The set-up: The Tigers had been held to four runs or less for seven straight games (going 2-5 in that stretch) but broke out with 13 hits in Wednesday's 9-6 victory over Minnesota. The victory pulls Detroit within a single game of the second AL wild card spot. The Tigers look to capture their four-game series this afternoon with the Minnesota Twins, ahead of heading to Cleveland this weekend for a three-game series in Cleveland to take on the 81-61 first-place Indians. The Twins own MLB's worst record at 54-92, as well as its worst road record (25-46).

The pitching matchup: Hector Santiago (11-8, 4.75 ERA) takes the mound for the Twins and Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 4.76 ERA) makes his first start since July 31 due to a bad back for the Tigers. Santiago was 7-1 over his final 12 starts with the Angels (LA was 10-2) but he's just 1-4 with a 6.34 ERA in seven starts since joining the Twins at the trade deadline (Twins are 2-5). However, he is trending in the right direction, going 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA over his last three appearances (Twins are 2-1). Pelfrey was signed by Detroit to a two-year deal worth $11 million as a free agent after Minnesota let him go last winter and was expected to be a solid part of Detroit's starting rotation in 2016. Pelfrey last pitched July 31 at Houston but a back strain placed him on the disabled list. He was activated to pitch out of the bullpen September 5 but has not appeared since his last start.

The pick: The Twins are having an awful season, with not only MLB's worst overall record but the Twins now also own MLB's worst moneyline mark at minus-$2793. Meanwhile, not only are the Tigers right back in the thick of the wild card race but they are also a solid "money-maker" for the betting public, owning MLB's third-best moneyline mark of plus-$1341. The Tigers have won 12 of 15 matchups with the Twins in 2016 and have had at least 10 hits in nine of those games. Detroit is an 8* play.