The Detroit Tigers open up their six-game road trip on Friday night in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Twins in an early-season battle between two American League Central foes.

The Tigers have looked solid so far, weathering through a season-opening sweep at the Los Angeles Dodgers to take two of three from the Seattle Mariners in T-Mobile Park. They then opened up their home schedule with a three-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, followed by two of three from the New York Yankees.

Unfortunately, AJ Hinch’s team could not finish the sweep, but Detroit still sits in first place a half-game ahead of the Kansas City Royals heading into Friday. Yes, we are only 12 games into the season, and yes, we are going to savor all the positive moments.

The Twinkies have struggled so far, opening up the season with four-straight losses before righting the ship in the final two games of the ChiSox series. They would earn just two more wins — one against the Houston Astros and one against the Royals — before facing the OIde English D.

Take a look below at the pitching matchup for Friday night’s AL Central clash between the Tigers and Twins. Note that the broadcast is limited to Apple TV+.

Detroit Tigers (7-5) vs. Minnesota Twins (4-9)

Time (ET): 8:10 p.m.

Place: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

SB Nation Site: Twinkie Town

Media: Apple TV+, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Player IP K% BB% FIP fWAR Player IP K% BB% FIP fWAR Olson 10.2 22.2 11.1 3.76 0.1 Festa (2024) 64.1 27.8 8.3 3.76 1.1

Game 13: RHP Reese Olson (1-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. RHP David Festa (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

OLSON

FESTA

Olson toes the rubber for the third time this season on Friday night after mixed results in his first two starts. Against the Dodgers, he only lasted 4 2⁄3 innings before giving up four runs on four hits (and a homer) plus a pair of walks while striking out five to take the loss.

The 25-year-old bounced back next time out against the White Sox, tossing six frames of two-run ball on seven hits and three walks while striking out another five. Olson earned the quality start and the first win of the season thanks to that effort.

Festa makes his first start of the 2025 campaign against the Tigers following a perfectly cromulent rookie season last year. The 6-foot-6-inch, 185-pound right-hander posted a healthy FIP, but his hefty 1.32 WHIP left a lot to be desired.

The 25-year-old prospect was called up on Thursday to make the start. Festa was a 13th-round pick of the Twins back in the 2021 MLB draft, having played in college with the Seton Hall Pirates.