The Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins renew their AL Central rivalry on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Comerica Park with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Drew Anderson gets the ball for Detroit against Minnesota's Dean Kremer in what figures to be a pivotal late-season divisional contest. With September in full swing and every game carrying extra weight in a tight AL Central race, the Tigers need to protect home turf. Coverage is available on Detroit SportsNet and WXYT 97.1 FM.

Starting Pitchers: Drew Anderson vs. Dean Kremer

Anderson draws the assignment for Detroit in what is a significant spot in the rotation. Without available ERA or win-loss figures entering the start, what matters most is the command and the game plan he brings against a Minnesota lineup that can make contact and grind at-bats. Anderson will need to work efficiently and keep the Twins' middle of the order — Ryan Jeffers, Josh Bell, and Royce Lewis — from doing damage in the later innings when games like this typically get decided.

On the visiting side, Dean Kremer makes the trip to Detroit representing a Twins club leaning on their pitching depth down the stretch. Kremer's ability to mix looks and keep Detroit's lineup off-balance will be the key variable for Minnesota's chances of leaving Comerica Park with a win.

Detroit Tigers Starting Lineup

• Kevin McGonigle, SS
• Gleyber Torres, 2B
• Colt Keith, 1B
• Riley Greene, DH
• Eduardo Valencia, C
• Brett Callahan, LF
• Max Clark, CF
• Hao-Yu Lee, 3B
• Zach McKinstry, RF

Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup

• Luke Keaschall, RF
• Brooks Lee, 3B
• Kody Clemens, 2B
• Ryan Jeffers, C
• Josh Bell, DH
• Royce Lewis, 1B
• Trevor Larnach, LF
• Kaelen Culpepper, SS
• Walker Jenkins, CF

Keys to Watch

• Colt Keith and Riley Greene protection: The heart of Detroit's lineup — Keith at third in the order and Greene cleaning up at DH — will be the engine. If Kremer can neutralize both, Minnesota has a real shot at silencing Comerica Park.
• McGonigle setting the table: The young shortstop leading off gives the Tigers a dynamic presence at the top. How he handles Kremer early will set the tone for the entire Detroit half of innings.
• Royce Lewis in the six-hole: Lewis is a legitimate threat even tucked in at sixth in the Twins' order. Anderson cannot afford to let him beat him with runners on base.
• Bullpen management: September rosters are expanded and both sides have arms available. How quickly each manager goes to the pen — and who they trust in leverage situations — could decide a tight game.
• Walker Jenkins at the bottom: The young center fielder hitting ninth for Minnesota is worth watching. Bottom-of-the-order production from a developing player can flip lineup turns in a hurry.

Prediction

This is a divisional game in September at Comerica Park, and the Tigers need to treat it like every run matters — because it does. Detroit has the lineup construction to put pressure on Kremer early, and if Anderson can give the Tigers five or six competitive innings, the home bullpen and the crowd advantage should carry the rest. Tigers win a tight one, 4-2.