45 at home by all other opponents. … They opened the season by winning 11 of their first 13 games, but they are 8-11 since then. … LHP David Price was originally scheduled to pitch Thursday, but the former Cy Young Award winner suffered a mild hamstring strain when he tripped over a bat Friday, and the Tigers will bump his start to Saturday against St. Louis for extra healing time. … RHP Justin Verlander, RHP Joe Nathan, RHP Bruce Rondon and C Alex Avila are on the disabled list. … Detroit has hit only three home runs in May and none since Wednesday.

PHIL MILLER