Detroit Tigers game vs. Minnesota Twins: Time, TV channel, lineup for series opener

Detroit Tigers (51-53) vs. Minnesota Twins (56-45)

When: 6:40 p.m. Friday

Where: Comerica Park in Detroit.

TV: Bally Sports Detroit (Have Xfinity but still looking for a way to watch BSD? Here are some other options .)

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1). ( Tigers radio affiliates ).

Probable pitchers: Tigers RHP Keider Montero (1-3, 5.97 ERA) vs. Twins RHP Pablo López (8-7, 4.86).

Weather: Sunny, high 70s.

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• Box score

Tigers lineup :

1. Wenceel Pérez, RF.

2. Justyn-Henry Malloy, DH.

3. Colt Keith, 2B.

4. Mark Canha, LF.

5. Matt Vierling, CF.

6. Bligh Madris, 1B.

7. Carson Kelly, C.

8. Gio Urshela, 3B.

9. Javier Báez, SS.

RHP Keider Montero.

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Game notes: The Detroit Tigers have not lost a series since they were beaten by the Minnesota Twins, 12-3, in the rubber match of a three game series on July 4. Since that loss, the Tigers are 12-5 with a sweep, a 3-1 series win over the Guardians, series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, and a 2-2 split against the Guardians.

Now, the Tigers will have a chance to prove they're a different team than the one who was beat by nine runs on July 4 when they face the Twins again this weekend.

The Tigers have done all this winning recently amidst a rash of injuries to their starting rotations. They're currently down three starters – although only two are out from injuries, as Kenta Maeda was taken out of the rotation because of poor play – and are relying heavily on the bullpen, including two games last series against the Guardians that the bullpen was used from start-to-finish.

With that being said, the Tigers will need, if anything, as many innings as rookie starting pitcher Keider Montero can provide as they return to Comerica Park for their first game at home since July 14.

Montero has struggled in his last two outings, allowing five runs in each of the games and 15 hits combined over the two showings. The rookie right-hander has shown flashes this year, including a 6⅓ outing where he gave up no runs and just three hits earlier this month, but needs to tighten the screws after giving opponents too many opportunities, which the Blue Jays turned into two home runs last time he was on the mound.

The good news for the Tigers? Montero has gone at least five innings in every start that he's had in July after not hitting the five-inning mark in either of his first two career outings.

After Montero's start Friday, the Tigers will play the Twins two more times at Comerica Park as they try and close the gap on their American League-Central rivals who are currently 6.5 games ahead of them.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers game vs. Minnesota Twins: Time, TV channel, lineup for series opener